GPS as a New Means of Justice

America and Canada are responsible for two of the highest crime rates in the world. As a result of these growing crime rates, incarceration rates are also increasing. Of course, the public seeks justice for all of these offenders. However, it seems as though the judicial system lets several criminals slip through the cracks. The fact is, there just is not enough room in the current jails to accommodate everyone who has committed a crime. Some people are sentenced to house arrest; others are just released. Teens are not being held responsible for their actions. Several ideas have been put forth as to what can be done. Some suggest simply building more jails. However, what would be done if the new jails were to fill? The problem could become a recurring one. So, out of Canada, the idea of using GPS to monitor convicts is causing a stir. Instead of imprisoning offenders, the global positioning system could be used to monitor those offenders twenty-four hours a day and every day of the year. This would save room in the jails all around the world. The idea becomes even more enticing by promising that the most dangerous offenders would be kept in jail while the less menacing will be watched closely by GPS.
I feel like this idea could go either way. Initially it sounds like a good resolution to the problem. It is comforting that the most dangerous people would be put behind bars. However, what happens to the ones that are dangerous enough to be given a sentence, but are only closely monitored by the global positioning system? Sure they will be monitored, but what happens if that specific person commits a crime? Yes, the authorities will know where the person is, but how will this stop the person from committing another crime? Ideally, it would be best to keep any threat to society out of society.
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Mindy Collins