GPS to track those on home detention

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - The Tippecanoe County Community Corrections department now has advanced technology to keep better track of people on home detention.

One of the biggest benefits for the county is the fact that more people will be shifted from work release to home detention as a result. The county is using a global positioning system (GPS) and ankle bracelets among other things to better track those on home detention.

Executive Director Dave Heath said the county now has the ability to set-up zones for someone who is on GPS monitoring to let that person know where they can and cannot go. It can let officers know if someone is supposed to be in a certain place, such as work, and notify them if that person leaves early. Heath said the county can save thousands.

"Community Corrections is something that is less expensive than putting someone in jail. It behooves us to look for the best way and the most economical way to provide those services. This new technology will save us a significant amount of money we believe the first year, somewhere in the $40,000 to $45,000 range, we hope," said Heath.

Manager of business development for Elmo Tech Incorporated Brian Barton said a wide-range of technology is available for corrections' departments.

"We bring everything from radio frequency, which is knowing when someone enters their home or leaves their home, to GPS monitoring where we'll track them throughout the community, including alcohol monitoring where we're actually taking a picture of a participant blowing in the machine and providing a breath alcohol test as well," said Barton.

The technology is leased through Elmo Tech Incorporated. The county pays the company for the amount of products it uses. Those on home detention are charged a monthly fee based upon their income to pay for the county's lease.

"It's a great tool for criminal justice professionals for non-violent offenders. Many of these people have jobs and have families. They need to work to support their families. They've just made bad decisions. You can save precious jail and prison space with the electronic monitoring program," said Barton.

Heath said things have gone smoothly since the county switched over to the technology a couple weeks ago. It has a one year lease with Elmo Tech, Inc. and will decide to renew or not once the lease is up.

"We did the switch over in the middle of August. It took a full week to switch everybody that was on the other equipment. The transition has been very smooth. So far, so good," said Heath.