Should Scotland Yard Consider GPS Trackers?
A Mixture of Public Sentiment vs. Agency Attitudes
Releasing of at-risk Offenders on Parole Proves Dangerous
Source acquired via Scotsman.com, June 18, 2010, Scotland – Four years ago, John Daly, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in jail for the brutal rape of a 17-year-old girl. After serving four years in prison, Daly was released. Two months after his release, Daly raped a 26-year-old school teacher. Citizens of Scotland are now wondering whether Scotland Yard can keep up with parolees, or if they need a little help from GPS technology.
Political Party Voices Express Interest in GPS Tracking
One political party, the Scottish Tories, are insisting that the Daly case is an ideal example of parole gone wrong. The Tories believe that using GPS technology is the best way to keep an eye on violent criminals such as John Daly. Party spokesman, John Lamont, argued that even though “…John Daly was sentenced to seven and a half years for a horrific rape in 2005, he was freed just four years later.” Lamont went on to say that “…the measures currently in place to protect people in Scotland from sex offenders must be far more robust. Merely placing somebody on the sex offenders register is not enough.”
Even though the school teacher who Daly raped was with a friend when she decided to go back to Daly’s apartment, Daly managed to send her friend away. While the teacher was alone with Daly, he brutally raped her causing extensive bruising to her neck, breasts, and arms. The schoolteacher told press that Daly apologized to her before he fled to a local night club where he was apprehended. While many believe that this case is good cause for the use of GPS trackers, Scotland Yard does not agree.
Government Shuns Tracking
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government commented on the recent incident by stating that “Scotland is one of the leading countries in the world in terms of its approach to the management of sex offenders and we will continue to strengthen our approach to dealing with them. Significant progress has been made in recent years – such as strengthening measures to assess, manage and minimise the risks posed under the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements.”
While progress may have been made by the Scottish Government, many do not hold much confidence that dangerous parolees will be held at bay by the government alone. Throughout the world, many countries have turned to GPS tracking devices in order to keep criminals in line. While the technology is not perfect, most criminals are deterred from committing additional crimes while being monitored. Scotland has always kept a close eye on criminals, but with the changing times comes changing crimes – crimes that may not be resolved without the help of GPS tracking technology.
Tags: agency attitudes, at-risk, Government, GPS Tracking, paroles, polical party, public sentiment, Scottish
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