Tech | June 24, 2008 | 25 comments

U.K. to begin microchipping prisoners

source: http://www.naturalnews.com/023481.html

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goldenways
The British government is developing a plan to track current and former prisoners by means of microchips implanted under the skin, drawing intense criticism from probation officers and civil rights groups.

As a way to reduce prison crowding, many British prisoners are currently released under electronic monitoring, carried out by means of an ankle bracelet that transmits signals like those used by mobile phones.

Now the Ministry of Justice is exploring the possibility of injecting prisoners in the back of the arm with a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that contains information about their name, address and criminal record. Such chips, which contain a built-in antenna, could be scanned by special readers. The implantation of RFID chips in luggage, pets and livestock has become increasingly popular in recent years.

In addition to monitoring incarcerated prisoners, the ministry hopes to use the chips on those who are on probation or other conditional release. By including a satellite uplink system in the chip, police would be able to use global positioning system (GPS) technology to track subjects' exact locations at all times. According to advocates of such a measure, this could help keep sex offenders away from "forbidden" zones like schools.

Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary of the National Association of Probation Officers, blasted the measure as degrading to the people chipped and of no benefit to probation officers.

"Knowing where offenders like pedophiles are does not mean you know what they are doing," Fletcher said. "Treating people like pieces of meat does not seem to represent an improvement in the system to me."

Shami Chakrabarti of the civil rights group Liberty had even stronger words:

"If the Home Office doesn't understand why implanting a chip in someone is worse than an ankle bracelet, they don't need a human-rights lawyer; they need a common-sense bypass."

by: David Gutierrez
  1. groups:
    Tech,   Current News UK,   Big Brother,   British
  2. tags:
    Tech,  Technology,  Current News UK,  UK,  8 more
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25 comments // U.K. to begin microchipping prisoners

  • thegarn
  • ILiveonaClock
  • Wen_Del
    • 0
      Wen_Del  

    • This is where it all starts. If we let this sort of thing happen to ANYBODY, it will open the proverbial Pandora's Box and within 50 years it will effect us all.

    • 3 years ago
  • donkeyfly69
  • fostec
  • SuzyA
    • 0
      SuzyA  

    • I think anything is worth a try, i think the microchips isn't such a bad idea. We need to keep an eye on released prisoners- they just get up to no good when out so it's good knowing where they are and will give their victims peace of mind.

    • 3 years ago
  • undiscoverd
  • emmahill
    • 0
      emmahill  

    • What worries me most is the idea that previous prisoners might be chipped ... Once you finish serving a sentence handed down to you by a court of law, that is penance paid, and you have to be awarded a clean slate to start over again ... Innocent til proven guilty of another crime. Chipping these people is an outrageous abuse.

      But, as for currently serving prisoners, they gave up some liberties on conviction.

      Whilst banged up, every prisoners' where-abouts is monitored and managed. They should be subjected to the same scrutiny even if they are released to serve the remainder of their time free from jail.

    • 3 years ago
  • marko9
  • gormlesstwat
  • BenDorries
    • 0
      BenDorries  

    • Finally something to make outlaws cool again. These days any one can be an outlaw, with this program now you need to rip a huge hole in your body and rip out a computer chip. Sounds pretty bad ass.

    • 3 years ago
  • mattbrawn
    • 0
      mattbrawn  
    • Image

    • Personally, I think it's a good thing for prisoners to be introduced back into the community. It gives them the chance to try and get their life back on track, of course, whether they actually do is down to them, but at least if they've only got a small microchip under their skin as opposed to a cumbersome ankle bracelet, they might not be looked down upon for being criminals, and given a fair, and unprejudiced second chance.

    • 3 years ago
  • powerup
  • ShadesOfInsanity
    • 0
      ShadesOfInsanity  

    • I want someone to tell me why a chip is so much worse than an ankle bracelet.

      They can both be removed.
      This just makes it easier to know where they are. Its peace of mind to their victims, and more freedom from them.

    • 3 years ago
  • steadward
  • subsequent
  • abbym0308
  • Mark701
  • owner1
    • 0
      owner1  

    • im all 4 implanting the chip into criminals. tracking them would give some peace of mind 2 their victims. and they r criminals with records some of them r career criminals who wont stop their dirty deeds even with a chip in them. chip them all or give them the ankle bracelet at least someone will know where they are. safety first 4 the general public.

    • 3 years ago
  • donkeyfly69
    • 0
      donkeyfly69  
    • owner1:

      an ankle bracelet is ok but definitely not chipping

      once you start you can't stop, too many people will be ok with chipping and we will be living in an orwellian society.

    • 3 years ago
  • JanforGore
  • TheVanguard
    • 0
      TheVanguard  

    • The prisoners shouldn't have to remove them. They shouldn't be implanted in the first place. George Orwell is rolling in his grave. How fitting that it's in the UK...or should I say Oceania?

    • 3 years ago
  • Dmitri_Molotov
  • neckfire
    • 0
      neckfire  

    • Next will be immigrants and the elderly. At least the security on RFID is extremely poor. I can imagine some brilliant individual renaming every prisoner in the yard Drew Peacock.

    • 3 years ago
  • 1percent
    • 0
      1percent  

    • Schools in the U.S. are looking to start tracking schoolchildren as well.

      Kids in school, prisoners, pets, what's the difference.

      Welcome to the New World Order.

    • 3 years ago
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