The devices are rented by the contractors. Government agencies don’t buy the devices because it’s not interesting to purchase an equipment which technology evolves over time and it’s currently entering its third generation. By renting, agencies won’t keep obsolete devices and will always receive the most up to date versions.

The offender tracking device (OTD) can be reused on different persons – upon undertaking the adequate hygiene procedures and a re-installation process.

The lifespan of an OTD varies with use, but it typically lasts 3 years.

All devices must resist water immersion according to the international certification norm IEC 60529, that determines the resistance to dust and water of a given equipment. The Spacecom OTDs have IP68 certification, ensuring it’s operative under the sea, pools and during showers.

The device fetches the satellites locations, calculate its latitude and longitude coordinates and verifies whether the monitored person is complying with the rules determined by court decision – the person must be at home from 8 PM to 6 AM and at work from 10 AM to 5 PM, for instance. A modem device transmits the data via cell phone signal.
Upon contracting for the offender tracking solution, the government agency may choose to have its own monitoring station.

The OTD main objective is to register every event that might happen during its usage. Upon fraud attempts, the device registers the data to the offender’s records. In the case of disruption of the fixation belt, the system registers the fact and it may serve as proof of no-compliance. A court will be in charge of determining the adequate penalty for the offense. The OTD goal is to serve the criminal justice system with all the necessary information – in real time.

Covering the OTD with reflexive material such as aluminum foil in order to disrupt communication with the monitoring station is most common type of fraud attempt. However, any disruption in the communication is immediately identified and registered as an alarm. No fraud attempt, whatever its nature might be, goes unregistered.

The OTD is granted in two situations: to offenders undertaking an open prison regime and to defendants who still haven’t been convicted.

The device does not prevent the person subjected to supervision (the participant) from committing crimes, but it does hamper the attempt.

Aside from knowing the possibility of losing the benefit of the open prison, other criminals avoid proximity with the participant. Also, the OTD is relieving prison overcrowding and preventing the participants from connecting with more dangerous criminals.

The OTDs assist on the betterment of the fulfilling of the penitentiary role – to make the offenders conscious and aware of their actions, by allowing them to study, work and get the support of their family.

Even though the system tracks every step of the participant, the device goes easily unnoticed by being covered up by the pants.

There is no OTDs shortage. The contracts must undertake the public bid process, regulated by law #8666, dated 1993, and often times the process takes longer than the planned time.

Also, there are situations of lack of payment that might cause the service provider to suspend operations until debt settlement.
Upon not being paid for three months, the service provider may choose to not supply the contractor with new OTDs until settlement.