The landscape of pre-trial supervision is increasingly shaped by technology. GPS electronic monitoring, once primarily reserved for post-conviction supervision, is now a regular fixture in courtrooms deciding conditions for defendants awaiting trial. This shift reflects a sustained effort to find alternatives to incarceration while still mitigating risks to public safety.
How We Got Here
Electronic monitoring traces its conceptual roots to the 1960s, with psychologist Ralph Kirkland Schwitzgebel proposing “electronic monitoring of offenders.” Practical application began decades later. In the early 1980s, New Mexico District Court Judge Jack Love ordered house arrest for an offender, monitored via an early electronic device developed by computer scientist Robert Gable. Pilot programs supported by the National Institute of Justice soon followed, laying the groundwork for broader adoption.
The 1990s saw the widespread introduction of radio-frequency (RF) monitoring, primarily for home confinement. By the early 2000s, GPS technology advanced sufficiently to allow for continuous, location-based tracking, revolutionizing community supervision. This technological leap enabled probation and parole officers to monitor offender movements outside the home, a critical step towards more flexible and effective supervision models.
In the last decade, the expansion into pre-trial services gained significant momentum. Fueled by national discussions on bail reform and concerns over mass incarceration, courts began seeking tools that could ensure appearance at court dates and deter new criminal activity without defaulting to cash bail or indefinite detention. Electronic monitoring emerged as a viable middle ground.
What Changed
A recent case in Broward County, Florida, illustrates this evolving judicial approach. Authorities in Davie arrested two men, Armaun Livingston and Jamarcus Rollins, in connection with a series of overnight vehicle break-ins near Nova Southeastern University. Police reported the suspects allegedly caused thousands of dollars in damages and thefts, leading to over 40 charges against them.
Following their capture, Livingston faced a bond exceeding $100,000. Court records show that if Livingston posts bail and is released, the judge imposed a specific condition: he must wear a GPS ankle monitor. Additionally, a 7 p.m. curfew was ordered. This decision reflects a growing trend where courts utilize electronic monitoring as a specific, enforceable condition of pre-trial release. It serves as an example of how judges can address public safety concerns without necessarily defaulting to detention for defendants awaiting trial.
A Competitive Field
The electronic monitoring sector has no shortage of established players. BI Incorporated, backed by GEO Group, remains one of the largest providers in the U.S. SCRAM Systems dominates the alcohol monitoring niche with its continuous alcohol monitoring ankle devices. Attenti, now under Allied Universal, serves programs in over 30 countries. Smaller vendors have carved out niches too — from Buddi in the UK to manufacturers offering compact one-piece GPS designs like the CO-EYE series, which features optical-fiber tamper detection and a three-second snap-on installation.
What Comes Next
The integration of GPS monitoring into pre-trial release continues to evolve. Discussions around its efficacy, cost, and potential for disparate impact persist within the criminal justice community. However, as technology advances, with smaller devices, longer battery life, and improved tamper detection, electronic monitoring is poised to become an even more pervasive tool in managing offender populations and supporting public safety objectives.
Source: Police arrest 2 men after overnight car break-in spree near NSU in Davie
Related Resources: Parole Electronic Monitoring Guide | Electronic Monitoring for Bail & Pretrial | House Arrest Monitoring Guide
