GPS Monitoring of Sex Offenders Can Cut Recidivism

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice (NIJ) recently released a study that evaluated the use of global positioning systems (GPS) technology to monitor high-risk sex offenders on parole in California.

Offenders in the GPS group demonstrated significantly better outcomes than offenders who were monitored in traditional ways.  The evaluation showed that risk for a sex-related violation was nearly three times greater for offenders who received traditional parole supervision, than offenders who received GPS supervision. The risk of committing an offense that resulted in an arrest was twice as high for offenders who received traditional parole supervision than for offenders in the GPS group. 

When compared to traditional supervision, the study found that GPS monitoring costs approximately $8.51 more per day.  The outcomes of GPS monitoring, however, are significantly better.

TITLE: Monitoring High-Risk Sex Offenders with GPS Technology: An Evaluation of the California Supervision Program

AUTHOR: Stephen V. Gies

WHERE: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/238481.pdf 

About the NIJ

The National Institute of Justice — the research, development and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice — is dedicated to improving knowledge and understanding of crime and justice issues through science. NIJ provides objective and independent knowledge and tools to reduce crime and promote justice, particularly at the state and local levels.

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP), headed by Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary Lou Leary provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has six bureaus and offices: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART). More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. 

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice