A tracking device, comprising: a portable housing (100, 400, 600, 700) with a locking mechanism (110, 1020); a band (120, 420, 720) in cooperation with the portable housing and configured to be latched about a wrist or ankle of a person; a tampering detection device configured in relation to the housing and/or the band to detect tampering with the band or unauthorized release; the locking mechanism comprising: a power source; a latch (130, 430, 730) configured to latch at least one end of the band within the housing; a shape memory material component (150, 450, 750) connected to the latch; an electrical circuit for controlling the power source to heat the shape memory material component to cause the shape memory material component to change from a first length and/or first shape to a second length and/or second shape during supply of power; wherein when the shape memory material component has the first length and/or shape, the latch prevents release of the one end of the band, and when the shape memory material component has the second length and/or shape, the latch is moved to allow release of the one end of the band; wherein the electrical circuit is configured to control heating of the shape memory material component based on one or more criteria; a timer component associated with the electrical circuit to cause supply of the power for a predetermined period of time when the electrical circuit component is triggered to heat the shape memory material component; a two-way network communication device disposed in cooperation with the portable housing; a tracking element for facilitating location determination and transmission of a location signal; and a tampering signal generation circuit configured to generate a tampering signal for transmission via the two-way communication device when tampering is detected by the tampering detection device. a portable housing (100, 400, 600, 700) with a locking mechanism (110, 1020); a band (120, 420, 720) in cooperation with the portable housing and configured to be latched about a wrist or ankle of a person; a tampering detection device configured in relation to the housing and/or the band to detect tampering with the band or unauthorized release; the locking mechanism comprising: a power source; a latch (130, 430, 730) configured to latch at least one end of the band within the housing; a shape memory material component (150, 450, 750) connected to the latch; an electrical circuit for controlling the power source to heat the shape memory material component to cause the shape memory material component to change from a first length and/or first shape to a second length and/or second shape during supply of power; wherein when the shape memory material component has the first length and/or shape, the latch prevents release of the one end of the band, and when the shape memory material component has the second length and/or shape, the latch is moved to allow release of the one end of the band; wherein the electrical circuit is configured to control heating of the shape memory material component based on one or more criteria; a timer component associated with the electrical circuit to cause supply of the power for a predetermined period of time when the electrical circuit component is triggered to heat the shape memory material component; a two-way network communication device disposed in cooperation with the portable housing; a tracking element for facilitating location determination and transmission of a location signal; and a tampering signal generation circuit configured to generate a tampering signal for transmission via the two-way communication device when tampering is detected by the tampering detection device. a power source; a latch (130, 430, 730) configured to latch at least one end of the band within the housing; a shape memory material component (150, 450, 750) connected to the latch; an electrical circuit for controlling the power source to heat the shape memory material component to cause the shape memory material component to change from a first length and/or first shape to a second length and/or second shape during supply of power; wherein when the shape memory material component has the first length and/or shape, the latch prevents release of the one end of the band, and when the shape memory material component has the second length and/or shape, the latch is moved to allow release of the one end of the band; wherein the electrical circuit is configured to control heating of the shape memory material component based on one or more criteria; a timer component associated with the electrical circuit to cause supply of the power for a predetermined period of time when the electrical circuit component is triggered to heat the shape memory material component; a two-way network communication device disposed in cooperation with the portable housing; a tracking element for facilitating location determination and transmission of a location signal; and a tampering signal generation circuit configured to generate a tampering signal for transmission via the two-way communication device when tampering is detected by the tampering detection device.