Tennessee May Use GPS on Parolees (violent sex offenders)

[Barrett808]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Seven contractors have expressed interest in the state's $2.5 million pilot project that would use a global positioning system, or GPS, to keep track of violent sex offenders that have been paroled.

The tracking technology was first used in Florida in late 1990s to keep track of released felons, and some cities and counties in other states utilize GPS for similar uses.

The Tennessee project will not be used statewide for at least a year after it begins early in 2005. It will be focused in Memphis and Nashville and other parts of the state's three grand divisions.

"Basically, we want to have a good mix between urban and rural areas," said state Rep. Rob Briley, D-Nashville, chief House sponsor of legislation creating the pilot program.

...

"You all are the first in the nation to do this," Mandy Wettstein of General Dynamics, one of the potential bidders on the project, told a news reporter. "The country will be watching to see how successful this sex offender tracking program is."

(more)

http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/gps_sexoffenders_040713.html

[LiberalBushFan]

1. There is no need to attach a GPS to anyone, ever

This is just an excuse to start something that they can maybe spread to the general population. Either the sex offenders are still a risk, in which they should stay or prison, or they're not a risk, in which case they should be free. If they're so dangerous they need to be tracked, they're too dangerous not to keep in prison.

[Trillo]

2. It's also about selling the technology to a deep pocket. nt

[Nevernose]

3. I think it's a pretty good idea

Violent sex offenders are the biggest reoffenders, and it makes sense to keep an eye on them. Beisdes, it's not being used on people who have "done their time": it's being used on parolees, people who still have time left to serve.

[Heddi]

4. Yep. I see no difference between this

and the little ankle bracelets they use for many parolees (both sexual and non-sexual offenders alike)

[AndyTiedye]

6. It Won't Work. This is a Boondoggle.

Just put a :tinfoilhat: on the GPS and the GPS can't hear the satellites.
Same if you're indoors, or in a forest.

[Don_G]

5. There Will Be A Way Around It

Didn't a 14 year-old murder suspect recently escacpe by gluing her GPS tracking device to a cat?

[SoCalDem]

7. Here's what would really work..

have "bracelets" made for children...the non removeable kind.. Insert a chip or whatever inside them that would make them vibrate when a gps of a sex offender was within 100 feet or so..

They could be like "Spidey-sense" bracelets that would warn children that they better find a trusted adult immediately, or get the hell out of wherever they were.. :)

[Hobarticus]

8. How does this stop sexual assault?

Is anyone really thinking this through, or does it just sound ridiculous?

[SoCalDem]

9. see # 7..

My idea would not tell exactly who the person is, but iot would give a kid a heads up and time to get the hjell away from the area.. It would also remove "temptation" for the offender..