The Rise of the GPS Monitoring Device in Bail Bondsmen

Ankle Bracelets
Bail Bondsmen

Demand for GPS ankle monitors has surged since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Courts have ordered an estimated 25-30% more prisoners to wear GPS monitors.

Bail bondsmen are also part of the overall increase in demand. Defendants released on a bail bond are 28% less likely to fail to appear than defendants released on their own recognizance. However, the added security that GPS monitoring provides has attracted the attention of many bail bond agents.

Find out how GPS monitoring can benefit you and your business as a bail bond agent.

How Does a GPS Ankle Monitor Work?

GPS ankle monitors have a GPS receiver and cellular communication capabilities. They also have tamper sensors and alert indicators. Many devices also have a communication system so that monitoring staff can communicate with the defendant.

The ankle monitor detects GPS signals from the network of GPS satellites in orbit. It provides location information every minute or every few minutes.

The GPS ankle monitor transmits the data to a central monitoring hub. Monitoring staff has information in real-time about the wearer’s movements.

When the GPS device registers the wearer’s movement and tracking data, it checks the data against the schedules and zones that the monitoring staff has programmed into the device. If the wearer appears to violate the terms of the GPS order, the device sends an alert. Staff can then verify if the wearer’s behavior was actually non-compliant.

GPS Monitoring for Bail

Judges can order GPS ankle monitoring as a condition for releasing a defendant on bail. Judges order GPS monitoring if they believe the defendant poses a danger to others or a possible flight risk.

Conditions of the defendant’s release can include several types of restrictions. The GPS order may specify places where the defendant can’t go or more general restrictions on travel. The defendant may have a curfew.

Bail Bondsmen and GPS Monitoring

A bail bondsman may require GPS monitoring as a condition for writing the bail bond. Bail bonds are some of the riskiest surety bonds to write. If the defendant doesn’t appear in court, the surety company has to pay the full amount of the bond.

Most surety companies request the additional security of GPS monitoring before approving larger bail amounts. In some cases, the bail bondsman may refuse a bond unless the client agrees to the extra security of a GPS device.

Benefits of Using GPS Ankle Monitoring 

GPS monitoring gives the bondsman extra security in writing bonds. You can verify if the defendant is complying with the terms of their release.

You have more assurance that the defendant will appear for their court dates. GPS monitoring can reduce the odds that a defendant will abscond. If a defendant does skip town, you can locate them with GPS monitoring.

You are less likely to lose a bond. You avoid the time and expense of recovering the collateral assets and liquidating the equity for the bond.

An ankle monitor reduces the number of necessary recovery agents. The GPS company continuously monitors the defendant and sends you alerts if any issues or problems come up.

Cost of GPS Monitoring

As a bail bondsman, you don’t have to take on the cost burden of providing GPS ankle monitoring devices. You can include the cost of GPS monitoring as part of the bail bond agreement.

In some circumstances, the court will reduce the amount of bail required if GPS monitoring is a condition of the release. You may choose to offer defendants a lower rate if they agree to use GPS monitoring. Some bail bondsmen require less collateral on larger or higher risk bond cases if the defendant cooperates with GPS monitoring.

GPS bail bonds can make you more competitive compared with other bail bondsmen.

Security and Ease of Use

GPS monitoring technology is becoming increasingly secure and easy to use. You don’t want to have to take an advanced course just to learn how to use a GPS ankle monitor. You also don’t want to have to worry about a defendant removing or jamming the device.

Secure and Durable

GPS ankle monitors like the ReliAlert XC3 offer a range of advanced features.

The XC3 has superior anti-jamming capabilities. The optional steel-encased security cuff is extremely difficult for a defendant to remove. Its fiber optics are tamper-proof.

The battery can last 55 hours on a full charge, and it will do 500 charging cycles before it needs replacement.

GPS sensors are accurate to within 6.5 feet. If GPS service isn’t available, the device automatically shifts to cellular triangulation. You get uninterrupted location data.

User-Friendly

You can check in with defendants using the two-way voice communication capabilities of the monitoring device.

The XC3 has a user-friendly mobile application. You can easily adjust the monitoring and reporting levels. You can choose one-minute or five-minute reporting intervals.

Making these changes using the software means that you don’t have to change devices.

Convenience

A staff member from the GPS company will make it convenient for you to install the monitoring device. They can come to your office, the jail, the court, or the defendant’s residence.

Once the device is installed, the GPS company will handle the enrollment process, billing, monitoring, and reporting.

Choosing a Partner for Your GPS Monitoring Devices

You need a reliable supplier to be your partner in providing and using GPS ankle monitors. Bail bondsmen have enough to manage without additional administrative tasks.

Kapa Technologies works with the global leader in GPS ankle monitors to provide the most high-quality devices. Our flagship product is the ReliAlert XC3, which gives you the best performance for security, durability, and ease of use.

Shipping is free. You can usually get the products that you need the next business day.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll discuss your needs and find the right products for your preferences and budget.

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