Probation, parole with electronic monitoring ineffective

[seamusTX]

Hundreds of convicts on parole or probation have removed or disabled electronic monitors (ankle bracelets). Many are suspected of violent crimes (other than the ones that they were convicted of) and have disappeared.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 29129.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

These people are walking the streets, or maybe prowling.

- Jim

[WildBill]

Intersting article. I had no idea that they could be removed so easily.

[Scott in Houston]

Mine only took me 2 minutes to remove. They'll never catch me.

[seamusTX]

Anything short of a steel collar welded around a person's neck can be removed, especially by someone who literally has nothing better to do.

What bothers me is that these offenders are not choirboys who made a little mistake in judgment. They have no respect for the law, and their lack of respect is reinforced by the toothless means used to punish or monitor them.

I think probation and parole can be effective incentives and help reduce prison populations and the corresponding cost. However, violation of either should result in a lengthy stay in a dreary place.

- Jim

[WildBill]

What bothers me is that these offenders are not like Martha Stewart. They have no respect for the law, and their lack of respect is reinforced by the toothless means used to punish or monitor them. - Jim

That surprised me as well. I didn't think that they used electronic monitoring for that type of criminal.

[seamusTX]

Well, now you know.

Violent repeat offenders are getting parole. We've seen it many times when they barely clear the prison door and commit another offense (allegedly, of course) like this guy:
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=35807&" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[E.Marquez]

Anything short of a steel collar welded around a person's neck can be removed, especially by someone who literally has nothing better to do.

I like it, great plan... I've been welding and fabricating in steel for 20 some odd years now... Is there a citizen volunteer program set up for those of us willing to donate time and materials to the Steel collar parole program ?

[chasfm11]

In an article linked to the one in the OP, there is news that the UK Courts are demanding that the laws be changed to relax the monitoring on sex offenders.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/16/2 ... oring.html

The basis is that the rights of the offenders are being impacted WHILE THEY ARE STILL WITHIIN THEIR ASSIGNED PUNISHMENT PERIOD.

This situation sounds exactly like border security. Monitoring is supposed to occur but it isn't happening. In contrast, Texas has implemented a complex computer system which contacts all of the insurance companies and verifies, at the VIN level, that each registered vehicle has active insurance. I understand it is important to have auto liability insurance. I don't understand how that is more important to tracking a paroled convicted felon.

[seamusTX]

I think I hear a rhetorical question.

An honest citizen will get a driver license, pay for vehicle insurance, plates, and inspection. If he screws up, he will pay a fine, go to court, be sincerely remorseful, etc.

Every now and then you will read about someone who has multiple charges of driving without a license, driving without proof of financial responsibility, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (otherwise known as theft), and possibly multiple DWIs. Usually they don't go to jail until the second or third DWI.

Some years ago an offender in New York City had over 800 violations and skipped court on all of them until he was brought in in handcuffs.

In other words, it is easier to squeeze money out of honest people.

A criminal who has been convicted of multiple felonies is not likely to go along with these "kinder gentler" corrections procedures.

- Jim

[WildBill]

In other words, it is easier to squeeze money out of honest people.
- Jim

Honest people have a conscience and try to do the right thing. Sociopaths don't.

[tacticool]

Maybe we need to strengthen chapter 9.

The actor's use of force or deadly force is justified if the person against whom the force was used was
(A) on probation or parole, and
(B) as a condition of probation or parole was
(1) subject to house arrest and was not at home, or
(2) was ordered to wear a monitoring device and was not wearing the device.

[SAK]

Anything short of a steel collar welded around a person's neck can be removed, especially by someone who literally has nothing better to do.

I like it, great plan... I've been welding and fabricating in steel for 20 some odd years now... Is there a citizen volunteer program set up for those of us willing to donate time and materials to the Steel collar parole program ?

Great idea - I have a wire machine with 1/16" wirefeed i could use to "tack" them on...

[lonewolf]

Insert a tracking chip deep in their abdominal cavity with a syringe, and put sensors on all the access points of their domicile. Like a doggy ID chip......

[WildBill]

Insert a tracking chip deep in their abdominal cavity with a syringe, and put sensors on all the access points of their domicile. Like a doggy ID chip......

I used to have one of those implanted in my arm, but I dug it out with a pocket knife.