Abstract
Prisons in the United States are full; however, crime continues to occur. Alternatives to incarceration are gaining traction with the push to cut down on costs and overcrowding. Electronic monitoring (EM) has emerged as a potential solution to these issues by monitoring individuals charged or convicted of offenses in the community. The EM device sends signals that track the individual’s location to ensure compliance with the terms set forth for sentencing or supervised release. EM has been touted as a viable option for a variety of populations throughout various stages of the criminal justice process (e.g., release before trial or sentencing, an alternative to jail or prison, and post-release supervision). This chapter discusses the existing EM devices as well as estimated associated costs to illustrate the cost-effectiveness over traditional incarceration. In addition to many other benefits, EM provides an effective strategy for overcrowding and presents as a practical approach to reintegration. Although there are some disadvantages to current EM methods, technology continues to evolve and suggestions for implementation will be given throughout this chapter. Nascent research has shown very promising results in EM’s ability to reduce technical violations, recidivism, and absconding. Most importantly, it must be emphasized that EM is not a panacea for criminal activity, but rather a tool that should be used in conjunction with other methods (e.g., meetings with parole or probation officer, treatment). This view will allow for more realistic expectations for what this technology is capable of and how it can be utilized as an alternative to incarceration.
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Kaylor, L.E. (2022). Electronic Monitoring as an Alternative to Incarceration as Part of Criminal Justice Reform. In: Jeglic, E., Calkins, C. (eds) Handbook of Issues in Criminal Justice Reform in the United States. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77565-0_35
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