Home      Login

Abstract: 

During 2005, the practice of electronic monitoring of those convicted of crimes who have served their prison sentences became a frequent topic in the mainstream media and, more important, among state legislatures. Whether it was Martha Stewart being monitored at her estate or the tragic case of Jessica Lunsford in Florida, more and more people have become aware of the uses of electronic monitoring. Increasingly, legislators are sponsoring bills to require electronic monitoring, specifically, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), in order to have “24/7” coverage of offenders. In particular, much of the legislative focus has centered on sex offenders, sparked by the kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder ofnine-year-old Jessica Lunsford. The Journal of Offender Monitoring has suggested that the number of sex offenders wearing GPS tracking devices may increase from the current 3,000 to 15,000 by 2007. Such an estimate may well be understated if legislation now being considered by state legislatures around the country—much of it requiring that sex offenders be monitored at all times after their release from prison—becomes law. This article covers state legislation pertaining to electronic monitoring as signed into law during 2005 as well as pending legislation, the outlook for the 2006 legislative sessions, and procurements in this area.

Keywords: California Senate Bill 963; Indiana Senate Bill 175; Mississippi Senate Bill 2750; Montana Senate Bill 207; New Jersey Senate Bill 1889; Oklahoma Senate Bill 631; Vermont Senate Bill 156; California Senate Bill 722; New York Senate Bill 4656; Pennsyl

Affiliations:  1: MultiState Associates Inc..