How technology can transform the perception of monitoring programming
Can you tell the difference between a phone developed in 1980 and a phone that is on the market today? It’s a seemingly silly question considering we have entire computers in our pockets and our ‘80s phones weren’t even able to tell us who was calling. Regardless, some pieces of technology have withstood the aesthetic test of time, one of them being ankle devices used for corrections monitoring.
Even if you don’t have corrections experience, you could likely identify one on sight. The hardware of an ankle monitor has remained relatively unchanged even as the technology within it has evolved. This static image has societal implications for people who are enrolled in criminal monitoring programs.
What are the implications of recognizable monitoring devices?
A study by Cornell University found that people who wear ankle monitors are increasingly assumed to be “dangerous criminals,” while also subconsciously enlisting members of the public beyond law enforcement to monitor people wearing devices. Essentially, they note that people in public notice ankle monitors, more closely pay attention to the wearer, and even potentially engage with them in a negative way that is unwarranted.
The reality is that ankle monitors are currently deployed for people who have been convicted of a wide range of crimes and are sometimes used when people are awaiting trials before ever being convicted of a crime. This can have enormous implications on a person’s ability to maintain a job, interact with their children and families, and engage with critical community resources. For some wearers, this can lead to harassment and increased prejudice.
What alternatives exist?
The truth is that technology has advanced in a way that makes community monitoring devices more discrete and interactive than they have ever been before. Corrisoft’s AIRⓇ suite of tools provides several options – including wrist wearables, smartphones, and application-based software – that can support monitoring needs while prioritizing education and participant accountability.
Our smartphone isn’t distinguishable from any other smartphone, providing a level of privacy for the user. But because of our proprietary AIRⓇ Device Management system, it’s more secure than any phone you can purchase on the market. We also partner with Upstream to provide their wrist wearable device – which provides a similar level of monitoring capabilities as an ankle monitor, but it appears to be a smartwatch similar to others currently on the market.
There are additional benefits for agencies that use other forms of monitoring technology. Smartphones create a two-way communication channel between participants and agencies. This increased connection can serve as a lifeline for a person going through recovery, as a way to build personal accountability and live a productive life in the community while remaining compliant with monitoring program requirements.
How to differentiate needs
Corrisoft believes that corrections solutions need to be tailored to the individual participating in the program based on risks, needs, and graduated sanctions. Monitoring devices have a role to play in overall community well-being. Ankle monitors can be a great tool for people who are geographically confined to a space, like those in home confinement. They are also a good tool to use when a person has the resources to flee while they await trial.
For other people, smartphones or wrist wearables might produce rehabilitative effects while eliminating some of the stigma associated with wearing an ankle monitor. We encourage all of our AIRⓇ users to evaluate the individual needs and case circumstances of each participant to determine how much accountability is needed.