Electronic Monitoring of Juveniles in Flanders (Belgium): Lessons Drawn From Western European Countries

Abstract

In 2019, Flanders, Belgium’s northern Dutch-speaking community, adopted legislation that for the first time mentions juvenile electronic monitoring. The government has nevertheless yet to decide on its implementation. Other countries’ policies, that share Flanders’ principles of constructive sanctioning, rehabilitation, responsibility, safety, restoration and evidence-based practices, such as England and Wales, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Sweden, can therefore inspire lesson-drawing. Juvenile electronic monitoring is advised to be applied (1) when juveniles can understand it, (2) for limited durations, (3) using global positioning system (GPS), (4) with therapeutic treatments, (5) consent, (6) incentivised schedules, (7) individualised breach procedures, (8) restorative options and (9) regular evaluation.