CA- GPS Not Total Solution to Prison Overcrowding

8-19-2009 California:

Sacramento - The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says using global positioning satellite monitoring devices is a viable way to help reduce overcrowded prisons. But not everyone is sold on their reliability or usefulness.

The department already uses 7,000 of the ankle bracelet transmitters and has found them useful in keeping track of registered sex offenders and parolees with gang ties. In addition, it helps officers quickly locate parolees so that in person searches or interviews can be conducted.

"It's been a very effective tool and a deterrent," said department spokesman Gordon Hinkle.

As many as 5,000 additional units could be used to reduce the state's prison population.

"They would be on a home arrest situation with a GPS device strapped to them.":

The Placer County Probation Department was one of the first agencies to use GPS tracking devices nearly five years ago. Like other systems, the units set off an alarm in the form of text messages, e-mails, or faxes to officers if the subject wearing the GPS bracelet leaves a designated area or enters an area that is off limits. An alarm is also set off if the subject doesn't charge the device or if it is removed from their ankle.

But those who monitor the use of GPS tracking devices for registered sex offenders say it is not a cure all for keeping citizens safe from those how might commit crimes again.

"GPS tells you where you are, it doesn't tell you what your doing" said Suzanne Brown-McBride, the chair of California's Sex Offender Monitoring Board. It was created by an initiative that limits where sex offenders can live and requires them to be tracked by GPS devices.

"A sex offender can invite a neighbor child into their home, so simply knowing where they are isn't enough. You would also want to know what they were up to and what they were doing,'"said Brown-McBride.

She added that GPS doesn't tell officers the subject is associating with or if there are weapons, drugs or alcohol present. And there are lingering technical concerns. A lost signal in certain buildings or dead spots can trigger a false alarm.

Brown-McBride says GPS can be a very help tool in an arsenal that includes traditional parole and probation techniques. Placer County probation officers agree. They realize the limitations of the devices if used in isolation.

"We utilize this with good old fashioned probation work, going out into the community, knocking on doors, talking to people," said supervising probation officer Marshall Hopper.

Hinkle also says the population that will be monitored will reduce that chances of additional crimes being committed.

"We're talking about an 80 year old inmate ...and he's bedridden," said Hinkle. ..Source.. by Lonnie Wong