NCJ Number
155534
Date Published
1995
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Recent advances in the electronic monitoring (EM) of offenders indicate that continuous electronic monitoring (CEM) will be technologically feasible in the near future; in Texas, EM is used by the Department of Criminal Justice-Pardons and Paroles Division (DCJ-PPD) in 19 metropolitan areas and by 54 Community Supervision and Corrections Departments.
Abstract
The most common EM programs involve an offender wearing a device that transmits a signal to a receiver located in the offender's residence. The receiver sends a signal to a central computer which records the offender's presence or absence at a location. The DCJ-PPD believes that EM technology enhances traditional approaches to offender supervision by assuring that the offender is at home during high-crime night hours. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure allows for EM in the following cases: personal bond, pretrial release, regular supervision, in lieu of jail, in lieu of fines, and as a condition of appeal. CEM technology represents a significantly more comprehensive monitoring system than available under EM because it will not be limited to monitoring house arrest or fixed locations like most existing EM systems. CEM will allow real-time tracking of offenders as they live and work in a community. Potentially, CEM will permit automated monitoring of offenders, identify deviations from prescribed geographic areas and locations, and provide real-time notification to probation and parole officers of supervision violations. The following steps are recommended to determine if large-scale CEM applications are feasible and practical in Texas: investigate any CEM tests that have been attempted; schedule a CEM hearing; determine the need for CEM technology and develop programs goals and criteria; and pilot test a CEM system. Issues to consider in CEM program development and pilot testing are identified, including program goals and procedures and legal issues.