GPS Trackers For Prisoners – Benefits & Drawbacks Of Electronic Surveillance

Did you know that the Global Positioning System (GPS) has a large presence in the American prison system? Yes! In fact, in more than half of the states in the U.S., active GPS tracking devices are used to keep tabs on criminals. The programs are simple: electronic bracelets are used to monitor those on probation or ordered to home incarceration. However, the technology does not come with its fair share of criticism. In this article, we’ll explore how real time GPS trackers for prisoners work, their benefits, as well as controversial takes on their use.

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What Is A Electronic GPS Bracelet For Prisoners?

An electronic GPS bracelet is a monitoring device worn by prisoners on their ankle. It uses GPS technology to track the location of individuals under house arrest, probation, or parole. This helps authorities monitor offenders, ensuring they follow release terms. The device communicates with a personal transmitter unit (PTU) carried by the offender, sending real-time location data to law enforcement or parole officers. This cost-effective and efficient method offers an alternative to traditional incarceration for monitoring and managing offenders.

How Enhance Monitoring With GPS Tracking Bracelets Work

GPS tracking systems, worn on the ankle, combine GPS satellite signals and built-in GSM/GPRS to report an offender’s location to police or parole officers. These lightweight devices communicate with a personal transmitter unit (PTU) carried by the offender. If communication is interrupted, an alert is triggered. It’s crucial for prisoners to keep the batteries charged daily to avoid any issues.

While ankle monitors aren’t new, GPS tracking has significantly improved their accuracy. Traditional radio frequency systems were less efficient, only alerting authorities when the prisoner moved out of range. With real-time GPS trackers, authorities know both when and where a violation has occurred. This allows closer monitoring by the courts, granting the prisoner some leeway for activities like work or court appearances.

Research has shown that personal tracking devices effectively monitor offenders and their compliance with probation or release terms. Parole and probation officers can use geo-fencing to set up virtual geographic “safe zones” for the prisoner, such as work, church, or college. If the prisoner leaves the defined area, the bracelet instantly sends a signal to the police department, ensuring proper monitoring.

9 Benefits Of Electronic Surveillance For Prisoners & House Arrest

Picture this: a world where public safety and prisoner rehabilitation walk hand-in-hand, where technology bridges the gap between security and compassion. Could GPS tracker bracelets for prisoners be the missing piece in this puzzle? Maybe. But there is no denying that GPS tracking systems do offer many benefits on the electronic surveillance frontier. In this section, we will look at 9 key benefits of GPS trackers for prisoners.

Cost-effective alternative: GPS tracker bracelet for prisoners reduces expenses compared to keeping them incarcerated
Enhanced public safety: Efficient release and monitor systems for offenders
Precise tracking: GPS watch and bracelet provide accurate location data for prisoner offender management
Improved rehabilitation: Allowing released prisoners to reintegrate into society while being monitored
Remote alcohol monitoring: Ensuring compliance with sobriety conditions
Flexible solutions: Adaptable for fleet management and various law enforcement needs
Efficient coordination: Improved communication between sheriffs’ offices and other agencies
Customizable features: Product features tailored to specific monitoring requirements such as geofencing
Personalized tracking: GPS personal devices for individualized offender monitoring

Critics Of GPS Tracking For House Arrest

One criticism of electronic surveillance for prisoners is that it can provide a false sense of security. In 2013, an incident in Los Angeles County highlighted this concern. Convicted rapist Christopher Evans Hubbart, known as the “Pillowcase Rapist,” was released from a state hospital with an ankle monitor. Despite wearing the device, some residents remained fearful and questioned the effectiveness of electronic surveillance in preventing reoffending.

Another concern is the potential for offenders to tamper with GPS devices. In a 2012 case in Orange County, Florida, a man named Bessman Okafor cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet while awaiting trial for a home invasion. He then committed a violent home invasion, which resulted in the murder of a young man named Alex Zaldivar. This tragic event raised questions about the reliability of electronic monitoring systems.

Technological failures can also undermine the effectiveness of electronic surveillance. In October 2015, a system malfunction in California left thousands of parolees unmonitored for several hours. This incident raised concerns about the technology’s dependability and whether it can provide adequate protection for the public.

Furthermore, some argue that electronic monitoring can lead to violations of privacy rights. In a 2015 case in Wisconsin, Michael Belleau filed a lawsuit arguing that his Fourth Amendment rights were violated by the GPS monitoring he was subjected to after completing his prison sentence.

While electronic surveillance of prisoners offers benefits, it is not without flaws. Incidents of device tampering, technological failures, and privacy concerns highlight the need for ongoing evaluation and improvement of these systems. The truth is, prison is dangerous, crowded, and expensive. Therefore, it’s hard to argue with a GPS tracking solution that makes economic sense. GPS ankle tracking bracelets give prisoners the opportunity to have improved life, to do chores, take up a hobby or perhaps start going to college. But do criminals of any sort deserve privileges beyond the barbed wire?

Anklet GPS Cheaper Than Prison

Economically also, a person GPS tracker is a benefit to the government. Why? It is much cheaper to track a convict’s location through this technique rather than holding him or her in a prison detention center. Housing a prisoner costs about $150 a day. Monitoring that same prisoner at home with an ankle bracelet costs about $10 a day.

GPS devices with ankle bracelets are seen as a possible solution to our overcrowded prisons. Physical and mental health specialists believe that overcrowded prisons lead to high tension, the propensity to violence, and poor medical care.

FAQs on GPS Tracking Bracelets for Prisoners

Do GPS tracking bracelets improve monitoring accuracy for offenders?

Yes, GPS trackers for prisoners significantly improve monitoring accuracy for offenders. These devices use a combination of GPS satellite signals and built-in GSM/GPRS, enabling faster and more accurate tracking than traditional radio frequency systems. The advanced tracking technology provides real-time location data, allowing authorities to closely monitor offenders’ movements and compliance with probation or release terms.

Can GPS tracking bracelets be used for sex offenders?

Yes, GPS tracking bracelets can be utilized for monitoring sex offenders. This tracking system allows authorities to keep a close eye on sex offenders’ movements, ensuring they abide by their release conditions and stay away from restricted areas. Geo-fencing technology can also be used to create virtual boundaries, triggering an alarm if the offender enters a prohibited area.

How do GPS tracking bracelets help corrections officers and the probation office?

GPS tracker bracelets assist corrections officers and probation officers by providing real-time location data of offenders. This information allows for efficient offender management and monitoring, ensuring compliance with release conditions or probation terms. By using GPS locators, officers can receive instant alerts if an offender breaches their designated boundaries, enabling a swift response.

What are some criticisms of GPS tracking bracelets for prisoners?

Critics of GPS tracking system bracelets argue that the devices can be tampered with or fail due to technical issues, potentially putting public safety at risk. Additionally, some critics believe that electronic monitoring may infringe on offenders’ privacy rights. However, the benefits of cost-effective monitoring and reduced prison overcrowding often outweigh these concerns.

How do GPS tracking bracelets compare to traditional electronic bracelets using radio frequency?

GPS ankle bracelets offer significant advantages over traditional electronic bracelets that use radio frequency. The combination of GPS and GSM/GPRS technology provides more accurate and real-time location data, allowing authorities to monitor offenders more closely. Unlike radio frequency systems, which only alert authorities when the offender moves out of range, GPS tracking devices provide detailed information about an offender’s movements and location, improving offender management and public safety

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Ryan Horban

Sales VP & GPS Tracking Expert at Tracking System Direct

Ryan Horban is the Senior Editor at Tracking System Direct, with over 15 years of experience in the GPS tracking industry. Besides being an award-winning photographer based in Southern California, Ryan is also a devoted family man and writer, featured in numerous photography publications. He is passionate about discussing GPS technology and sharing photography tips.