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Abstract: 

Today’s smartphones are essentially powerful handheld computers that also provide cellular communications. Among other features, smartphones typically integrate a touchscreen interface, Internet access, camera, video recorder, GPS navigation and an operating system capable of running downloaded applications. In this article, two nationally respected technology experts survey how the multifaceted power and nearly universal prevalence within society of smartphone technology is creating a unique opportunity for its use as a supervision tool. Specifically, they examine the capabilities and limitations of smartphones as tools for offender monitoring, their potential as agents for positive behavioral change, their capacity for continuous tracking and periodical location sampling, and their unprecedented potential for accessing local resources and creating rewards and incentive systems.

Keywords: Smartphone monitoring; biometrics; location monitoring; appointments and reminders; rewards and incentives

Affiliations:  1: Justice Technology Information Center; 2: Justice Technology Information Center.