Some Michigan Courts Using Alcohol-Detection Anklets
Alcohol Monitoring Systems’ (AMS) Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) is being utilized by some Michigan courts for people on probation for alcohol-related offenses. The advantages of the ankle bracelet are that offenders have more freedom of movement without having to have a breathalyzer test every day as well as a physical reminder not to consume alcohol.
The offenders have to pay the average $12 daily fee for monitoring. House Arrest services operations director Jon Ugval has a series of choices such as informing the probation officer or dispatching a police officer when he learns that alcohol has been drunk by a wearer of the SCRAM system.
The bracelet is equipped with a pair of 2-inch by 2-inch boxes, giving the device an earmuff-like appearance. Ugval explains that the battery is contained in one box while the other is equipped with a device for checking alcohol levels in the wearer’s blood. At least 200 jurisdictions in about 20 U.S. states are using the SCRAM system, by AMS’ estimate.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Associated Press (10/04/04) .