A major advantage of GPS technology for monitoring offenders is that it is what?

• A. It is inexpensive compared to incarceration
• B. It eliminates all risk of escape
• C. It provides real-time predictive crime data
• D. It replaces the need for probation officers

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that GPS monitoring offers a cost-effective way to supervise offenders in the community rather than paying the high daily costs of incarceration. Keeping someone in jail or prison involves substantial expenses for housing, meals, healthcare, and staff, every day. GPS supervision provides continuous location data and accountability at a much lower ongoing cost, making it a major financial advantage for the system.

That doesn’t mean it eliminates all risk—no surveillance method guarantees perfect compliance. GPS can alert to violations and help responders take action, but it can be circumvented or require human judgment to interpret and intervene. It also isn’t designed to generate predictive crime data; it tracks where someone is and moves in real time, not future criminal activity. And it doesn’t remove the need for probation officers or other professionals who supervise, interpret data, and coordinate services. It’s best seen as a tool that enhances supervision while reducing costs relative to incarceration.