Massachusetts will join a growing list of states using GPS technology to track the whereabouts of sex offenders who are on parole or on probation. According to reports, nearly 219 Level 3 sex offenders will be monitored via a GPS receiver worn by those persons on their bodies to help ensure they don’t go within a certain distance of prohibited areas, like schoolyards. The state received a $1 million budget to pay for the program.

The company providing the GPS tracking system, which should roll out in January 2005, was not disclosed.