GPS Tracking for Probationers

Many of the small-scale crimes that occur are committed by people who are on probation. This is not surprising, since paroled convicts clearly have a history of criminal activity. Police have always known about this issue, and struggle to balance the problem of prison overcrowding with the risk of convicts living in society. With so many probationers, especially in the Los Angeles area, it’s hard to keep track of them all. How can we attempt to resolve this problem? Using a tracking device on probationers will monitor those who tend to run off, reduce the population in the overcrowded prisons, and cut back on the work of the probation officers all at the same time.

First, tracking with GPS will monitor probationers who tend to run off. Retaining physical awareness of the location of probationers causes those who have the slightest inclination of running off to think twice before attempting it. A tracking device not only invokes a certain amount of fear, but could also potentially reduce the rate of additional crimes committed by probationers while on probation. This effect could, in turn, reduce the need for additional warrants.

Secondly, tracking with GPS technology will reduce the population in the overcrowded prisons. Keeping the population in county jails down is harder than ever now that a mandate for state criminals to be put in county jails is in effect. Another roadblock in this area is a bill that encourages California to clear 33,000 inmates from its prisons over the next two years. Tracking with GPS will produce a significant increase in progress with this bill.

Lastly, tracking with GPS will cut back on the work of the probation officers. Since the bill that demanded 33,000 prisoners be released within two years took effect, probation officers have been busier than ever. Being a probation officer is becoming a full time job that is primarily made up of tracking the nearly 16,000 prisoners on probation. Although a significant number of cases have been closed due to successfully completed terms of probation, probation officers still monitor more than 10,000 active cases. Adding to this number is the fact that in one month 367 warrants were requested for probationers.

Although tracking probationers is a full time job, it is an important one to not only the probation officers, but also the surrounding communities. Investing money in tracking devices for probationers will save time in the effort to keep track of run-offs, significantly reduce the population of overcrowded prisons, and cut down on the work of probation officers, allowing them to channel their abilities to focus on other areas of work.

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GPS Tracking for Probationers