25 January 2013

Neuilly-sur-Seine, January 25, 2013 - Thales and its consortium partners G4S and Onet Sécurité have been selected by the French Ministry of Justice to design, deploy and operate a new electronic tagging system for individuals under non-custodial sentencing schemes.

In France, electronic monitoring can be used as an alternative to detention for individuals charged with offences and for convicted offenders serving sentences. It reconciles efforts to reduce reoffending rates with the need to protect the interests of victims and support the socioeconomic reintegration of persons benefitting from such schemes.

To date, over 10,000 individuals have been fitted with ankle or wrist devices in France, and the Ministry of Justice plans to significantly increase this number in the next few years.

As a specialist in critical information system and security related services, Thales will be responsible for overall programme management, system integration and IT infrastructure services.
G4S will provide its latest-generation electronic monitoring devices and monitoring application software including a multi-functional GPS tag enabling continuous tracking of offenders' as well as monitoring compliance with traditional curfew based restrictions. Onet Sécurité will be in charge of the tele-surveillance and call centre operations as well as training services for prison administration staff.

The Ministry of Justice has chosen to work with a solid consortium with the ability to deliver a high-performance industrial-scale solution to a short deadline. Deployment of the new system is scheduled to begin in 2013. The technological innovations proposed will ensure higher levels of performance and new functionality, including uninterrupted geolocation of the electronic devices. The open, modular architecture adopted will ensure that the solution is interoperable with other systems and can be scaled up over the long term.

Laurent Maury, Vice President, Thales Services, commented: "The Ministry of Justice is a major customer for Thales, and we are considered a trusted partner on critical projects. This particular project, which breaks new ground both commercially and technologically, is a key opportunity for Thales in a new field that offers potential for rapid growth in Europe and many other parts of the world."

This latest success further reinforces Thales's leadership in C4I* systems and value-added IT services. This new contract is fully in line with Thales's investment policy and its strategic plan to pursue rapid growth in the markets for services and security solutions. With its unique positioning in the defence-security continuum, Thales is a global market leader in security and innovates constantly to create value for its customers.

*Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence

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