The Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) is currently experiencing issues with 18 ankle monitors in Kenai. All 18 are for pretrial offenders, according to the a spokesperson for the Department. DOC provided the following statement about the issue:

Eighteen offenders who were issued a new model of electronic monitoring equipment in Kenai are experiencing technical difficulties due to a connectivity issue with one cell tower in the area. Because all 18 are pretrial offenders, the courts were notified of the issue. The court removed eight of the offenders from EM supervision. DOC Pretrial and Probation officers are currently in the process of remanding the remaining ten to Wildwood Correctional Center. New equipment has been ordered and upon its arrival, these offenders will return to EM supervision.

According to DOC, “Statewide, 1,893 people are on electronic monitoring. This includes people on pretrial and probation,” meaning the 18 having issues in Kenai represent a very small portion of total number of people on monitors statewide. DOC says the issue is localized to the 18 monitors in Kenai, and nowhere else in the state.