Home as a Prison: Can it Work?

• NCJ Number: 117209
• Journal: Journal of Offender Monitoring Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1989) Pages: 10-12,14-15,18
• Author(s): P Johnson
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Demonstrative)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper originally presented at the second International Conference on the Electronic Monitoring of Offenders, Leicester Polytechnic School of Law, Leicester, U.K. on October 28, 1988.

Annotation

This article describes a Michigan program that electronically monitors selected prisoners in their homes.

Abstract

Electronically monitored home confinement was proposed as a partial solution to prison overcrowding in Michigan. Prisoners selected for participation in the program qualify for halfway house work release status. The program has five major elements: (1) a prisoner classification system that uses actuarial risk prediction to screen out the most violent prisoners; (2) a device that sends out continuous signals to monitor curfews; (3) an emphasis on prisoner employment; (4) biweekly substance abuse testing; and (5) caseloads below 35 per field agent. Prisoners in the program who are employed must pay the rental cost of their electronic monitoring devices. The article details program results and costs, pointing out that the annual cost per prisoner for this method of confinement was $15,866. Recommendations for adopting the program are outlined, with special emphasis on the need to select participants and technology with care.