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Problems with GPS tracking in Connecticut

By Douglas A. Berman

I have long be interested in GPS tracking schemes as a seemingly more effective and economical means for monitoring certain offenders than just keeping them locked up indefinitely.  But local stories from Connecticut here and here and here spotlight a serious potential problem with GPS tracking.  Here are the basic details as reported in one article:The state withdrew charges on Friday that serial rapist David M. Pollitt had violated his probation by wandering from his sister's home, calling into question the reliability of the GPS system the state uses to track some 300 sex offenders living throughout Connecticut. Pollitt, 55, who was released from prison last year after serving 24 years for several vicious rapes, was charged with violation of probation after the state's GPS contractor notified Pollitt's probation officer that Pollitt had wandered away from his sister's home in Southbury for about 15 minutes on Sept...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on September 13, 2008 (boomark / email).