Electronic Monitoring: A Less Humane Alternative to Incarceration

Electronic monitoring, often seen as a humane alternative to incarceration, is actually a highly invasive and restrictive form of correctional supervision. It involves wearing an ankle bracelet that monitors the target's whereabouts and imposes numerous conditions, such as staying within a specified geographic location, abiding by a schedule, and having a curfew. Violating any of these conditions can result in immediate imprisonment. Despite its growing use, with over 125,000 people on electronic monitoring in 2015, its impact on physical and mental health, along with the financial burden of fees, raises concerns. Electronic monitoring is expanding rapidly, but its limitations and drawbacks should be recognized.