Recent data obtained by CBC News reveals that over 60% of individuals released with ankle monitors in Manitoba since their introduction in August 2024 were rearrested or violated their release conditions. The Justice Minister’s office reported that out of 530 people released through the program until October 16, 2025, 243 were rearrested for various breaches, 53 absconded by removing the device, and 16 damaged the strap. Additionally, 12 individuals let the device’s battery die, while 11 had charges stayed, 19 were sentenced, and one was acquitted. Eight individuals had their monitoring conditions lifted, and unfortunately, one person passed away while wearing the device. As of the same date, 166 individuals were still being monitored with the ankle devices.
Justice Minister Matt Wiebe’s office, which had previously declined to disclose these statistics, provided the numbers to CBC News following a recent court hearing where the data was referenced to argue against releasing a man facing domestic violence-related charges, emphasizing the limitations of the program.
Prosecutors have highlighted concerns about the effectiveness of the ankle monitoring program, citing a “staggering” failure rate. Crown attorney Ben Wickstrom pointed out that the program’s success heavily depends on the device’s battery life and whether individuals tamper with or remove the device. Another Crown attorney, Colin Soul, mentioned a case where a person allegedly committed a crime while wearing an ankle monitor, leading to the denial of bail for the accused.
The ankle monitoring initiative was introduced in Manitoba to prevent repeat offenses and ensure compliance with release conditions. The devices utilize 24/7 GPS tracking and real-time communication features, including voice, audio, and vibration commands, to send alerts if someone enters restricted areas.
While the Justice Minister believes the program is successful due to its ability to track offenders quickly using GPS data, critics like criminal justice professor Michael Weinrath argue that the program has failed based on the latest statistics. Weinrath noted that including individuals still under monitoring in the failure rate skews the success numbers, with an actual failure rate of 89% if those individuals are excluded.
Defense lawyer Christopher Gamby suggested that defining the program’s success depends on one’s perspective, as detecting breaches can be viewed both as a failure and a success. Gamby also highlighted the program’s potential benefits in cases like domestic violence, where it can restrict an accused individual from approaching certain areas.
Despite the significant budget allocated to ankle monitoring, concerns persist regarding its effectiveness. While the Justice Minister maintains that the program is beneficial, others question its impact, suggesting that the funds could be better utilized to address underlying issues contributing to crime, such as addiction and mental health support.
As debates continue on the program’s efficacy and allocation of resources, Justice Minister Wiebe reiterated the province’s commitment to monitor and potentially expand the ankle monitoring program based on community demand and ongoing evaluation.
