Phone-Based Monitoring

• Phone-based monitoring occurs whenever an officer uses cell phone technology to carry out the objectives (rehabilitative or law enforcement) of supervision.
• Phone-based monitoring can take many different forms.
  • Voice recognition telephone monitoring can be a replacement for monthly face-to-face meetings with officers.
  • Various smartphone functions can be (re)purposed for use in supervision, including:
    • text messages
    • GPS technology
    • applications (i.e., apps)

• Voice recognition telephone monitoring
  • clients call in once a week (or some frequency) to an automated system
  • clients may complete a series of short interview questions once a month during the randomly selected call
  • typically reserved for low-risk clients
  • allows officer to reallocate their time and energy to higher risk clients per the risk principle
• Smartphone technology
  • text messages
    • can be used for a variety of purposes, including sending reminders for appointments, giving a client access to their officer between visits, providing positive reinforcement, providing brief surveys, allowing check-ins between visits, and providing information (i.e., programs, jobs)
  • GPS technology
    • smartphone GPS can be used as a replacement for more intrusive and potentially stigmatizing versions of GPS technology (i.e., ankle bracelet)
    • can also be used to offer warnings to clients when they are getting close to areas that are triggers (environmental)
  • Applications
    • smartphone applications exist which provide support (i.e., self-help, mental health, substance abuse) for clients

• Phone calls between office visits can be used to ensure a client is following through with tasks/goals established during visits.
• GPS tracking can monitor the geographic location of a client and alert the officer if the client leaves the prescribed area.
• GPS technology can track a client’s everyday activities and alert officers of aberrations (e.g., not going to work, staying at home multiple days in a row).
• Brief surveys embedded in text messages between face-to-face visits can alert the officer to concerning behavior and allow for early intervention.

• Text messaging can be positive reinforcement for achieving supervision milestones, promoting effective behavior change, and fostering a positive supervision climate.
• Text messaging can remind clients of their appointments and other supervision responsibilities, cutting down on technical violations for nonattendance.
• Information about job openings, programs that offer services, or self-improvement classes can be sent via phone.
• An officer who contacts clients between office visits via phone shows they care about the success of the client.
• Shifting a medium-risk client to low-risk by placing them on voice recognition telephone monitoring can be a reward for success on supervision.

• The main cost of phone-based monitoring for officers is their time and effort.
• The costs of phone-based monitoring for clients is minimal.
  • Financial costs can include the cell phone and the charge for minutes or text messages. Usually, this is borne by the client, which can be a burden.

• Supervision staff report that phone-based monitoring is
  • sometimes appropriate for all low-risk clients and
  • sometimes appropriate for all medium- to high-risk clients except for those with substance use disorders, for whom it is always appropriate.

What Should You Expect When Using Phone-Based Monitoring?

• Phone-based monitoring strategies can be used to promote rehabilitation of the client and monitor their compliance with supervision conditions.
• Phone-based monitoring can be used to build rapport between office visits by providing clients with positive reinforcement and resources that assist their success on supervision.
• Some evidence exists that using phone-based monitoring as a replacement for a face-to-face meeting with low-risk clients can reduce recidivism.
• Some limitations of using phone-based monitoring to replace regular office visits include
  • less opportunity to build rapport, address client needs, or become familiar with the client and
  • more challenge in tracking down noncompliant clients with whom the officer has less familiarity or depth of relationship.

Is Phone-Based Monitoring an Evidence-Based Practice?

• The evidence supporting phone-based monitoring is limited but promising.

What Do People Formerly Involved in the Criminal Legal System Think About Phone Monitoring?

• People with lived experience in the criminal legal system (the “criminal justice” or “legal” system is referred to as the criminal legal system in this document) report that phone-based monitoring is
  • never appropriate for all low-risk clients except those who are gang-involved or in the intimate partner violence special population, for whom it is sometimes appropriate, and
  • sometimes appropriate for all medium- to high-risk clients except those in the general violence special population, for whom it is never appropriate.

Communication That Strengthens the Officer-Client Relationship (Messaging)

• Officers should use rapport-building techniques when communicating by text message with their client.
• Officers should be aware of essential milestones in their client’s life (i.e., sobriety date, graduation) and recognize those accomplishments when they come.
• When using a cell phone as a GPS monitoring tool, officers should discuss with the client the extent to which they will be monitored and remind them how this contributes to their long-term success.
• Officers should communicate clearly when texting so that nothing gets lost in translation.