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In Jail at Home: The Pro Tech Monitoring Inc. SMART Monitoring System Handles House Arrest Monitoring via Satellite

NCJ Number
175814
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 25 Issue: 6 Dated: June 1998 Pages: 86-89
Author(s)
R D Morrison
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Satellite Monitoring and Remote Tracking (SMART) system has been developed to manage electronic monitoring of offenders under house arrest.
Abstract
The SMART system includes a 4-ounce ankle bracelet hooked to a portable tracking device that contains a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and cellular communication system. The SMART system uses a regular workstation with Windows 95 software and telephone lines or the Internet. The GPS satellite constellation includes 24 satellites that offer continuous coverage 24 hours a day. Other uses of the SMART system include witness protection, batterer monitoring in domestic violence cases, and other circumstances where the victim needs to be warned if the offender is in the community. The cost of the SMART system averages $15 per month, excluding staff expenses in most applications, making the cost of house arrest less expensive than many other correctional alternatives. 2 photographs