Ankle Bracelets: Listening In On Your Every Move

Ankle monitoring bracelets are a form of electronic surveillance that has seen a surge in recent years, with a 140% increase in active monitors between 2005 and 2015. These devices are typically GPS-enabled and are affixed to an individual's ankle to monitor their movements and location. The GPS technology within the bracelet allows for constant tracking, sending signals to GPS satellites, cellular towers, and Wi-Fi access points. This data is then transmitted to a monitoring centre, allowing authorities to track an individual's movement and location history in real time. In addition to GPS, Radio Frequency (RF) technology is also used in ankle bracelets to monitor an individual's presence or absence from a specific location, such as house arrest or curfew restrictions. The use of these monitoring devices has been met with criticism, with studies showing that they contribute to mass incarceration and exacerbate systemic inequities.

How does GPS technology work?

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based technology that provides location, velocity, and time synchronisation. It is a system of over 30 navigation satellites orbiting the Earth at approximately 12,500 miles (20,000 km) above the planet's surface. These satellites emit signals that are picked up by receivers on the ground, which use them to calculate time, location, and velocity with high accuracy.

GPS works through a technique called trilateration. This is a mathematical principle that calculates location, velocity, and elevation. Each satellite in the network circles the Earth twice a day, sending a unique signal that can be read by a GPS device. This device then calculates the distance from the satellite to the receiver. As a single satellite cannot provide much location information, at least four satellites are required to determine the receiver's location.

The U.S. military originally developed and implemented GPS as a military navigation system. However, it is now used by billions of people worldwide for a variety of applications, including mapping, tracking, and navigation.

The accuracy of GPS depends on several factors, such as the number of satellites available, the presence of physical obstructions, and atmospheric conditions. To improve accuracy, GPS receivers often pick up signals from multiple satellites simultaneously.

How do ankle bracelets use RF technology?

Ankle bracelets use radio frequency (RF) technology to monitor the presence or absence of the wearer from an exact location. RF devices transmit constant radio signals back to the receiver when in a detectable range. This allows authorities to know if a person is at a certain location.

The RF signal is transmitted from a transmitter affixed to the ankle of the wearer, which is non-removable, waterproof, and shock-resistant. The signal is sent to a receiver that requires an electrical power source and a telephone landline to transmit data.

In some cases, a hybrid mode can be activated, allowing the bracelet to communicate using RF and change to GPS when an alarm is triggered. When in proximity to a base station, some ankle bracelets may disable GPS and rely solely on RF to communicate through the home station.

RF technology is considered the most effective monitoring method to verify the presence of a person under supervision in a residence during specified hours.

Who uses ankle monitoring bracelets?

Ankle monitoring bracelets are typically worn by people who are subject to legal restrictions, such as those who are awaiting trial, serving probation or parole, or facing immigration proceedings. They are also used to monitor high-risk offenders, including sex offenders, who have been released from prison with specific conditions. For example, in 2023, Randall Hopley, a high-risk sex offender in Canada, was required to wear an electronic ankle bracelet as part of his release conditions, which included residing at a halfway house, staying away from children, and adhering to a curfew.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of ankle bracelets surged as concerns about the spread of the virus in prisons led to more people being released with conditions. From 2005 to 2015, the number of active electronic monitors in use in the US rose significantly, with a 140% increase reported by the ACLU. As of 2015, there were over 125,000 people in the US being tracked with monitoring bracelets on a single day.

Ankle monitoring bracelets are often seen as a way to allow people to live in their homes instead of being incarcerated. They are used by every state in the US and the federal government to track the movements and activities of defendants and convicted offenders. However, the use of these devices has been criticised by the ACLU, which argues that they fail to meet their stated goals of ensuring court appearances, protecting public safety, and advancing rehabilitation. Instead, the ACLU claims that electronic monitoring expands mass incarceration and leads to further punishment for minor technical violations, charging malfunctions, and false alarms.

In addition to those awaiting trial or on parole, ankle bracelets may also be used for people temporarily released from jail to treatment centres, as well as for people released from prison who are considered high-risk.

What are the benefits of ankle monitoring bracelets?

Ankle monitoring bracelets are a form of electronic monitoring that has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a way to reduce prison overcrowding. They are typically GPS-enabled tracking devices that are attached to an individual's ankle, allowing authorities to monitor their movements and activities. While there are concerns and criticisms surrounding their use, there are several benefits to using ankle monitoring bracelets as an alternative to incarceration.

One key benefit is their ability to reduce jail overcrowding and associated costs. By providing a means for non-violent offenders to serve their sentences outside of traditional correctional facilities, ankle monitoring bracelets help alleviate the burden on overcrowded jails and generate cost savings for the justice system. This approach can also promote rehabilitation and increase the chances of successful reintegration into society. With ankle monitoring, individuals can maintain their daily routines, continue their employment, and improve their social and vocational skills while being monitored.

Ankle monitoring bracelets also serve as a deterrent and monitoring tool, providing constant oversight while allowing individuals subject to legal restrictions to maintain a degree of freedom within prescribed boundaries. This technology enables authorities to promptly respond to potential violations, enhancing public safety and ensuring compliance with imposed restrictions.

Additionally, ankle monitoring bracelets utilize GPS technology, which offers reliable and accurate tracking capabilities. The bracelets continuously track an individual's movements in real time and can immediately trigger alerts if they enter a restricted area. This level of precision helps ensure the safety of the public and allows authorities to keep a close eye on the wearer's whereabouts.

While there are valid concerns about the potential drawbacks and negative impacts of ankle monitoring bracelets, they can provide benefits such as reduced jail overcrowding, enhanced rehabilitation opportunities, and improved public safety when implemented within a well-regulated legal framework that respects the privacy rights of those being monitored.

What are the limitations of ankle monitoring bracelets?

Ankle monitoring bracelets are used to track the movements and activities of defendants awaiting trial and convicted offenders on parole or probation. They are a form of digital incarceration, known as e-carceration, that allows authorities to monitor individuals without the need for physical incarceration. While ankle bracelets can provide benefits such as reducing jail overcrowding and costs, promoting rehabilitation, and increasing the chances of successful reintegration into society, there are several limitations and concerns associated with their use.

One limitation is the potential for technical failures and false alarms, which can lead to individuals being sent back to jail for minor technical violations. The devices rely on GPS technology, which may be hindered by environmental factors such as thick buildings, dense foliage, or underground locations, resulting in degraded positioning accuracy. Additionally, signal interference from other electronic devices or structures emitting strong electromagnetic signals may affect the bracelet's tracking accuracy.

Another limitation is the financial burden associated with ankle monitoring. In some jurisdictions, individuals are required to pay fees ranging from $3 to $35 per day to wear the device, with additional setup charges that can range from $100 to $200. These costs can be especially burdensome for households already dealing with the financial challenges of a family member's incarceration. Furthermore, individuals may be responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing damaged or missing parts of the device.

Ankle monitoring bracelets can also have negative psychological impacts on wearers, leading to social isolation, stigma, and increased stress, anxiety, and depression. The restrictions on movement and the constant surveillance can be detrimental to the mental health and well-being of the individuals being monitored.

Additionally, ankle monitoring bracelets have been criticised for exacerbating systemic inequities along lines of race, class, and disability. For example, in Detroit, Black people are twice as likely as white people to be electronically monitored.

The use of ankle monitoring bracelets also raises legitimate privacy concerns. While authorities typically implement these devices within a legal framework that includes privacy protections, balancing public safety and the need for rehabilitation with the right to privacy is crucial.

Furthermore, there may be limitations in accessing certain medical procedures while wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet. Medical facilities may not allow individuals with the device to undergo MRI's, x-rays, mammograms, or CT scans due to the presence of metal.

Lastly, the effectiveness of ankle monitoring bracelets in meeting their stated goals has been questioned. Studies have shown that these devices may not demonstrably ensure court appearances, protect public safety, or advance rehabilitation. Instead, they can contribute to mass incarceration, leading to individuals being incarcerated for minor technical violations.

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