The implementation of the new protective mechanism, often referred to as the “Spanish ankle monitor” and designed to prevent domestic violence against women, will be later than originally scheduled. What was intended to become operative under the new violence protection law on April 1, 2027, has been pushed back. According to a spokesperson for the Hessian Ministry of Justice, the essential regulations concerning this new electronic residential monitoring system are now set to begin on July 1 of next year.
The postponement is attributed to a late signing of the law by the Federal President, alongside the need for necessary preparation time.
Hesse already runs the Joint Monitoring Office of the States (GÜL), which manages electronic ankle monitors-frequently used by convicted and subsequently released sex offenders-a system operated since 2012. Unlike conventional ankle bracelets, the “Spanish ankle monitor” offers a unique feature: it allows more than just police to track locations. Importantly, it also enables typically female potential victims to receive a signal via an advanced receiver if they perceive a threat to their safety.
A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Justice commented that they had also anticipated the law’s promulgation (official publication) would proceed sooner. Although the Bundestag passed the law on May 8 and the Bundesrat followed on June 12, the formal signing was not completed until July, effectively shifting the preparation timeline by three months.
The GÜL, based at the Weiterstadt correctional facility, supervised 277 individuals with electronic ankle monitors the previous year, utilizing 32 staff members. However, with the nationwide introduction of the “Spanish ankle monitor,” the responsible Hessian Ministry of Justice projects a tripling of the caseload. This significant increase means the number of staff must rise to over 100, a transition that the ministry emphasizes will not happen overnight.
