A recent investigation by the LA Times reports that many of the 8,000 on electronic monitoring in California are simply removing their devices. The jails are too full to hold them and presumably parole officers are too busy to chase them down. Among other things, this shows that electronic monitoring needs to be a planned program not just a quick fix way to get people out on the streets.  Often part of the reason people cut off leg monitors is because it becomes almost impossible for them to get permission to move out of their house.  We need to know more about what is causing people to cut off their ankle bracelets rather than simply assuming they are doing so out of an urge for criminality. To read the story visit: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/03/thousands-of-paroled-ca-sex-offenders-felons-easily-disable-gps-monitors/