GPS the Criminal Justice System

1. GPS & the Criminal Justice System Sue Cartwright

2. Content How is GPS used? Applications of GPS monitoring Advantages of GPS monitoring Disadvantages of GPS monitoring Conclusion Bibliography

3. How Is GPS Used? Microchip transmitter implanted under skin or microchip bracelet is worn Signals received by global positioning satellites Satellites transmit offender�s location to central receiver The offender is required to carry a GPS device or may have a miniature GPS tracking device implanted beneath the surface of the skin. �Global Positioning Systems (GPS) consist of three components: satellites, a network of ground stations and mobile user devices (a GPS receiver). Measuring the user's distance from three different satellites identifies the user's location. �The offender is required to carry a GPS device or may have a miniature GPS tracking device implanted beneath the surface of the skin. �Global Positioning Systems (GPS) consist of three components: satellites, a network of ground stations and mobile user devices (a GPS receiver). Measuring the user's distance from three different satellites identifies the user's location. �

4. Applications of GPS Monitoring Detentionto ensure that offenders remain in a designated place during curfew Restrictionto prevent offender entering restricted area, eg when under a restraining order Surveillancecontinuous tracking without restriction of movement, eg for asylum seekers Detention eg home detention schemes typically require offenders to be at home during established curfew hours. GPS surveillance can be used for the monitoring of asylum-seekers while their applications are being processed. �Restriction Place-restriction is enforced through an alert that is triggered if the person goes into prohibited areas. The person's proximity to other people can be controlled if those people also carry GPS devices, or are regularly informed of the wearer's location �Detention eg home detention schemes typically require offenders to be at home during established curfew hours. GPS surveillance can be used for the monitoring of asylum-seekers while their applications are being processed. �Restriction Place-restriction is enforced through an alert that is triggered if the person goes into prohibited areas. The person's proximity to other people can be controlled if those people also carry GPS devices, or are regularly informed of the wearer's location �

5. Advantages of GPS Monitoring Reduced prison populations Cost savings Offenders may remain employed Offenders keep contact with families Negative psychological effects of prison avoided Improved chance of rehabilitation of offenders It extends the range of sentences available to the courts, therefore reducing the prison populations. Major cost savings may be achieved through building fewer prisons as well as reducing the cost of administering custodial sentences. �It avoids the "violence, intimidation and degrading punishment" of some prison experiences. . It extends the range of sentences available to the courts, therefore reducing the prison populations. Major cost savings may be achieved through building fewer prisons as well as reducing the cost of administering custodial sentences. �It avoids the "violence, intimidation and degrading punishment" of some prison experiences. .

6. Disadvantages of GPS Monitoring Offenders are not physically restrained Violation of Human Rights? The physical attachment of a device to or in an offender is invasive Constant monitoring even outside of curfew hours To what extent is information obtained used against offender? The use of electronic monitoring in the criminal justice system raises a number of ethical, legal and practical issues. Dangerous offenders are still able to attack before authorities can intervene. Electronic monitoring is undoubtedly a physically invasive technology that involves the attachment of a device to, or in, a person. Is the use of force acceptable when attaching a device? Modern technologies are also psychologically invasive in the sense that the person's every move can be tracked, other than when the device is programmed to be off. If the offender is subject to a curfew, should authorities have any right to track his or her movements outside curfew hours? To what uses should information about the offender's movements be put? �The use of electronic monitoring in the criminal justice system raises a number of ethical, legal and practical issues. Dangerous offenders are still able to attack before authorities can intervene. Electronic monitoring is undoubtedly a physically invasive technology that involves the attachment of a device to, or in, a person. Is the use of force acceptable when attaching a device? Modern technologies are also psychologically invasive in the sense that the person's every move can be tracked, other than when the device is programmed to be off. If the offender is subject to a curfew, should authorities have any right to track his or her movements outside curfew hours? To what uses should information about the offender's movements be put? �

7. Conclusion Something to think about �� Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? How effective would GPS monitoring be in South Africa? The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) �The SAHRC is a national institution established to entrench constitutional democracy through the promotion and protection of human rights by:Addressing human rights violations and seeking effective redress for such violations.Monitoring and assessing the observance of human rights.Raising awareness of human rights issues.Educating and training on human rights.�The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) �The SAHRC is a national institution established to entrench constitutional democracy through the promotion and protection of human rights by:Addressing human rights violations and seeking effective redress for such violations.Monitoring and assessing the observance of human rights.Raising awareness of human rights issues.Educating and training on human rights.�

8. Bibliography http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi2/tandi254t.html http://www.crossroad.to/News/surveillance.html hhtp://www.sahrc.org.za/ �Google images (All images from Google)