One in four home detention sentences are breached.
Figures released to NZPA under the Official Information Act show the statistic has been consistent, with a breach rate of more than 27 percent for offenders serving home detention each year since 2007.
The Corrections Department would not specify what breaches there were, but said from a sample of 350 analysed, returning late from approved absences or tampering with their electronic anklets were most common.
Corrections Minister Judith Collins said the fact breaches were being detected meant home detention was working, but Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Garth McVicar told NZPA the number was "appalling".
"I think what is coming to bear realistically is that there are a very large number of offenders who are just mocking the system.
"It doesn't surprise us, particularly because of the category of offenders that are now placed under home detention."
Home detention targets offenders who could be facing up to two years' imprisonment. As at June 30, there were 1662 serving sentences of between 14 days and 12 months, under electronic monitoring system, with frequent parole officer contact.
In total, there were 3472 home detention sentences from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, of which 27.3 percent were breached.
The breach rate went from under 10 percent in 2005, 2006, and 2007 to more than 27 percent following a 2007 law change, when home detention became a sentence in its own right, the Corrections Department said.
Before the law change, home detention orders were given by the Parole Board and those who did not comply could be recalled to prison, so it didn't show up as breaches in the statistics.
Whereas now, enforcement options for breaches include a fine up to $2000, other community-based sentences or imprisonment for up to one year.
In a recent breach, police said a "heavily intoxicated" Central Otago teenager, serving eight months' home detention for aggravated robbery and assault with a weapon, cut off his ankle bracelet before threatening a police officer.
Police in June called to a Cromwell home where the 17-year-old was causing extensive damage. Confronted, he pointed a nailgun at an officer and chased him down the street.
As the officer called for backup, the youth stole a car and drove at speeds up to 150kmh towards Alexandra, prompting a police pursuit that ended when he crashed.
His "erratic" driving, put himself, the officers and other people at risk, Cromwell Sergeant Mike Williams said.
The teenager is to appear at Dunedin District Court in October to face changes including aggravated assault, using a firearm against police, and breach of home detention.
Mr McVicar said the Government should urgently look at the use of alternative sentences, unless it was prepared to put New Zealanders at risk.
"I think it's actually going to require a legislation change. There are people who say that prison doesn't work, but ultimately prisons are there to protect us, the law abiding people, from offenders."
Ms Collins said the number of breach actions recorded shows the system was working, because breaches were being "rigorously" picked up.
"This simply reflects a vigilant, zero-tolerance enforcement policy applied by probation officers for non-compliance with home detention conditions," she said.
"In my view, home detention is generally working as a sentence."
Ms Collins said extra funding for probation services in the 2009 budget had allowed another 246 probation officers to be recruited to ensure breaches could be properly enforced.
The three-strikes law also ensured repeat violence and sex offenders were dealt with severely, she said.
The Government in the last month has started a review of home detention, breaches of conditions and eligibility.
NZPA
AUDIO: RadioLIVE's Marcus Lush talks
with the Minister of Corrections, Judith Collins, about a concerning percentage
of offenders breaching home detention and parole conditions.