Ankle Monitoring: How Bonding Companies Keep Track

Ankle monitors are used by courts to ensure individuals comply with the terms of their release. They are often used in conjunction with bail bonds, allowing defendants to remain out of custody while awaiting trial. The monitors can track location and specific behaviours, such as alcohol consumption, and provide an additional layer of security and compliance. When an ankle monitor is required, bail bond companies take on the responsibility of ensuring their clients comply with the court's conditions, including the proper use and maintenance of the device. This integration of ankle monitors with bail bonds helps maintain public safety, reduces incarceration costs, and provides defendants with the freedom to live and work from home.

How ankle monitors work with bail bonds

Ankle monitors are often used as a condition of bail, allowing individuals to remain out of custody while awaiting trial. The bail bond system is a method by which defendants can be released from custody pending trial through a financial agreement secured by a bail bond company. When an ankle monitor is part of a bail agreement, the defendant, the bail bond company, and the court system work closely together. Bail bond companies like Bail Bonds Now take on the responsibility of ensuring their clients comply with all court-set conditions, including the proper use and maintenance of the ankle monitor.

Ankle monitors, or electronic monitoring devices, are tools used by courts to ensure individuals abide by the terms of their release. These devices can employ GPS tracking or RF monitoring to track location or specific behaviours such as alcohol consumption. The benefits of ankle monitors include reduced incarceration costs, the ability to live at home and continue working, and a reduced risk of reoffending. However, there are also challenges, such as privacy concerns, potential employment issues, and the stigma associated with wearing a visible monitor.

The process of obtaining an ankle monitor typically involves contacting a bail bond company, which can help negotiate a lower bail amount in exchange for agreeing to wear the device. The bail bond company will then work with the court to ensure the defendant meets the conditions of their release, including the proper use of the ankle monitor. The bail bond company may also provide support and guidance to the defendant to help them understand their obligations.

Ankle monitors are typically strapped to the ankle with a tamper-proof band and use GPS to track the wearer's location. If the wearer ventures outside a designated area, the device vibrates and emits a loud tone, notifying them that they are about to violate the conditions of their release. If the wearer does not return to the designated area, the device sends an alert to the authorities. Additionally, the ankle monitor can track the wearer's alcohol consumption through their sweat and relay this information to the relevant authorities.

Overall, the integration of ankle monitors with bail bonds provides an additional layer of security and compliance in the criminal justice system. By allowing defendants to remain out of custody while ensuring they adhere to the conditions of their release, ankle monitors offer a balanced approach that maintains public safety while providing defendants with certain freedoms.

The role of bail bond companies in monitoring

The bail bond system is a method that allows individuals to be released from custody pending trial through a financial agreement secured by a bail bond company. Bail bond companies play a significant role in monitoring their clients who are required to wear ankle monitors as a condition of their bail. These companies ensure their clients comply with all conditions set by the court, including the proper use and maintenance of the ankle monitor.

Ankle monitors, or electronic monitoring devices, are tools used by courts to ensure individuals comply with the terms of their release. These devices can track location and specific behaviours, such as alcohol consumption. When an ankle monitor is mandated as part of a bail agreement, the relationship between the defendant, the bail bond company, and the court becomes more interconnected. Bail bond companies provide essential support and guidance, helping clients understand their obligations. They also ensure that clients adhere to any specific rules and regulations associated with the ankle monitor, such as refraining from drinking alcohol.

In addition to monitoring location, ankle monitors can also track the level of alcohol in a person's blood. This information is relayed to the relevant authorities, such as the probation officer, and the bail bond company. If the person's blood alcohol content exceeds the court-allowed limit, the bail bond company is notified, and the individual may face additional penalties or consequences.

Benefits and challenges of ankle monitors for defendants

Ankle monitors are used as a tool by the courts to ensure that individuals comply with the terms of their release. They can be used to track location or specific behaviours such as alcohol consumption. The use of ankle monitors is becoming more common, driven by political and policy changes.

Benefits

Ankle monitors offer defendants the benefit of remaining out of custody while awaiting trial, reducing incarceration costs, and maintaining public safety. They provide an alternative to pre-trial detention, allowing defendants to live at home and continue working.

Challenges

However, there are also challenges associated with the use of ankle monitors. Privacy concerns, the potential impact on employment, and the stigma associated with wearing a visible monitor are common issues. Ankle monitors can also impose curfews or geographic restrictions that interfere with daily life, such as family activities, social events, or employment.

Additionally, the financial burden of ankle monitors can be significant, with installation and daily monitoring fees that can quickly accumulate. This is especially challenging for low-income individuals and families.

The visibility of the ankle monitor can also pose challenges in securing employment, as potential employers may have reservations about hiring someone under surveillance. Furthermore, the weight and bulkiness of the monitor can cause physical discomfort, and the constant surveillance can take a mental toll on the wearer.

In conclusion, while ankle monitors offer the benefit of allowing defendants to remain out of custody, they also come with a set of challenges that can impact various aspects of their lives.

How to make ankle monitors more comfortable

Ankle monitors can be very uncomfortable and restrictive. Here are some tips to make them more bearable:

• Ensure the monitor is snug but not too tight. You should be able to move your ankle freely without the monitor slipping off.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid chafing and skin irritation.
• Apply lotion to the skin around the monitor to prevent dryness and irritation.
• Try a neoprene sleeve to cushion the strap.
• If the monitor is irritating your skin, use a bandage or wrap to protect it.
• If the monitor is too hot or cold, adjust the temperature with a heating pad or ice pack.
• If the monitor is still uncomfortable, ask your doctor about using a cream or ointment to protect your skin.
• Wear a sweatband or rolled-down sock to prevent the bracelet from "bouncing" on the ankle bone.

How to pay for ankle monitoring

Ankle monitors are used as an alternative to jail time, allowing individuals to remain out of custody while awaiting trial, reducing incarceration costs, and maintaining public safety. They are often used as a condition of bail or parole, and can be used to monitor location, alcohol consumption, or other specific behaviours. The cost of an ankle monitor can vary depending on several factors, and there are a few ways to pay for them.

Cost Breakdown:

The cost of ankle monitors can vary depending on the state, the type of device, and whether the individual is serving a sentence or on bond. Typically, there is a daily usage fee, ranging from $5 to $20 per day, and a one-time setup fee ranging from $100 to $200. The device itself can cost the government between $800 to $1,500. According to FindLaw.com, the cost of house arrest with an ankle monitor is $6,000 per year, compared to $20,000 per year to house a prisoner.

Payment Options:

• Out-of-Pocket: In most cases, the individual wearing the ankle monitor is responsible for the cost. The daily fee can vary from $7 to $12, depending on whether the person is on bond or serving a sentence. There may also be a setup fee, ranging from $50 to $300, and a monthly fee to the probation company, ranging from $30 to $60.
• Bail Bond Companies: Bail bond companies, such as Bail Bonds Now, play a crucial role in ensuring their clients comply with all court conditions, including the use of ankle monitors. They offer flexible payment plans and, in some cases, require no collateral.
• Sliding Scale: Some states may offer a sliding scale based on income, making the ankle monitor more affordable for those with lower incomes. It is important to inquire about such programs with the courts.
• Nonprofit Funds: In some cases, nonprofit funds or organisations may be able to assist with the cost of ankle monitors. For example, in the ProPublica article, a nonprofit fund called the Bail Project paid for Daehaun White's ankle monitor.

Frequently asked questions