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Reporters from the Courier-Mail in Queensland, Australia, recently did some investigating. Journalists  discovered that 53 percent of violent and dangerous sex offenders living in Queensland violated parole more than 150 times throughout the past year. Reporters also pointed out that Queensland correctional officers currently use archaic radio monitoring devices that do not track daily movements.

Hearing nothing but promises to consider GPS tracking technology from the Queensland Government, the Courier-Mail staff took tracking sex offenders personally. Staff tested one GPS device that effectively tracked one reporter’s movements all around town, on a train, and in another town. Courier-Mail reporters also pointed out that the GPS device in-question retailed for around $400 ($150 per year maintenance and tracking fee).

For around $500 per parolee, Queensland could be tracking dangerous criminals. Instead, the Queensland Government is sticking to the old radio devices that have allowed criminals to repeatedly violate parole throughout the past year.

These devices notify authorities when criminals are not at home or at work, but authorities do now know when an offender has entered a playground, for example.  Needless to say, the public and the press is outraged at the government’s decision. The Queensland Government has pledged to test some new GPS trackers over the course of the next three years. At the time of this writing, no steps have been made to purchase or test the trackers.

As many who live in Queensland believe, not taking advantage of GPS technology is a mistake that could cost many young adults and children their lives.

Article Written by Harriette Halepis