NCJ Number
103251
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 50 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1986) Pages: 3-14
Date Published
1986
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Telephone interviews were conducted with probation administrators, telemetry manufacturers, and users to examine the costs and benefits and the management and policy implications of electronic monitoring systems.
Abstract
Respondents agreed that the major monetary benefit deriving from the use of monitoring systems is in diverting offenders from the correctional system who otherwise would be incarcerated. This produces savings both in day-to-day costs and in construction costs. Nonmonetary benefits identified included the enhancing effect of technological advances on the public image of probation services, human benefits (e.g., less disruption of jobs and families), and improved prison and jail conditions for incarcerated offenders. A number of functional considerations raised in interviews included the costs of installing and using the system and responsibility for them and the requirement that the probationer have a telephone. Potential applications of the technology identified by respondents included pretrial diversion, weekend sentences, work release programs, and monitoring of juveniles for whom there is no appropriate placement. Policy and administrative concerns raised related to the need for 24-hour surveillance, action on false alarms, training, necessary liaison with courts and prosecutors, whether surveillance should be privatized, and invasion of privacy and the potential for abuses. 6 references.