NCJ Number
135955
Date Published
1992
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This analysis of recent experience with electronic monitoring of offenders in the United States notes the problems that have been encountered and recommends ways to avoid unanticipated and undesirable consequences that cause a deterioration in the condition that they were supposed to alleviate.
Abstract
Like corrections in general, electronic monitoring programs have expanded rapidly. However, some programs have been abandoned as a result of unprofitability, unreliability, start-up costs, or poor administrative organization. Research has not yet determined whether electronic monitoring is effective. Nevertheless, it is clear that house arrest and electronic monitoring have not yet reduced prison overcrowding, although a few programs report successes in this area. Other developments have included increased supervision fees paid by offenders despite lowered daily cost of monitoring equipment, union opposition, and corruption of public officials. In addition, opposition to electronic monitoring with home confinement has emerged. Legal issues are also receiving attention. Ways to prevent future problems include implementing sentencing guidelines that specify the conditions under which electronic monitoring is used for offenders, limiting electronic monitoring only to knowledge of the presence or absence of a person in the home, and requiring licensing of agencies operated for profit. 72 references