NCJ Number
126159
Date Published
1990
Length
103 pages
Annotation
This 1989 survey of electronic monitoring throughout the United States focused on dispersion and growth, equipment choice and function, user fees, impact on staff positions, the management of program violations, program context, selection of offenders for monitoring, and legal trends.
Abstract
To determine numbers of clients and program characteristics, a census of all known monitoring sites in the United States was taken on February 12, 1989. Client characteristics were determined through a second survey in which a probability-proportionate-to-size cluster sample was drawn from a third of the sites. A review of the legal literature was accurate and up to date as of December 31, 1989. Results shows that the electronic monitoring of offenders nearly tripled between February 1988 and 1989, reaching 239 sites in 1989. Regarding equipment choice and function, hybrid equipment has taken hold in the marketplace, and continuous-signal equipment continues to do well. Approximately two-thirds of the programs charge their clients fees that average 200 dollars per month. For program violations the vast majority of sites use verbal or written warnings. Electronic monitoring is viewed by most sites as a means to hold clients accountable rather than a means of inducing client change. Offenders convicted of major traffic offenses fare better on monitoring than other categories of offenders. Regarding legal trends, there is no apparent legal or constitutional objection to the use of electronic monitoring technology per se. Extensive tables and figures and appended selected statutes, comparison of statutory patterns, legal references, survey forms and cover letters, and glossary