Electronic Monitoring as a Modern Alternative to Custodial Sentences: A Legal Analysis Under Algerian Law

This article examines the use of electronic monitoring, specifically the electronic bracelet, as an alternative to custodial penalties under Algerian Law No. 18 01. It addresses the system’s legal nature, conditions for application, and its role in reducing pri son overcrowding, supporting social reintegration, and minimizing state financial burdens. The measure allows offenders to serve their sentences outside prison, while being monitored electronically through GPS and internet connected devices. The study also explores the required legal conditions, including offender consent, sentence limits, and judicial approval. Comparative references from French and international laws highlight the broader application of this alternative. The article argues that electronic monitoring reflects a shift toward a technologically enhanced criminal justice system that prioritizes human rights, rehabilitation, and efficiency. It recommends wider adoption of legal technologies such as AI in legal procedures and digital forensic too ls to modernize judicial systems and ensure more just and effective punishment alternatives.