3M wins NZ$80m monitoring contract with New Zealand government

The New Zealand Department of Corrections has selected 3M as its new electronic monitoring supplier across a range of sentences under the department's oversight.

Currently, there are over 3,500 offenders and defendants being monitored electronically within New Zealand across a range of programs, including home detention, electronic bail, community detention, and GPS monitoring.

Under the contract, 3M will provide solutions based on GPS and radio frequency technologies designed to monitor offenders and defendants.

Corrections Services National Commissioner Jeremy Lightfoot said the contract will bring new opportunities to support a reduction in reoffending and safer communities.

"The signing of the new contract with 3M will give us access to new and innovative technology that will allow us to monitor offenders and those on bail in the community more effectively," he said.

"As part of this contract, we envisage more use being made of GPS technology with offenders. This gives us increased tools to monitor an offender's whereabouts, and providing these offenders better access to work and rehabilitation programs.

"Offenders in work and rehabilitation programs reoffend less, and the flexibility that GPS gives us means breaches of bail or release conditions can be quickly responded to, therefore making our communities safer."

According to Lightfoot, 3M's GPS technology is expected to help the department reach its goal of a 25 percent reduction in reoffending by 2017.

3M's contract with the Department of Corrections is valued at NZ$80 million over the first five years, with a possible extension for up to three years.

"This is a significant contract, lasting until the end of the decade," Lightfoot said, highlighting that it is one of the largest electronic monitoring awards globally to date.

He also said that the department will make immediate savings, as 3M will supply a greater use of GPS monitoring equipment and services that would have cost the department an extra NZ$25 million over five years based on the existing contract with G4S, Buddi, and Chubb Security.

The contract with 3M locks in pricing for the five year term, Lightfoot said.

Lightfoot said there is still a "rigorous testing and transition regime to undergo" before the department will begin moving to the new system.

The rollout is expected to take nine months, with the first district expected to begin transition early next year.