Overview:
Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking is used to track a person’s location on a constant basis. This type of monitoring is most commonly used for pre-trial defendants out on bond and awaiting trial.
How it Works:
An ankle bracelet worn by the defendant collects GPS data from satellites throughout the day. The data collected includes the defendant’s travel speed and direction, plus the time and date. The data is reported to the monitoring center and can be accessed via a secure website. Data is plotted on a map for review by officers. In addition, officers are notified if a defendant enters designated exclusion zones, such as the vicinity of a victim’s residence or work location. If a defendant enters an exclusion zone, immediate action is taken, such as notifying the victim and dispatching police officers if necessary.
Active vs. Passive GPS Monitoring:
The Electronic Monitoring Program offers both Active GPS and Passive GPS tracking.
Active GPS ankle bracelets report data near real-time to the monitoring center via cellular communications. Officers can access location data via secure website and monitor the defendants current whereabouts at any time.
Passive GPS ankle bracelets store collected data throughout the day. Each day after returning home the defendant must place the device in a docking station. The docking station sends data to the monitoring center using the defendant’s home phone line. It can then be reviewed by officers via secure website.
Benefits & Success
Since May 2001, the Electronic Monitoring Program has monitored 1451 defendants on GPS totaling more than 101,215 usage days. Of those defendants 1369 equaling 94%, have completed the program successfully, defendants were either sentenced or GPS was removed from their bond conditions by the court.