Bill offers better support for ex-offenders

Convicted criminals are to be given better support to help them remain integrated in society and avoid detention.

Under a new law, a draft of which was approved on Friday, Luxembourg will introduce widespread electronic tagging as an alternative to detention in prison.

This measure, which was legalised in Luxembourg in 2007, has been used by up to 25 prisoners and is seen in the draft paper as a discreet monitoring method, allowing offenders to spend time with their families, search for work or undergo training.

Among other proposals made in the draft paper were the creation of a new body to deal with the enforcement of sentences, handling parole applications as well as dealing with non-custodial sentences such as fines and driving bans.

The document also calls for inmates to receive RMG, a type of jobseekers allowance, pensions and sick pay, which prisoners currently do not have the right to receive. Access to funds such as these would, the paper suggests, give former inmates greater financial independence upon their release, enabling them to rebuild their lives.

The draft bill was tabled on Friday following the controversial detention of two boys at Schrassig prison last month. Justice minister François Biltgen said the measure had been unavoidable because of a lack of facilities for juvenile offenders. The new bill will ensure that no minors will be admitted in Luxembourg's prisons unless the young people are aged 16 to 18 and have committed serious offences.