The rising number of people on electronically-monitored bail is being used to explain a surge in absconders.

Figures released to Newstalk ZB through the Official Information Act show cases of a breach rose from 64 in 2015, to 832 last year.

Corrections Chief Probation Officer Toni Stewart told Heather du Plessis-Allan over the last 10 years the courts have granted more electronically monitored bail. 

She says they report signs of breaches to police, and is assuring the public they have a zero tolerance for non-compliance. 

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