For the past decade, Ada County, Idaho has equipped people charged with alcohol related crimes with SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring devices. As part of the program, designed to monitor alcohol consumption on defendants throughout the county, participants must submit to alcohol monitoring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These devices have alleviated the overcrowded jails in Ada County. Defendants have an option to be released with monitoring or stay in jail. The cost to monitor a defendant wearing a SCRAM CAM device is about 1/10th of what it is to house that person in jail. Even better, the cost of monitoring is absorbed by the defendant, not the taxpayers.
In addition to saving money, the devices protect the community. Unfortunately, many people who are arrested for alcohol-related crimes struggle with addiction. They have repeatedly lied to others and themselves about dependence on alcohol. The SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring device requires complete sobriety. The devices are tamper-resistant meaning that attempts to tamper with the device or its monitoring are immediately reported and handled through the court. Requiring sobriety means that these participants can remain productive members of society while not drinking and driving. It is a win-win for everyone involved. Over 1300 jurisdictions across the nation use SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring) to ensure that defendants awaiting trial or post-conviction are remaining sober.