GEO Group, which together with CoreCivic controls a near-total monopoly of the privatized mass incarceration business, is planning a significant expansion in its surveillance programs that are both vast and deeply invasive. These programs are run through its subsidiary BI Inc., which originally specialized in cattle-tracking surveillance.
Who is the GEO Group?
The GEO Group is a private for-profit corporation that operates detention centers and provides electronic monitoring services through its subsidiary, BI Inc. Their growing corporate octopus includes mass incarceration for state and federal systems, ICE detention, and management of the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), which monitors immigrants using ankle monitors, smartwatches, and smartphone apps like SmartLINK.
Who is BI, Incorporated (BI Inc.)?
BI Incorporated (BI Inc.) is a U.S.-based company originally founded in 1978 in Boulder, Colorado, to track and monitor livestock. It was later acquired by the GEO Group. BI Inc. now specializes in electronic monitoring and surveillance technologies, primarily for law enforcement and immigration enforcement agencies.
BI Inc. manages the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which provides “alternatives” to detention through electronic monitoring. As of early 2025, ISAP monitors approximately 186,000 immigrants using a range of technologies.
BI Inc.’s Current Surveillance Tech Already in Use
BI Inc. manufactures and distributes a wide range of surveillance tools:
SmartLINK App
A smartphone application utilizing facial recognition and geolocation to monitor individuals. The SmartLINK app has come under heavy criticism for being a “digital prison” that subjects users to constant surveillance. It facilitates communication between clients and supervising officers, allowing for check-ins, appointment scheduling, document submissions, and access to community resources. The app uses biometric facial comparison and liveness detection during check-ins. It can be installed on a client’s personal smartphone or on a BI-provided device called BI Mobile®.
VeriWatch® – Wrist-Worn GPS Monitor
A discreet wrist-worn device resembling a consumer smartwatch. It uses GPS and biometric facial comparison to confirm the wearer’s identity. The device includes an on-device camera, liveness detection, and an optical proximity sensor to detect tampering. It operates on a secure, custom operating system designed for community supervision.
BI LOC8® XT – Ankle-Worn GPS Monitor
A low-profile, curved ankle bracelet designed for continuous location tracking. It utilizes GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular technology to monitor movements and includes tamper detection features and over-the-air firmware updates. The device offers up to 60 hours of battery life on a single charge and can be recharged wirelessly in under two hours.
BI Mobile® – Secure Smartphone for Monitoring
A secure smartphone pre-installed with the SmartLINK® app. It serves as an alternative to wearable tracking devices, providing communication tools, location monitoring, and 24/7 customer support. It runs Mobile Device Management (MDM) software for cybersecurity.
BI SL3® – Portable Alcohol Monitoring Device
A lightweight, handheld breathalyzer that detects alcohol through deep lung breath samples. This pocket-sized device allows users to submit Breath Alcohol Content (BrAC) tests from any location with cellular service.
Expansion, Timeline, and Implementation
The GEO Group has announced plans to significantly expand the ISAP program. While no specific timeline for reaching the 10 million figure has been released, the company is actively building out infrastructure to accommodate this expansion. This includes ramping up production of monitoring devices and enhancing technology to manage a significantly larger population.
Company executives estimate scaling up the monitored population to between 370,000 and 450,000 within the next year. The long-term goal is to monitor up to 10 million individuals. This expansion is driven by policy changes and increased enforcement priorities.
To support this growth, GEO Group is investing $16 million into expanding surveillance resources, including increasing the inventory of ankle monitors and other monitoring devices.
GEO Group Stock
April 16, 2025: Closing price at $29.07
January 17, 2025: All-time high closing price of $35.35
52-Week Range: Low of $11.75 and high of $36.46
2024 Performance: Stock surged by 158.36%, closing the year at $27.98
This significant uptick in 2024 aligns with increased investor interest following political developments, including the election of Donald Trump and his administration’s renewed emphasis on mass incarceration and immigration enforcement.
GEO Group, 1990-2025
