Sierra Wireless Delivers Advanced Offender Monitoring Solution With LTE Connectivity and Voice Commands

Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) (TSX: SW), the leading IoT solutions provider that combines devices, network and software to unlock value in the connected economy, today announced the release of the Omnilink OM500 ankle bracelet, an advanced, market-leading LTE offender monitoring device that allows law enforcement agencies to better manage pre-trial detainees, individuals under house arrest, probationers and parolees. The OM500 pairs with the award-winning FocalPoint application software to create a turnkey, device-to-cloud solution. This solution helps agencies optimize resources and provides greater visibility and management of offenders’ whereabouts and movements to help law enforcement create safer communities (see video).

Traditional offender monitoring solutions require participants to charge bracelets for up to two hours per day and have a limited battery life of 24 to 48 hours. The OM500 reduces charge time by up to 75 percent while increasing the battery life by more than double traditional alternatives. Reduced charge time and increased battery life help optimize agency manpower normally dedicated to charging-related issues. Additionally, the OM500 can lower the cost of offender monitoring to approximately $3.50 per day, allowing law enforcement agencies to redeploy budget to other critical areas.

Marc Overton, Chief Solutions Officer, Sierra Wireless, said: “Without electronic offender monitoring, agencies often struggle to monitor and track the large number of offenders they are responsible for. With the OM500, law enforcement personnel can monitor many offenders simultaneously, enabling government agencies to redeploy crucial department resources, improve efficiencies and make their communities safer.”

The OM500 features a patented no-speaker audio messaging system that allows agencies to send high-quality, custom voice commands in multiple languages directly to the ankle monitor to relay important information, such as reminders for upcoming appointments or notifying the participant of compliance issues. By providing visibility into offenders’ location and movements, the OM500 enables agencies to make smarter, more effective decisions. Improved mapping capabilities that reduce drift are designed to offer more accurate, real-time location data, while geofencing and advanced movement detection technology can be configured to alert officers if an offender has strayed from a designated zone. The OM500’s advanced location tracking features can be useful investigative and crime prevention tools for law enforcement agencies when used in conjunction with the FocalPoint software. For example, officers can configure the software to provide alerts if offenders enter known crime areas.