Monitoring sentence
A monitoring sentence may be imposed instead of certain short unconditional prison sentences. The court may impose a monitoring sentence if it is considered to support the offenders’ social coping and prevent reoffending. Persons serving a monitoring sentence live at home, but are monitored by the probation office responsible for the enforcement using technical devices and other means.
In the penal system, a monitoring sentence is ranked between community service and unconditional imprisonment in terms of severity, making it closer to the most severe punishments. The maximum duration is six months.
Previous unconditional prison sentences and the nature of the offence may prevent the imposition of a monitoring sentence. Additionally, the requirements include that the sentenced person’s place of residence is suitable for enforcement and people living in the same place of residence consent to it.
Obligations
Persons sentenced to a monitoring sentence must follow the daily schedule confirmed in the specified sentence plan drawn up in cooperation with the probation office. The schedule may include work, education, rehabilitation, activity programmes, or other activities that promote their situation.
Outside of the activities approved in the sentence plan, persons serving a monitoring sentence must remain at their place of residence. When they leave, they may only move within a designated area. They are also required to completely abstain from the use of intoxicating substances.
Repeated or serious breach of the conditions may result in the sentence being converted into unconditional imprisonment.
Supervision
In addition to technical monitoring, a supervision patrol or a supervisor appointed by the probation office oversees the serving of the sentence through unannounced visits to the sentenced persons’ home and workplace. If necessary, the use of intoxicating substances is controlled by means of breath and drug tests.
More about the enforcement of community sanctions
Published 28.7.2025