Position Monitoring

Various types of position monitors are now available to track offenders' whereabouts and keep offenders in or away from certain places at certain times. "Electronic monitoring" is the most common type of position monitoring. This generally entails an electronic device attached to an offender's leg, along with a sensor in the home or other designated area. The device alerts staff or a monitoring center when an offender leaves the designated area. Staff generally are required to pre-approve offenders' schedules, including times when they are to attend school, work or services. If an offender leaves the designated area at any time without permission, he is in violation of electronic monitoring.

Newer position monitoring devices offer staff significantly enhanced surveillance capabilities. Voice recognition, facial recognition and biometric scanning add confidence that the person present at a certain location is in fact the offender. Some of these devices are now found in ATM-like kiosks, which can be placed in the community, verifying offenders' locations without causing the expense and inconvenience of trips to the supervision office. The most advanced systems use global positioning satellite (GPS) monitors to track every movement an offender makes throughout the community. As these systems become more affordable, they are being more commonly used for supervision.

While monitoring has generally meant keeping offenders confined to certain places such as their homes, it also can be used to keep them away from trouble spots. For example, if an offender is on supervision for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, monitoring can help reinforce a legal requirement that the offender avoid known open-air drug markets. If an offender is a known pedophile, staff should focus on keeping that person away from schools, playgrounds or any setting where children are likely to be present. Keeping offenders out of situations where crime occurs and away from their "triggers" will keep them crime- and drug-free and, in turn, reduce recidivism and increase public safety.