Reviewing Hawaii’s Report on Continuous Alcohol Monitoring for Repeat Offenders
On December 7, 2020, Hawaii’s Administrative Director of the Courts submitted a Report on Continuous Alcohol Monitoring for Repeat Offenders. The report indicates that in Fiscal Year 2020, 42 people were monitored with SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring devices. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, repeat offenders were able to be monitored and the devices were able to receive necessary maintenance.
Habitual DUI offenders were required to remain on SCRAM for a period of not less than 90 days. Throughout the entire year and monitoring period for each offender, only 17 violations were reported. The majority of offenders who were able to complete the SCRAM-CAM program in the fiscal year were able to complete it without violation.
SCRAM CAM programs are used throughout the country to monitor habitual drunk driving offenders for alcohol consumption. SCRAM continuous alcohol monitoring devices are worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and test every 30 minutes for alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption is detected through sweat that is naturally excreted on a person’s skin.
Transdermal alcohol monitoring is court-approved and scientifically-backed. It is known to be one of the most effective ways to reduce drunk driving recidivism since it addresses the underlying problem with alcohol addiction or dependence.
COVID-19 has presented countless challenges to courts, jails, and probation departments. Remote continuous alcohol monitoring is one way of reducing jail overcrowding, helping to slow the spread of the virus. While financial challenges were an uphill battle during the pandemic, many SCRAM-CAM participants were able to successfully complete their monitoring period without interruption and safely from home.
Read Hawaii’s full report here.