The GPS monitoring program involves community-based supervision, utilizing GPS monitoring technology in the form of an ankle bracelet. These programs are designed for higher risk juveniles than juveniles referred for in home detention. A Community-Based Youth Counselor will be assigned to facilitate a contract with the juvenile, which outlines certain requirements. Most often times these requirements involve having the juvenile stay within the home at all times, unless at work or school. If the juvenile agrees to follow the guidelines within the contract and the court agrees it is in their best interest, they will be released from detention and supervised in the community. The counselor will supervise the juvenile and report to the court any progress towards goals and adherence to the contract, until the child has met their desired outcome or is unable to abide by the contract.
The desired result is a more appropriately-served juvenile population and decreased detention usage. Research has shown that lowering juvenile detention populations results in improved public safety and lowered detention cost. Juveniles will also be able to attend their home school and continue working.
This program will incur no capital costs as it is primarily performed in the community.
On-going operating expenses for the IHD program will be off-set through revenue from the local Juvenile Court Services Office, on a per diem basis. Scott County Juvenile Detention charges approximately $40 per contact hour, which covers staff time, supplies, and transportation costs. Juvenile Court also provides the funding to keep GPS units in stock and available at all times.