Probation Department Policy/Procedure Manual

1.11 Electronic Monitoring

Location Division Wide
Section N/A
Subject 1.11 Electronic Monitoring
Purpose To establish guidelines in the use of electronic monitoring devices
Effective Date 10/19/2022
Previous Effective Date

 

Definitions

Electronic Monitoring System (EMS): The term used to refer to the recording and transmitting of information about an offender’s location with an electronic device using cellular communication and satellite-based monitoring.

  • Exclusion Zone: An area an offender is prohibited from entering.
  • Inclusion Zone:  An area an offender is required to stay or has permission to be in for pre-determined periods of time (e.g., home, work, medical appointments, rehabilitation programs)

Assessment Requirement and Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

LSCMI or pre-trial release risk assessment be completed prior to placing an offender on electronic monitoring.

Inclusion criteria:

  • Court order
  • Suitable pretrial defendants that are unable to post bail or require close monitoring in the community
  • Offender does not pose a situational risk to self, victim, others or property
  • Lack of serious criminal history
  • Willingness and motivation to comply with program requirements
  • Offender is primary caregiver for children or other family members
  • Pregnant offenders
  • Offender provides financial support to family
  • Offender has medical needs/physical disabilities that can best be managed in the community
  • Offenders can receive treatment (e.g., alcohol/drug, sex offender, batterers treatment, cognitive behavior, etc.) in the community

Exclusion criteria:

  • Significant criminal history
  • Current or prior violent or sex offenses.
  • Failure in previous electronic monitoring programs
  • Severe substance abuse or mental illness that limits offender’s ability to control his or her behavior
  • Offender poses a risk to self, victim, others or property
  • Offender has no contact/stay away order with victim.
  • Documented serious or violent behavior while in jail or prison

Supervising Deputy Probation Officer Responsibilities:

  • Approve the use of electronic monitoring on an offender up to a maximum of 30 days
  • Supervisor approval is required to maintain electronic monitoring beyond 30 days

EM Supervisor Responsibilities:

  • Order and assign equipment to their unit officers
  • Keep a record of all equipment issued and ensure equipment is returned in good working order
  • Arrange for the repair and/or replacement of damaged/lost equipment with the vendor

Supervision Officer Responsibilities:

  • The supervising officer will initiate and set-up the enrollment of an offender on electronic monitoring to include enrollment tab in Monitor with supervisor approval
  • The supervising officer should review all events on the vendor tracking system for each offender on the EMS as early as possible each business day
  • The supervising officer is required to investigate and resolve all alerts by the end of the same business day to determine the cause of the alert, the offender’s location at the time of the alert and whether the alert constitutes a violation
  • The supervising officer will retrieve/arrange for the retrieval of the electronic monitoring equipment within 24 hours after termination from the service
  • The supervising officer will document in Monitor all attempts to retrieve/collect electronic monitoring equipment from the offender
  • If the equipment is damaged or lost, the supervising officer will email to EM Supervisor and their supervisor by the next business day. 

Approved Inclusion Zone Activity exceptions:

  • Search for employment or place of employment
  • School or vocational program
  • Day Reporting Center
  • Medical appointments
  • Religious activities or place of worship
  • Treatment or counseling
  • Daily living needs
  • Any activity the supervising officer deems appropriate

Supervising officers should determine proximity to victims, areas, or situations that may pose a public safety risk when establishing inclusion zones or approving activities while on electronic monitoring.

Violations:

The supervising officer must investigate the following occurrences:

  • Equipment tampering
  • Violations of restrictions, exclusion zone boundaries or other stipulations
  • Power or equipment failure
  • Damage or theft of the EMS equipment
  • Failure to return EMS equipment upon completion
  • Evidence of willful evasion of the tracking system
  • Any other reported suspicion or unusual occurrences or incidents
  • To determine suitability of EMS, due to offender violation(s)

Alert Notification:

Curfew alerts, tamper alerts and equipment status alerts are considered potential violations of the EMS and may require investigation by the supervising officer.

During business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, except holidays, the vendor should contact the supervising officer or their supervisor when an alert notification occurs.

The Juvenile Hall will receive all alert notifications from the vendor after hours, Monday-Friday, weekends and holidays.

EMS Termination:

Offenders may be terminated from EMS for the following reasons:

  • Court order
  • The length of time/sentence and participation on EMS has been completed
  • The place of residence is no longer suitable for EMS or no longer have a place of residence
  • Serious or repeated EMS violations
  • A custodial commitment is needed