Florida State University Associate Professor Bill Bales, Dean Tom Blomberg, and Research Center Director Karen Mann recently conducted a study to determine if electronic monitoring (EM) devices could be used as an alternative to incarceration, as well as a method that would reduce the cost of supervision for newly released prisoners, without compromising public safety. In a study of 5,000 formerly incarcerated individuals, the team found that new criminal offenses, absconding, and supervision revocation were reduced by 31% among the study participants.
The idea of monitoring people with a criminal history via a Global Positioning System (GPS) devise is nothing new; this method has been used for approximately 20 years. A GPS device, also known as an “ankle bracelet” can be used to track the wearer 24 hours a day, to make sure the wearer is complying with probation regulations that limits the geographical area in which the wearer may reside, work or go to church. A GPS can also provide information that a wearer was not in an area in which a crime was committed.
Bales, Blomberg, and Mann devised the study to include those who were on supervision with an EM devise, and those who formerly wore an EM device, but went on to community supervision without a GPS. Those in the study were deemed to be medium- to high risk individuals, with many of the participants convicted of a sexual offense. The study sought to reveal if those who wore a GPS device were more likely to stay out of trouble, and if so, if it was because they knew that a GPS reported their every move, or because those who wore the devise were more occupied with work, treatment programs or staying home more. The data for the study was supplied by the Florida Department of Corrections, and compared those wearing an EM to those who din not.
Speaking to the Washington D.C. based Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), Professor Bales claimed “a 31% reduction in rates of failure while under supervision including decreases in absconding, revocations and new criminal activity.” Bales was a guest on a recent CSOSA radio program. To listen to Bales speak about the study, click on the Read More button below.
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