Ibarra, P., Gur, O., & Erez, E. (2014). Surveillance as casework: Supervising domestic violence defendants with GPS technology. Crime Law Soc Change, 62(4), 417-444.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10611-014-9536-4
The gist and focal point of the article under review in this brief report and annotation is not all that complex. Indeed, there is a look at the use of surveillance and GPS technology as a means to supervise and keep an eye on people that are suspects in criminal actions that are of a domestic violence nature. Indeed, many people that are facing charges for such crimes are deemed to be a potential danger to the alleged victim and thus some jurisdiction use GPS technology to help ensure that the defendant is not potentially harassing or otherwise giving discomfort to the alleged victim. The use of this technology causes surveillance to be a huge part of the casework that the criminal justice system must thus deal with. The journal article states that the use of surveillance has become "pervasive" and thus it would be wise to look at its proliferation as well as its impact on society. Further, the article purports to look at "whether an agency is directed towards crime control and risk management, providing treatment and assistance, or observing due process" when it comes to the use of such technology. The report mentions that surveillance is a huge part of life and this even and often pertains to people that are not convicts or those suspected of or arrested for a crime. For example, someone swiping...
Employers or other people "keeping tabs" on social media activity is a less automated way of the same overall behavior.
Analysis
The world is indeed becoming more digitized and surveilling in nature. However, while this may be unsettling and perhaps deemed improper by some, it is in many cases a necessary evil. For one, if someone is arrested for domestic violence, there is usually good cause for it. Of course, the arresting officers are not typically at the scene when the crime (or alleged crime) happens and they will tend to arrest whomever has the most injuries or at least the more defensive injuries. Beyond that, there indeed people that are very abusive, controlling and otherwise violent or depraved when it comes to their spouse or partner. Where GPS could (and should) come in, at least in the eyes of many, is when it comes to restraining orders or otherwise making sure that an abusive partner leaves the abused party alone. After all, the old saying "a restraining order is just a piece of paper" exists for a reason. Even when a court order exists that bars such activity, there are assailants and suspects that just do not care and will violate such an order without a second thought as they are focused on what they feel is their right and/or the suspect is just deranged overall. At the same time, people…
