Ankle Monitors: Removable, But At What Cost?

Ankle monitors are typically used as an alternative to incarceration, allowing people to complete their sentence at home while working, attending school, and meeting childcare responsibilities. They are also used for people awaiting trial, serving parole, or facing immigration proceedings. While the monitors are described as non-removable, they can be removed by the wearer, although this will trigger a tamper alert.

Ankle monitors can be removed in emergencies

Ankle monitors are designed to be challenging to remove, with built-in features that alert authorities if the device is tampered with. For example, some models have a fibre optic cable that runs through the strap and connects to the main unit. If this cable is cut or interrupted, an alert is triggered.

However, it is technically possible to remove an ankle monitor without being caught. Some methods include cutting the fibre optic cable and introducing a mirror to trick the signal, or tampering with the software and signal transmission. Nevertheless, these methods are complex and costly, and in most cases, not worth the risk of adding more time to one's jail sentence if caught.

In certain emergency situations, it may be necessary to remove an ankle monitor. For example, if the device is causing physical harm or discomfort, such as cutting off circulation or causing rashes, it may be necessary to loosen or remove it. In such cases, the wearer should contact the appropriate authorities and seek assistance.

Additionally, ankle monitors typically require daily charging, and if the battery life is depleted, the wearer may need to temporarily remove the device to charge it. It is important to follow the charging instructions provided by the supervising officer to avoid any violations or accidental alerts.

While ankle monitors are designed to be secure and tamper-proof, there may be rare instances where removal is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the wearer. In such cases, it is crucial to follow the proper procedures and communicate any issues to the relevant authorities.

They are designed to be tamper-proof

Ankle monitors are designed to be tamper-proof. They are equipped with a range of features that make it extremely difficult for the wearer to remove them without being detected. One of the most common ways ankle monitors detect tampering is through the use of a fibre optic cable that runs through the strap and connects to the main unit. If this cable is cut or interrupted in any way, it triggers an alert, notifying the monitoring authorities. This design makes it virtually impossible to remove the ankle monitor without triggering an alarm.

In addition to the fibre optic cable, the ankle strap is designed to be secure and difficult to slip off. The strap must be properly fitted, not too tight and not too loose, to prevent it from being slipped off or removed. The bulkiness of the ankle also makes it challenging to manipulate the strap or remove the monitor. This design ensures that the monitor remains securely in place and cannot be easily removed by the wearer.

Another key feature of ankle monitors is the constant radio or GPS signal they transmit to a central monitoring system. These signals allow authorities to track the wearer's location and detect if they have entered or exited a specified area. Any attempt to block or jam the signal would trigger an alert, as the monitoring system would detect the interruption. The use of GPS technology also means that the monitor's location can be tracked even if the wearer attempts to block or jam the signal.

The battery life of ankle monitors is also carefully considered in their design. Wearers are typically required to charge the device daily or as directed. This frequent charging helps ensure that the monitor is always powered on and transmitting its location. If the battery life depletes too much or the device is not charged as per the instructions, it can be considered a violation and trigger further action from the monitoring authorities.

While it is technically possible to remove an ankle monitor, the design and features of these devices make it extremely difficult to do so without being detected. The combination of fibre optic cables, secure straps, constant signalling, and battery life considerations create a robust system that effectively deter tampering and notify authorities of any attempts to remove or interfere with the device.

They are a less restrictive alternative to incarceration

Ankle monitors are a less restrictive alternative to incarceration, allowing people to avoid the physical jails and prisons that come with minor technical violations. They enable people to continue to support their families and pay their taxes, while also being less costly than incarceration.

Ankle monitors are used as an alternative to incarceration for people who are awaiting trial, serving probation and parole, or facing immigration proceedings. They are also used for people who have been released from prison, as was the case for Michael Tafolla, a 42-year-old man from Chicago, Illinois, who was interviewed by the ACLU about his experiences on an ankle monitor.

The Electronic Monitoring Program in Placer County, CA, for example, offers people the opportunity to complete a jail sentence in an environment that allows them to work, attend school, meet childcare responsibilities, pursue medical care, and participate in treatment programs.

However, it is important to note that electronic monitoring has been criticised for failing to meet its stated goals of ensuring court appearances, protecting public safety, and advancing rehabilitation. Instead, it has been argued that electronic monitoring expands mass incarceration and leads to further punishment for minor technical violations.

They can be used to monitor curfews and home detention

Ankle monitors are used to enforce curfews and home detention by tracking the location of the wearer. They can be used to ensure that a person under supervision remains within their residence during specified hours, or only leaves their residence for pre-approved and scheduled activities. This is known as "home detention" or "curfew".

Radio Frequency (RF) technology is often used to verify the presence of a person under supervision in their residence during specified hours. RF technology involves a non-removable, waterproof, and shock-resistant transmitter affixed to the wearer's ankle 24 hours a day. The transmitter sends a constant radio signal back to a receiver located in the wearer's residence. If the wearer enters or leaves the residence during a restricted period, an officer is automatically notified.

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology can also be used to monitor a person's location and ensure compliance with curfews and home detention requirements. Like RF technology, GPS technology involves a non-removable, waterproof, and shock-resistant device affixed to the ankle. GPS technology can provide more detailed location data than RF technology, allowing for enhanced supervision and the ability to monitor the wearer's whereabouts when they leave their approved residence.

Ankle monitors are an alternative to incarceration, allowing individuals to serve their sentences while remaining in the community. This provides several benefits, such as the ability to work, attend school, meet childcare responsibilities, pursue medical care, and participate in treatment programs. However, ankle monitors have also been criticised for their potential to infringe on civil liberties and exacerbate systemic inequities.

They are a form of digital incarceration

Ankle monitors are a form of digital incarceration, or "e-carceration", as they are used as an alternative to physical imprisonment. They are often used to monitor people who are awaiting trial, serving probation or parole, or facing immigration proceedings. The use of electronic monitoring has been on the rise, with a 140% increase in the number of active monitors in use from 2005 to 2015.

Ankle monitors are typically GPS tracking devices that record the location of the wearer. They are usually non-removable and must be worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The GPS tracker is affixed to the ankle of the participant and requires daily charging. The participant's location is detected by GPS satellites, cellular towers, and/or Wi-Fi.

The use of ankle monitors allows individuals to complete their sentences outside of a physical jail, giving them the opportunity to work, attend school, meet childcare responsibilities, pursue medical care, and participate in treatment programs. However, it also restricts their freedom and actions, as they are often confined to their residence unless pre-approved to leave.

The expansion of electronic monitoring has been criticized by organizations such as the ACLU, which argues that it fails to meet its stated goals of ensuring court appearances, protecting public safety, and advancing rehabilitation. Instead, it contributes to mass incarceration, leading people back to physical jails and prisons for minor technical violations, charging malfunctions, and false alarms. Additionally, it exacerbates systemic inequities along lines of race, class, and disability, with fees for wearing monitors creating a financial burden for individuals and their families.

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