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The Challenge With Ankle Monitors In New Orleans Juvenile Court

WDSU in New Orleans recently reported on a problem familiar to juvenile courts across the country: Many ankle monitor solutions only report location data every 30 days, while others cost families hundreds of dollars per month. 

Ankle monitor alternative RePath
Watch the entire story.

Court systems across the country face this dilemma every day. They've got a limited number of beds. They may only have a handful of ankle monitors, and they can cost families $10-15 per day. Increasingly, courts are turning to mobile supervision apps like RePath for their pre-trial supervision programs.

RePath creates accountability for defendants and has been shown to reduce violations of conditions of release, improve case officer efficiency, and reduce recidivism, all while saving courts money.

Note: New Orleans Parish Juvenile Court signed an agreement in July and will begin using RePath in August.

Key Quotes From the Story

"[With our ankle monitors]... You get a report, but that is a report in the past tense, where they have been, not where they are or where they are going."

"Our parents cannot afford $250/month [for an ankle monitor] We try not to create a barrier for finances."
 
"Some say this current system for juveniles is not working since the judges only get ankle monitor data every 30 days... 'If no one is looking at a screen to see where that dot is going on the map in New Orleans, then there is no monitor. It’s just a bracelet.'"
 
"Judges say instead of getting a new ankle monitoring system, they’re proposing the city invest in a program called RePath that monitors teens through their phones. 'We can track them better through GPS monitoring and we can have check-ins more frequently [...] And what we can do with this process is that we’re able to be in touch with the youth. We can contact them when we know they’re out of the range. It keeps us connected with them, keeps us involved in their lives and keeps other people involved in their lives as well. Because as I said, unlike the ankle monitor, this tool allows us to connect the families."

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Help people navigate the criminal justice system

The RePath App electronically assists individuals through the criminal justice process. Agencies can choose from multiple supervision levels dependent on their specific needs.