Alcohol Monitoring Technologies Presented by Debra Coffey
Presentation Overview Current Monitoring Technologies Ignition Interlock IN HOM Alcohol Monitor Importance of Offender Monitoring and Reporting Summary and Conclusions
Background Interlock has been around since the 80 s Research has proven interlocks effective in reducing DWI recidivism 50% 90% Ignition interlock programs currently in use in 47 states in the U.S. Programs: Administrative / Judicial or both Only 175,000 interlocks in use today Ten U.S. Interlock Manufacturer s Coalition of Interlock Manufacturer s
What is an Interlock? An electronic device wired into the ignition system of a vehicle which requires the user to pass a breath alcohol test in order to start the vehicle. AKA: Breathalyzer, Interlock, Baiid Requires a breath sample, fail level determined by state, typically.020 (BrAC) breath alcohol content to pass.
How are interlocks used? Probation/Parole Bond License reinstatement and licensing Deferred Prosecution Repeat offenders 1 st offenders 1 st offenders with High BAC (.15 or higher) DWI Courts Family Violence ( alcohol a factor) Court Visitation Domestic courts (alcohol factor) Voluntary
Purpose of Interlock Alternative to Jail Keeps offender licensed and insured Allows offender to work, support family, pay court fees, attorney Participate in treatment/ alcohol education Remain productive member of community and family Provide Public Safety
Interlock Technical Standards NHTSA, 1992 Device specifications Individual States oversight and device certification Device programming and specifications IE. Colorado- Department of Health Georgia- Department of Driver Services (DDS) Tennessee- Department of Public Safety South Carolina- Probation and Parole
The Technology Fuel vs. Sensor Technology Anti-circumvention features Running Re-test AKA Rolling Re-test Programmable features Ie. Curfew lockout; High Bac lockout Data recorders
Installation and Service Service centers set up throughout a state Initial Installation takes approx. one hour Client must return to service center every 30 to 60 days for service calibration and data download, service takes approx. 10 minutes Reports downloaded sent to authorities (E-mail) Judicial/Court or Administrative Offender paid - $2.30 a day/$70.00 a month.
PHOTO ID Technology Photo Identification Records every test for accurate positive identification Answers the question Who took the test? Allows the authority to use as a sanction on non-compliant program participants
Photo ID Technology
IN-HOM Alcohol Monitor
Why IN-HOM? Alcohol Monitor - Alternative or addition to interlock requirement Offender is suspended. Offender has no vehicle or claims he/she will not drive Used by DUI/DWI Courts or Probation/Parole Not just for interlock users Provides information on alcohol use Affordable Provide low cost alternative, Same cost as Interlock Portable
Next Steps Sophisticated Technologies are emerging Lots of information and data available What do we do with it?
Importance of Offender Monitoring/Reporting Key component of a successful interlock program is monitoring and reporting Interlock Considered the Electronic Probation Officer in the Car (Roth) Authorities can use data to develop treatment and education opportunities Data is a predictor of DWI recidivism (Marques et al, 2000)
Monitoring Offenders Interlock technology can enhance the quality of supervision Interlock technology can assist agencies in allocating finite resources Interlocks can provide information that drinking and driving is under control Response to behavior is important to monitoring Needs to be certain and immediate (Wing & Wicklund)
Reporting to Authorities Defined reporting requirements i.e., tamper, circumvention, skipped retest, alcohol fails, non driving, mileage Reporting procedures Who, When, Where Specify authority responsible for monitoring Web-based reporting - streamlines access Authorities have to reporting information Reports programmable based on jurisdictions monitoring needs
Sample Report Submitted to Monitoring Authority
Monitoring and Reporting Challenges Reporting requirements are not always defined by authority, many times left to vendor Unfunded mandates when interlock laws are passed; lack of resources to manage program Lack of Judicial Authority or Administrative authority/law/rule to sanction program violators
Interlock technology can enhance the quality of supervision. Summary and Conclusions Interlock protects the public from the drinking driver Interlock is not an abstinence tool Interlock provides offender accountability Offenders who fail to install should be required to have more restrictive monitoring control. Ie. SCRAM or In Hom Alcohol monitor
Summary and Conclusions Offenders should earn their way off, by providing evidence of alcohol free driving Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Michigan, Washington Opportunity for offenders doing well, provide for early release from Interlock provides positive incentive Interlocks help authorities monitor offenders and target resources toward high risk offenders Authorities should allow for a contingency or consequence for elevated BAC, not removal
Summary and Conclusions Need for Education and Information on how interlock works and device capabilities Justice professionals shift from vindictive to reformative justice (Judge Chezem) Competing opinions on dealing with abstinence conflict with purpose of interlock
Summary and Conclusions The Technology continues to advance Interlock works to reduce DWI recidivism when combined with treatment and education Interlock provides public safety Installed offenders, remain in driving system, stay licensed, and insured Interlock is the only technology that separates drinking from driving
Separating Drinking from Driving Since 1994 311,820,401 Alcohol Free Starts 5,571,578 Alcohol Starts Prevented
Interlocks Saving Lives The benefits are clear Everyone benefits from efforts to separate drinking from driving.
Thank You!! Presented by: Debra Coffey 1-800-880-3394, ext. 225 817-307-4992 (cell) DCoffey@SmartStartInc.com