Pamela, Nearly half a million adults in the United States are under electronic monitoring. For many people like Wesley Vaughan, an ankle monitor gives a false taste of freedom.
"I was given, both verbally and written, a long list of things I could and could not do," says Wesley.
Under the conditions of his parole, Wesley was not allowed a smartphone or any device with internet access. He had a strict curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. He was allowed to drive a car, but not permitted to travel to another county to visit his family. Wesley's experience is all too common. Many people on electronic monitoring report difficulty obtaining approval for day-to-day tasks or complying with overlapping rules like remaining employed while attending required programs during business hours. |
Pamela, electronic monitoring extends the reach of correctional control and keeps people entangled in the criminal legal system.
People coming home from prison and jail need support, not threatening restrictions. Yet Vera research shows that community supervision like what Wesley experienced has become more punitive—focusing more on punishment than providing the support people need to thrive. |
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