Prison overcrowding and inmate warehousing are the major concerns in the criminal justice system, and the cost of keeping defendants in jail is a burden on taxpayers. That’s why in several jurisdictions throughout the United States, ankle monitors are used in lieu of keeping non-violent offenders in custody.
What are Ankle Monitors?
Ankle monitors also known as ankle bracelet or tether are electronic devices that offenders wear while sentenced to house arrest, parole or probation. A truly tamper-proof strap eliminates disruption issues and notifies offender’s location to authorities immediately via GPS when it is cut or removed. Attempting to go outside of the permitted area triggers an alarm to law enforcement. Usually, all ankle bracelets are waterproof but the level of water-resistance varies for different devices.
What are the Rules for Ankle Monitors in Clayton County?
For many low-risk offenders, house arrest is a better alternative than going to jail. And, you can’t have house arrest without an ankle monitor. Ankle monitors have many restrictions and if the offender fails to obey them, he or she could end up landing in jail. Some of the restrictions may include:
- Pay all court fees
- Abstain from drugs or alcohol
- Meet with parole officer weekly
- Employment
- Stay in compliance with all conditions of supervision
Types of Ankle Monitor Units
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Radio-frequency Transmitter
The Radio-frequency transmitter unit transmits a signal to a receiver unit which is placed in the defendant’s house. The residence unit uses either a landline or a cellular network to send information to a service center computer. The unit can be set to detect an ankle bracelet within a range of 50 to 150 feet. If the defendant is not at the pre-set distance range during the times they are scheduled to be home, an alert message is sent to the parole officer.
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GPS Monitoring
GPS monitoring requires a defendant to wear a monitor and permits parole officers to track the person’s location. The defendant requires carrying a mobile phone in some cases or both functions may be incorporated into one ankle unit.
GPS units are similar to RF technology and alert the monitoring center when the defendant comes within the range of his or her home. Probation officers decide inclusion and exclusion zones for an offender, which can be permanent or set to a schedule. In recent years, GPS house-arrest monitors have been used to enforce restraining orders.
Alcohol Monitoring
There are certain home-monitoring devices designed to detect alcohol consumption. One type of ankle monitors detects changes in a defendant’s blood alcohol content (BAC) via skin contact. Another type is a picture breathalyzer which is installed in the offender’s residence. The person has to blow into the breathalyzer at regular intervals and then it measures BAC. The breathalyzer features a camera mount which takes a picture of the offender during the test. The Sentinel Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor, or SCRAM, is a common water-resistant alcohol monitor.
Call AA Professional Bail Bonding today to discuss prices, installation and understand every step of ankle monitoring services.
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