NCJ Number
114600
Date Published
1987
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This report reviews the implementation and results of a 12-month pilot program providing supervised electronic confinement as an alternative to incarceration in Orange County (Calif.) starting on September 30, 1986.
Abstract
The program saved a total of 5,579 jail bed days and made an average of 27 jail beds available per month for more serious offenders during the second 6 months. The electronic monitoring equipment consisted of a passive telephonic-based system involving random calls from the base-station computer to the offender during curfew hours, evenings, and weekends. The equipment has been economical and dependable. In contrast to expectations that 20 percent of the offenders would commit violations, only 4 of 133 participants committed violations. Three were technical violations and one was a new offense. Participants interviewed at their exit from the program reported that the program was confining and disruptive, but that they complied to avoid returning to jail. The program was successful with work furloughees and medical cases. It was less successful with offenders who did not serve parts of their sentences in jail prior to the electronic monitoring. A 90-day trial indicates the program's effectiveness with juveniles. The program should be expanded to include more adults as well as juveniles. Tables, figures, and interview results.