Electronic tagging is a method of monitoring the whereabouts of an offender, such as in the enforcement of house arrest. It is used as an alternative to imprisonment or for probation or parole supervision. Some types of tagging include plastic anklets or bracelets, encoders that are checked via telephone or computer, and Global Positioning System devices. Each type uses signaling technology to inform authorities of an offender’s location. Officials carefully select which offenders can be tagged instead of imprisoned. Criminals ineligible for tagging include those who have escape histories or who pose a threat to the community.
