NCJ Number
141151
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1992) Pages: 42-47
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The electronic monitoring program operated by the nonprofit organization Pride, Inc. in Palm Beach County (Florida) since 1984 was evaluated with respect to its costs, effectiveness, impacts, and procedures.
Abstract
The analysis used information from the first 415 cases, which occurred from late 1984 through November 1, 1989. The offenders ranged in age from 17 to 71 and included 359 males and 56 females. Thirty-one percent had less than a high school education, and 39 percent had only a high school education. Most were charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under suspension (DUS) of a license. Fewer than 2 percent were charged with violent crimes. Ninety- seven percent of the offenders completed their electronic monitoring period successfully, and nearly 80 percent completed their entire term of probation. Of the 11 revocations, only 2 involved new violations: a burglary and a battery. The program handled less than 1.5 percent of the DWI offenders and therefore had little impact on the criminal justice system. However, it appears to be more integrative and rehabilitative than jail, can be implemented fairly and consistently, is both effective and cost- effective in terms of outcome, and has an unrealized potential for much greater impact. Tables and 28 references