An article by the research team of the E-Monitoring project was published in the latest edition of Sombras&Luzes, the journal of the portuguese Directorate-General for Reintegration and Prison Services. The article reflects on measures and penalties under radiofrequency technology, with special emphasis on the coercive measure in electronic surveillance (Obligation to Remain in Housing) based on the experiences reported, in interviews, by several monitored people.
Abstract: Electronic surveillance has been implemented in Portugal for over two decades. However, it remains a topic of little discussion, both in the public sphere and in academia. This article aims to combat this invisibility by critically reflecting on the national electronic surveillance system. We focus, in particular, on the coercive measure of mandatory residence, which uses radiofrequency technology. The reflections presented are based on ongoing fieldwork, which includes case analysis and semi-structured interviews with monitored individuals and professionals involved in the system.
In this article, we explore the implications of a carcerocentric perspective that positions electronic surveillance as a “direct substitute” for imprisonment and reflect on how the potential of this penal instrument for decarceration has been underutilized in Portugal. Based on data from interviews with monitored individuals, we highlight how they interpret their experiences and manage their lives under the coercive measure of housing restrictions. Finally, the article proposes recommendations for optimizing the use of electronic surveillance as a tool for (re)integration and rehabilitation, highlighting the need to rethink its role beyond simple surveillance and monitoring.