Gov't to introduce anklets for violent criminals

SEOUL, Aug. 30 (Yonhap) -- The government said Sunday it plans to introduce
electronic tracking anklets for people released after being imprisoned for
violent crimes like murder.
The Ministry of Justice said the plan to be forwarded to parliament for approval
this year aims to deter repeat offenses by people who have been incarcerated for
murder or armed robbery.
The ministry pointed out that anklets worn by convicted rapists and child
molesters have proven to be effective.
"The electronic device can cut back on crime, as well as reduce the time the
government has to keep a person locked up for fear he or she may commit another
crime," a ministry official said.
Of the 472 people who have been ordered to wear such devices starting from early
July, only one has broken the law again.
Studies released in March also showed that of the 219 parolees who have been
ordered to wear the device since September 2008, only one has committed a sex
crime again, translating into a mere 0.46 percent of the total.
This is much lower than the recidivism rate of 5.2 percent that existed for sex
offenders before the anklets were introduced.
The devices can track of a person's whereabouts in detail, making it very easy
for police to isolate a possible culprit in case there is a crime. It can also
warn law enforcement officers if a wearer is violating curfew or entering banned
areas such as school zones or areas where former victims live. Trying to remove
the anklet without authorization can lead to arrest.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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