NCJ Number
169440
Journal
Alternatives to Incarceration Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (July/August 1997) Pages: 3,20-22,24-27
Date Published
1997
Length
8 pages
Annotation
These California guidelines for the development and operation of electronic monitoring (EM) programs for local corrections are intended to help local corrections administrators maximize the potential of EM and to help providers of EM equipment and services know what correctional agencies need from them.
Abstract
The purpose is to help develop criteria by which to evaluated existing EM programs and/or determine whether new programs could or should be developed and, if so, what their characteristics might be. The guidelines focus on enhanced supervision, program planning, a mission statement, and operational procedures. Guidelines for the target population address issues related to exclusions, borderline decisions, and verification of the potential target population. Guidelines for program elements encompass supervision, participant employment, good time/work time, termination, and a specific residence and phone. Issues pertinent to supervision are the pursuit of correction as well as punishment and frequent and irregular testing. Guidelines for participant employment address the checking of employment, exceptions, and violations and sanctions. Some EM programs either buy or lease equipment and contract with a vendor/service provider to do some or all of the monitoring. This article's section on contracting considers the pros and cons for such an arrangement. Other topics discussed in this section are the equipment contract, transmitter features, receiver features, minimum specifications, and considerations in the selection of a vendor.