South Carolina Eye On The Sky To Protect The Abused
South Carolina, which leads the nation in the number of women killed by men, is set to begin using Global Positioning System (GPS) units to track domestic-violence offenders’ movements and quickly verify and respond to violations. Authorities and the offender’s victim will immediately be notified if the offender steps out of the set boundaries. The state’s Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services is preparing 65 GPS units, purchased with a $120,000 federal grant.
The units are worn on the offender’s belt and are electronically connected to an ankle bracelet that immediately alerts authorities if it is removed.
Sandy Gibson of the Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon reports that the units should be in use by the middle of April or the beginning of May, while Sarah Barber of the Domestic Abuse Center in Columbia calls the program “a positive step forward for victims’ safety.” Other states making use of GPS technology include Florida, Minnesota, and Arizona.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the tate (SC) (03/04/04) P. A1; Leach, Lauren..