State Uses GPS to Track All Sex Offenders

State unveils program six months early

By SAJID FAROOQ

Updated 2:25 PM PST, Mon, Jan 12, 2009

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Sex offenders beware, the state knows where you are at all times.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced on Monday that it would fit GPS ankle bracelets on all 6,622 sex offender parolees in the state.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger applauded the move as an added layer of protection for California children.

“Having a GPS device on every sex offender parolee in California is an important public safety tool that will hold these individuals accountable for their actions and whereabouts,” the former actor said. “Protecting our children and families from sexual predators is a priority, and with a GPS device on every sex offender on parole and parole agents monitoring these offenders aggressively, we will make our communities safer.”

The sex offenders have all already been fitted with an ankle bracelet that transmits its location to parole agents who monitor them, according to the governor's office. Agents also visit the offenders on a routine basis.

The department of corrections had originally projected to have every sex offender parolee under GPS monitoring by June 2009 but it was able to accessorize the parolees six months early.

"Due to the diligence and hard work of our entire parole division, CDCR is more than six months ahead of schedule in placing the entire sex offender population on GPS supervision," said Division of Adult Parole's Director, Tom Hoffman. "California is by far the nation's leader when it comes to tracking sex offenders using GPS, and this massive effort will assist us in better monitoring the activities of sex offenders on parole and improving public safety."

Jessica’s Law, also known as Proposition 83, which was passed overwhelmingly by California voters in 2006, required that every paroled sex offender be monitored by GPS. More than a year before Jessica’s Law passed, the department of corrections began using GPS to monitor sex offenders and has more GPS units in the field than any other state or law enforcement agency in the country.

Concerned parents and residents can track registered sex offenders via the National Sex Offender Registry online.