University makes microchip to trace escapees

Research is being done at the Central University of Technology, in Bloemfontein, on implanting microchips in prisoners to monitor their whereabouts.

Farhad Aghdasi, of the school of electrical and computer systems engineering, says radio frequency identification has been around for several years and, in the last eight years, its application has been intensified.

Overcrowding issue
Aghdasi says the university has been in contact with department of correctional services and several companies regarding the technology.

With 189 000 prisoners being house at prisons with a capacity of 120 000, the department is looking at possibilities of early parole mechanisms. The chip is to be implanted to keep prisoners from removing it.

Aghdasi says ethical issues can be overcome, as the implants will only be done on people with a criminal record. He believes if people knew they were monitored all the time, crime levels would decrease.