Technology can open up new ways to track prisoners

A recent report from The Guardian appears to suggest that tech companies monitor tracking devices or microchips as they come out under the skin of convicted offenders. Although this idea raises questions about human rights, technologies that could enable such initiatives are certainly developing.

Electronic ankle bracelets are already a widely used form of this technology. They usually use radio frequencies connected to a base station similar to your home’s Wi-Fi to ensure that your device is within a certain range within or around the home. Others use GPS to monitor their position. However, such devices require regular charging.

Anyone can use commercial technologies such as Apple’s AirTags and Samsung SmartTag, which allows you to track people and items. Surveillance technology is integrated with mobile phone applications. This includes using other people’s mobile phones on encrypted communications networks.

Various types of technology are available in the UK that utilize GPS and other wireless systems to monitor individuals subject to travel restrictions due to court orders.

This technology was first introduced in the UK in 1999 and is usually used as an alternative to custody or imprisonment. According to the UK government website, there are three types of tagging: CRFEW tags, location tags, and alcohol tags. Curfew tags check the location of people tagged from their base units (such as their homes) within a certain period of time.

If the base unit is unable to communicate with a tagged person, it will send an alert to the associated monitoring center. Location tags provide more flexibility as they monitor locations and provide information on areas where they should not or should not access, such as rehabilitation appointments.

The third most common type is the alcohol tag, where alcohol levels are measured from a person’s sweat. The aim is to reduce violence or crime related to alcohol addiction. In 2022, the UK government reported that around 97% of criminals with these tags were away from alcohol.

In general, greater use of electronic tagging can lead to more prisoners being released earlier, which can help reduce pressure on prison facilities. This could bring about other social benefits, such as avoiding disruptions in employment and family commitments.

However, some studies have observed limitations such as device signal issues and false reporting to violate court orders. A 2019 survey by the Scottish government highlighted some of the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies. However, with the continued development of monitoring technologies, such limitations are expected to be addressed in more effective applications in the future.

Techniques that involve embedding tags under skins have been considered in the past for applications such as proof of identity, contactless payment systems, and secure door openings.

One type of implant uses radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and is roughly rice size. In theory, similar technologies can be used in base units or distributed monitoring networks to develop tracking systems to find people.

RFID tagging is used on a daily basis in supermarkets to prevent theft. Tags are often attached to expensive items to prevent them from being taken from the store without payment.

However, human rights activists have called for suggestions from “dystopian” technology companies for microchip trackers and other devices. To enable technology companies to collect things that could be highly sensitive, they force people to undergo invasion surgery, and personal data about them will be punished beyond the temporary limits of people’s freedom of movement.

Electronic surveillance technology with AI support is advancing rapidly. In the future and globally, the technology is expected to play an important role in increasing public safety, supporting rehabilitation, and minimizing the costs of public funding. But we also need to answer questions about what role we want this type of technology to play in our society.

This article will be republished from the conversation under a Creative Commons license. Please read the original article.