Home Confinement and Electronic Surveillance (From Intermediate Punishments, P 169-179, 1987, Belinda R McCarthy, ed. - See NCJ-105334)

• NCJ Number: 105344
• Author(s): T G Blomberg; G P Waldo; L C Burcroff
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper examines the development of home confinement, intensive supervision, and electronic surveillance programs in corrections and identifies some of the different operational features and implications.

Abstract

Included among the major findings of this analysis is the nationwide tendency to equate and implement home confinement using electronic surveillance measures. Home confinement without electronic monitoring is the exception rather than the rule. In assessing implications, it is argued that in the future, electronic surveillance measures may well be extended into a number of other areas in the criminal justice system, as well into society at large. Monitoring technologies could become a means for preventing crime; tracking pretrial releases; and scrutinizing the activities of the mentally ill, employees, or children. It is suggested that electronic surveillance may soon become the new strategy for social control without empirical justification for its use having been established or its potential negative consequences having been evaluated. 10 references. (Author abstract modified)