Sierra Wireless, an IoT solutions provider of devices, network and software, has released the Omnilink OM500 ankle bracelet, according to a recent announcement.
This ankle bracelet is an LTE offender monitoring device designed to help law enforcement agencies better manage pre-trial detainees, individuals under house arrest, probationers and parolees.
The OM500 is coupled with Sierra’s FocalPoint application software to create a turnkey, device-to-cloud solution that provides visibility and management of offenders’ whereabouts and movements.
“Without electronic offender monitoring, agencies often struggle to monitor and track the large number of offenders they are responsible for. With the OM500, law enforcement personnel can monitor many offenders simultaneously, enabling government agencies to redeploy crucial department resources, improve efficiencies and make their communities safer,” said Marc Overton, chief solutions officer, Sierra Wireless.
Traditional offender monitoring solutions require participants to charge bracelets for up to two hours per day and have a limited battery life of 24 to 48 hours. This product reduces charge time by up to 75 percent while increasing the battery life by more than double traditional alternatives, the company says.
Victim Safety First (VSF) is an offender monitoring company that is currently using the product. “The new OM500 has immediately impressed us all here at VSF. It is without question the new gold standard in GPS monitors. After testing multiple devices for months now, we are excited to transition all of our clients to the OM500. There are so many new and useful functions, brilliant feedback and communication capabilities, with a battery life unlike anything we’ve seen in 13 years,” said Rachele Smith, owner, Victim Safety First (VSF).
The product has a patented no-speaker audio messaging system that allows agencies to send high-quality, custom voice commands in multiple languages directly to the ankle monitor to relay important information. This information includes reminders for upcoming appointments or notifying the participant of compliance issues to the offender. Improved mapping capabilities that reduce drift are designed to offer more accurate, real-time location data, while geofencing and advanced movement detection technology can be configured to alert officers if an offender has strayed from a designated zone.
Chrissie Cluney has been a correspondent for IoT Evolution World since 2015. She holds a degree in English with a concentration in writing from the College of Saint Elizabeth.Edited by
Ken Briodagh
