GPS monitoring requires a participant to wear an ankle bracelet and allows probation officers to track the person’s location. Similar to RF technology, when the participant comes within the range of his or her home, it notifies the monitoring center. Officers set inclusion and exclusion zones for a participant, which can be permanent or set to a schedule. For example, a participant allowed to work can have an inclusion zone that requires him or her to be at the workplace during working hours. Exclusion zones can be set to limit a person’s contact with a particular address and the bracelet sends an alert if the person comes within range of that address. Among other things, the GPS technology also identifies a person’s speed of travel and when a person stops at a location for a length of time.
ELECTRONIC MONITORING
Radio Frequency (RF) or Global Positioning (GPS) technology
Used by parole and probation officers to monitor some offenders in the community.
The Judicial Branch states that because these technologies rely on cell service, GPS technology, and radio frequency, notices sent by the system can take five to 10 minutes or longer depending on the type of reporting established, type of technology, and technological issues such as the availability of cell towers or interruptions in service.
Connecticut General Assembly
Office of Legislative Research Sandra Norman-Eady, Director
Room 5300 Legislative Office Building Hartford, CT 06106-1591