Recent data obtained by CBC News reveals that over half of the individuals released with ankle monitors in Manitoba since their introduction in August 2024 were rearrested or violated their release conditions. According to the justice minister’s office, 530 individuals were released under this program up to October 16, 2025. Out of these, 243 were rearrested for breaching conditions or committing new crimes, 53 removed the device and absconded, 16 damaged the strap, and 12 allowed the battery to die, accounting for just over 60% of the total.
Moreover, charges were stayed for 11 individuals, 19 were sentenced, one was acquitted, 8 had their monitoring conditions removed, and unfortunately, one individual passed away while wearing the device. As of October 16, there were still 166 individuals being monitored with ankle monitors.
The disclosure of these statistics follows a previous refusal by the province to provide this information, with the data being made available after CBC News obtained similar figures during a recent bail hearing. During the hearing, a Crown attorney referenced these statistics to argue against releasing an individual accused of domestic violence-related charges, ultimately leading to the denial of bail for the accused.
At another recent bail hearing for an alleged prolific shoplifter, a Crown attorney went further, labeling the program’s failure rate as “staggering.” The attorney highlighted a case where an individual was accused of theft from a drugstore while wearing an ankle monitor, emphasizing the limitations of the program.
Discussing the success of the ankle monitoring program in Manitoba, criminal justice professor Michael Weinrath expressed concerns over the program’s effectiveness based on the latest data. Despite differing opinions on the program’s success, the debate continues on whether the ankle monitoring initiative truly serves its intended purpose.
While the program faces scrutiny for its reported failure rates, it remains a topic of debate among legal professionals and experts. The future of ankle monitoring in Manitoba will depend on ongoing evaluations and assessments to ensure its efficacy in promoting public safety and compliance with legal conditions.