Ankle Monitor: A British Conundrum Explained

Ankle monitors are used as an alternative to traditional imprisonment, allowing individuals to serve their sentences while remaining in the community. They are typically used for people on probation or parole, or those awaiting trial. Ankle monitors track an individual's movements and location using GPS technology, ensuring they abide by the restrictions of their sentence. While they offer certain advantages over imprisonment, such as lower costs and the ability to maintain employment, ankle monitors also come with drawbacks, including discomfort, strict regulations, and the constant reminder of one's restricted freedom.

To ensure they don't reoffend

Ankle monitors are used in the UK as part of a person's bail or probation conditions. They are also used in healthcare settings and in immigration contexts.

Ankle monitors are used to ensure that individuals who have been sentenced to restricted travel or activities do not reoffend. The monitor helps track the movements of the individual and ensures they do not violate the terms of their sentence with regards to sobriety.

For example, a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) bracelet can detect alcohol in a person's sweat, alerting the authorities if the person violates the terms of their release by drinking. This type of monitor has been used for individuals convicted of multiple DUI (Driving Under Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) offences, ensuring they comply with court orders not to drink.

In addition to monitoring sobriety, ankle monitors can also be used to enforce restricted travel or activities. This could include maintaining a required distance from a victim in cases of domestic violence, or ensuring an individual stays within a certain radius of their home.

The use of ankle monitors has been found to be effective in reducing the likelihood of reoffending. A 2006 evaluation of 75,661 Florida offenders placed on home detention found that those who wore electronic tags were 94.7% less likely to commit new offences than unmonitored offenders.

Overall, ankle monitors are a tool used to help ensure that individuals do not reoffend by tracking their movements, enforcing restricted travel or activities, and monitoring sobriety.

To act as an alternative to jail time

Ankle monitors are used as an alternative to jail time for individuals who are on probation or parole, or those awaiting trial. They are also used for people convicted of a crime but deemed low-risk and not considered a danger to the community.

Ankle monitors allow individuals to continue living in the community, maintain their jobs, and support their families while serving their sentences. They are also less expensive than incarceration.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ankle monitors were used as an alternative to bail for people awaiting trial in a backlogged court system. This allowed people to be released from jail, reducing the risk of coronavirus infection.

Ankle monitors can also be used to enforce sobriety for individuals convicted of alcohol-related crimes. These monitors can detect alcohol in a person's sweat and alert authorities if the person violates the terms of their release by drinking.

While ankle monitors offer an alternative to incarceration, there are concerns about their effectiveness in reducing recidivism. Some argue that they do not address systemic issues that contribute to high incarceration rates and that they can hinder an individual's ability to reintegrate into society. Additionally, ankle monitors can be uncomfortable and cause skin irritation.

To reduce bail costs

In the UK, ankle monitors are increasingly being used as an alternative to cash bail. This is because bail bond fees can be extremely high, with service fees often amounting to hundreds or thousands of dollars. For example, if a bail bond company charges a 10% fee, then a bail set at $10,000 would cost a non-refundable payment of $1,000.

Ankle monitors can be used to reduce bail costs as they are often viewed as a guarantee that the defendant will show up for their trial. By agreeing to wear an ankle monitor, defendants can negotiate a lower bail fee with the judge. The GPS tracking device allows authorities to monitor the defendant's movements and ensure they do not leave a designated area. This reduces the risk of the defendant fleeing and increases the likelihood of a reduced bail price or even no bail at all.

However, ankle monitors do come with their own costs. There is usually an installation fee, as well as daily monitoring fees that can range from $5 to $35 per day. While these fees can add up over time, they are often still significantly lower than the full bail amount or bail service fee. Defendants may also face challenges in covering these costs, especially if they have just been released from jail and are unemployed.

Overall, ankle monitors can be a useful tool for defendants seeking to reduce their bail costs. By agreeing to wear an ankle monitor, defendants can demonstrate their commitment to complying with court orders and reduce their financial burden.

To monitor sobriety

Ankle monitors are used to monitor sobriety by testing the wearer's sweat for alcohol. The SCRAM CAM® bracelet, for example, samples the wearer's perspiration every 30 minutes to detect alcohol consumption. This technology is also used to monitor sobriety in those convicted of multiple DUI or DWI offences.

In England and Wales, "sobriety tags" are used to monitor offenders who have committed crimes fuelled by alcohol. These tags monitor sweat levels every 30 minutes and alert the probation service if alcohol is detected. The scheme has been trialled in several areas, and during these trials, those who wore the tags were alcohol-free 97% of the time.

Ankle monitors can also be used as an alternative to jail sentences for low-risk offenders. If a court considers an individual to be a flight risk, they may be ordered to wear an ankle monitor as a condition of their release. This allows the court to ensure the individual stays within a certain radius of their home and does not risk reoffending.

To enforce restricted travel or activities

Ankle monitors are used to enforce restricted travel or activities. They are often used as an alternative to prison sentences, particularly for non-violent or lesser crimes, or for those with substance abuse issues for whom prison would be a detrimental environment. Judges may also opt for ankle monitors as a sentence for first-time and non-violent offenders.

Ankle monitors are used to track the movements of individuals who have been sentenced to restricted travel or activities. This may mean they are restricted to their own home, or they may be permitted to travel to work and back. The monitor ensures that the wearer is abiding by their sentence.

The court may provide that the defendant "refrain from frequenting specified kinds of places or from associating unnecessarily with specified persons", "reside in a specified place or area", "remain within the jurisdiction of the court", or "remain at their place of residence during non-working hours".

Ankle monitors can also be used to enforce sobriety. A Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) bracelet can detect alcohol in a person's sweat, alerting authorities if the wearer violates the terms of their release by drinking.

In some cases, individuals on ankle monitors are permitted to travel outside of their homes, for example, to attend work, religious services, parole meetings, court hearings, medical services, or rehabilitation services. This travel is usually restricted to specific times and must be scheduled ahead of time.

Ankle monitors are a blend of technology and law enforcement, allowing offenders controlled freedom while maintaining public safety.

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