A trial of satellite technology to track criminals, such as home detainees, has been given a 50:50 chance of success by the Corrections Department, which says widescale use of the equipment is unlikely.
Current electronic monitoring establishes only whether an offender is at home, but new GPS equipment can offer far more detailed tracking and help restrict offenders from specified areas.
Community probation officers are putting the equipment through its paces, but have found its accuracy is limited.
General manager Katrina Casey says the cost - more than $10,000 per offender per year - is another concern.
She says widescale use of the equipment is unlikely and it is a 50:50 call on whether the kit is tested on offenders.
