NCJ Number
181486
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 44 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2000 Pages: 84-96
Date Published
February 2000
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate the experiences of offenders on house arrest with electronic monitoring.
Abstract
The sample consisted of 49 offenders currently on electronic monitoring. The majority of the sample was male (73 percent) and nonwhite (53 percent). A substantial proportion of the sample were married (40 percent), and a majority had a high school degree (85 percent) and were employed (81 percent). Selection criteria into the electronic monitoring program make employment almost always mandatory, but exceptions are made in particular cases (e.g., for medical reasons). A 24-item survey was administered to the sample. Exploratory factor analysis procedures were conducted to develop six scales that measured uniquely punitive aspects of the electronic monitoring experience. Bivariate correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship with social and demographic variables. The data suggest that offenders, for the most part, do not view house arrest with electronic monitoring as particularly problematic; and most cite positive aspects of their program compared to jail; however, some aspects of the sanction are viewed as more punitive than others, and there is important variation. With few exceptions, however, offenders' perceptions did not strongly correlate with social and demographic characteristics. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for criminal justice policy regarding this alternative sanction. 1 table, 1 figure, and 36 references