Ankle bracelets that measure people’s alcohol levels are popular anti-DUI technologies that are being used to keep people out of jail and from re-offending while on probation for alcohol offenses. 

Video: DUI technology combats crime in California

Video: DUI braclets could be coming to Missouri

The devices aren’t without problems, however.

A 2008 news report from Indianapolis detailed problems with a DUI bracelet program at a community corrections program in Marion County.  Many offenders were not paying user fees for the devices and more than 180 devices were missing – leaving a loss of $3.4 million for the community corrections department, reported The Indy Channel.

The offenders wearing the SCRAMs are supposed to pay the agency a $12 daily fee. The agency said 53 percent of SCRAM wearers didn’t pay the fee last year (2007) – a record for the county.

More than 690 people in Marion County were wearing SCRAMs this week.

Missing devices also are hurting the agency. One hundred eighty-six SCRAMs are missing or damaged, the agency said.

“People abscond, they leave, they cut their bracelets,” (Director Brian) Barton said.

Despite past difficulties, a Marion County judge praises the program, according to a testimonial on a vender’s web page.

In Marion County, Indiana, home of Indianapolis, Judge William Nelson has become a strong proponent of SCRAM. … “At the time we implemented SCRAM, drunk driving in Marion County was no longer just a problem. It had reached epidemic proportions … . We saw SCRAM as a highly effective way to monitor these repeat offenders 24×7.”

To date, over 1200 alcohol offenders have been monitored by SCRAM in Marion County and the program has been “a huge success,” says Judge Nelson … .  Nelson adds that he sees very few repeat offenses by those who have successfully completed SCRAM monitoring.

Technorati Tags: community corrections, courts, crime, dui, dui bracelet, SCRAM

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