NCJ Number
122086
Journal
Journal of Offender Monitoring Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1990) Pages: 12-15,18-20
Date Published
1990
Length
7 pages
Annotation
While the electronically monitored, in-home detention industry has been growing slowly but steadily since its inception in the early 1980s, various jurisdictions have discovered there are advantages to both contracting with a service provider and purchasing house arrest equipment in order to operate a monitoring program with internal resources.
Abstract
Some components of the system are required for the implementation of either method. There must be a rationale for the program which will extend the operational principles of the criminal justice system and be easily integrated with existing programs. The agency must address the issue of eligibility for electronically monitored in-home detention; policies and procedures must be developed and operationalized prior to the program's inauguration. Every electronic monitoring program needs an adequate and qualified field staff to conduct check-ins, home visits, drug and alcohol screening, and follow-ups on violations. Additionally, the central station monitoring must be performed in a professional and consistent way. When an agency does opt for an in-home detention program, the choice between a service provider and an agency-based program may depend on the kinds and quality of services available. Some general consideration should be the provider's experience and credentials, the criminal justice background of the company's staff, the references given, and the company's financial status and liability insurance. There are also technical considerations, including the choice between a continuous signaling, transmitter-based system or a random calling system. The operation of the monitoring system can be twenty-four hours or only daytime. Finally, data management relates to the procedures the company has for responding to violations and how the provider will issue reports on client activity.