Electronic Tagging

Electronic tagging is a form of surveillance in which a tag is attached to an animal, human or device such as a vehicle. It is often used in a criminal setting to monitor the location of certain criminals.

The device works by the GPS system and sends a signal with a location through a mobile network for example. In New Zealand this kind of monitoring of criminals in known as home detention.

In the UK a fairly simple form of this tagging system is in use. A base station is connected to the home of the offender via a telephone line and this is then linked to a tag on the offenders ankle. The tag will then be able to send a signal to the base indicating the offender is within a certain distance within the given curfew hours. If the signal is broken, or is not being received, the police will automatically be alerted.

There are now trials taking place to see if it will be possible to monitor sex offenders in Britain in the same way. In Belgium this is actually in use. However, in the UK there is mixed view about this.

Some people in favour of penal reform argue that when an offender has served his sentence he should be free to live his life free from surveillance. However, others think that there should be no releasing back into the community at all, that these offenders should live their lives behind bars without release. However, Britains prisons are becoming increasingly overfilled and a way of monitoring these people whilst freeing up prison space could be a good alternative.

This method of electronic tagging is something that has been used in the USA for many years. The UK is not the only country considering using these methods. In South Africa the government believe that it will save over 30,000 prison spaces and prevent the problem of overcrowding, whilst in Sweden they are currently using electronic tagging to monitor curfews on people with drink driving offenders.