Effects of Remote Alcohol Monitoring on Long-Term Alcohol Use

Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) ankle bracelets monitor offender alcohol consumption. Once an ankle bracelet is attached to an offender, SCRAM is able to track any alcohol usage. The device operates 24/7, testing transdermally for any alcohol introduced into the offender’s system. This research study was a cross-sectional survey of individuals who were involved with Waseca County Court Services between July 2008 and December 2009. The study examined whether individuals on the SCRAM program changed their behavior towards alcohol consumption as a result of the use of remote electronic alcohol monitoring device. The primary method of research used was a generated survey. Surveys were printed on three different colors of paper to generate a generalized report based on a categorization of the offence that lead to a court order of participation in the SCRAM program. The categories of offender populations that were selected included: pre-trial conditional drunk driving, probation drunk driving, and other criminal offences. Offenders confidentially answered survey questions without providing any identifying information. Results of the survey were then analyzed