Final answer:
Electronic monitoring is a trend in supervising criminal offenders, which includes technologies like GPS tracking. It is seen as more cost-effective than incarceration, particularly for low-risk or non-violent offenders, and can facilitate rehabilitation by allowing offenders to maintain community ties.
Step-by-step explanation:
There is currently a trend towards the use of electronic monitoring with criminal offenders. Electronic monitoring includes various technologies that enable tracking and supervision of individuals without the need for incarceration. For example, technologies such as GPS tracking, electronic toll collection devices, and monitoring through communication devices facilitate this approach. In the context of criminal justice, the effectiveness of electronic monitoring is often measured against other strategies like incarceration, diversion to drug treatment programs, and intensive supervision by probation officers.
Although incarceration remains a common practice, it is a costly one, with the average cost of holding a federal prisoner in the U.S. being $43,836 per year as of 2021. In contrast, alternative strategies such as electronic monitoring can be more cost-effective. This approach is particularly relevant for low-risk or non-violent offenders where incarceration may not be the most appropriate response. In addition to cost considerations, electronic monitoring can aid in the rehabilitation process, potentially reducing recidivism by allowing offenders to maintain employment, family, and community ties while under supervision.
The use of electronic monitoring is part of a broader shift in the criminal justice system, away from a one-size-fits-all approach of incarceration towards a more nuanced understanding of crime prevention and offender rehabilitation. This strategy reflects a recognition that different types of offenders require different approaches tailored to their specific needs and risks.