USING ANKLE MONITORS FOR PAROLED PRISONERS

USING ANKLE MONITORS FOR PAROLED PRISONERS

Why are we not using ankle monitors for paroled prisoners in the Philippines?

That question has bothered me for quite some time, especially now that our prison facilities are overflowing far beyond their intended capacities. Some people immediately say that electronic monitoring systems are too expensive, but studies from many countries have already disproven that belief.

In fact, keeping a prisoner inside a jail cell is far more expensive than monitoring qualified parolees through ankle bracelets or electronic monitoring devices.

Globally, the daily cost of electronic monitoring ranges from about $3 to $36 per day, depending on the technology being used. By comparison, the daily cost of incarceration ranges from about $100 to $130 per prisoner once food, utilities, personnel salaries, healthcare, and maintenance are included.

Even in the Philippines, the national budget already allocates about P100 per day for the food of every prisoner, plus additional amounts for medicines and other expenses. That does not yet include the costs of jail personnel, electricity, water, transportation, and facility maintenance.

If we compute the real cost honestly, overcrowded jails are draining billions of pesos from taxpayers every year.

The second objection is public safety. Critics say that prisoners released under electronic monitoring could escape or commit more crimes. However, the experience of many countries shows that modern GPS ankle monitors are generally reliable and tamper-resistant. They can immediately alert authorities if a parolee enters prohibited areas or violates curfew restrictions.

Of course, no computerized system is perfect. Like all digital technologies, electronic monitoring systems may still be vulnerable to hacking or technical failures. But if fear of technology stops us from modernizing, then we might as well reject computers, online banking, and digital government services altogether.

To me, however, the real issue is neither money nor technology. The real issue is morality.

I believe it is immoral for any society to allow prisoners to live in severely overcrowded conditions that already violate human dignity. Yes, prisoners must answer for their crimes, but punishment should not mean stripping them of basic human rights.

What is the true purpose of our prison system anyway?

Is it merely to lock people away like human warehouse inventory? Or is it supposed to rehabilitate them so they can eventually return to society as productive citizens?

Sadly, many prisons today have become training grounds for hardened criminals instead of centers for rehabilitation. Overcrowding contributes heavily to that problem.

To be clear, I am not advocating the mass release of all prisoners. I am only suggesting that some qualified low-risk offenders, especially those with good behavior records, elderly prisoners, or individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses, could be considered for supervised release through ankle monitoring systems, subject of course to judicial approval.

Many countries already use electronic monitoring for parole, probation, house arrest, and even pre-trial release. Some systems even monitor alcohol consumption through devices known as SCRAM bracelets.

Meanwhile, a parolee under electronic monitoring can continue working, supporting his or her family, and paying taxes instead of becoming a total burden on taxpayers.

Studies also suggest that electronic monitoring may reduce repeat offenses because parolees know they are constantly being tracked.

Perhaps the best approach is to start with a pilot project in selected areas of the Philippines. Let us study whether the system can work effectively under local conditions before expanding it nationwide.

After all, the ultimate objective is not simply to punish people. The real objective is to reduce crime, reduce repeat offenders, and restore human beings back into society whenever possible.

If technology can help us achieve that goal while saving public funds and reducing jail congestion, then perhaps the better question is no longer “Why should we use ankle monitors?”

Perhaps the better question is: “Why are we still refusing to seriously consider them?”

RAMON IKE V. SENERES

www.facebook.com/ike.seneres  iseneres@yahoo.com  senseneres.blogspot.com  09088877282/06-24-2027

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