Ankle monitors are devices that transmit data to an electronic monitoring program, usually about their wearer. Generally, scram bracelet-shaped and comfortable wear are placed on the target’s arm or foot for tracking purposes.
But have you ever wondered about how far can you go with ankle monitor?
The ankle monitor relays the required information either via GPS technology or radio transmission. In most cases where ankle monitors have been used, they primarily help track the wearer’s movement as a parole requirement or house arrest. However, in other instances, ankle monitors can be used to track someone’s dietary habits or alcohol.
Here are all the new unknown and true facts about an Ankle Monitor just for you. Just keep scrolling!
How Far Can You Go With Ankle Monitor?
Before you ask yourself what will happen to your monitor or limb when you cross the maximum distance it allows, it’s essential to know where furthest you can get with the monitor in your arm.
Numerous factors determine the maximum distance you can get with your ankle monitor. One of those is the technology used in creating the device. We have three types of ankle monitors (RF, GPS, and SCRAM cam bracelets) with a maximum sensor distance.
However, as a subject of common knowledge, these sensors offer a maximum radius of anything between 50 and 150 feet. That’s quite a small radius to roam around freely. Some systems, however, need you to be as close as 25-30 feet to send required data at an interval timespan.
In other more strict cases, a judge or higher-level judicial individual is the one with the sole decision on the allowable distance. That comes subject to the reason behind putting the tracker on. However, most of these cases are regarded as house arrests.
What happens if you need to travel to more locations?
Can You Get Past the Ankle Monitor’s Maximum Location?
Yes, you can! You might want to ask yourself, what if I need to go to work? Other ankle monitors will allow the subject to travel to more locations like work, meetings, or medical services.
However, the activity must be scheduled beforehand so the authorities can know you have something planned for later. What about emergencies?
If you get caught up in an emergency and need to get out of the designated area, you need to contact the relevant authorities to give you the permission you need.
However, not all ankle monitors restrict movement. Some, like the SCRAM, don’t have locational restrictions as they work from anywhere.
So you can move anywhere but stay away from alcohol. But, again, SCRAM ankle monitors will detect your movement on the rarest of occasions.
What Components Does the Ankle Monitor System Consist of?
Like any other remote monitoring agency, the ankle monitor comes with a locater (bracelet), an on-site receiver (usually close to the target), and the central receiver.
What happens is that the bracelet is generally GPS ankle bracelet-enabled and captures location details while taking constant readings and relaying the information to the on-site receiver.
With that, the target’s navigation can be pulled back, and they can be tracked and captured easily.
Due to its simple design and superb effectiveness, authorities commonly use the technology to track a suspect’s location and interactions with other individuals.
If the individual breaches the locational restrictions put by the authorities, the bracelet sends signals to the on-site receiver, which then alerts the relevant authorities to take action.
The other place where ankle bracelet monitor is profoundly used in the health sector is to track patients’ dietary habits by GPS monitoring where they check-in for fast food. We’ll see how that goes later.
What Are The Types Of Ankle Monitors?
Ankle Monitors are of three types. They are classified by how they operate and whichever message they convey via their signals. In that line of thought, we have three types of Ankle Monitors;
- Radio Frequency (RF) Ankle Monitors
- Global Positioning System (GPS Ankle Monitor)
- Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM device) Ankle Monitor
Here’s an overview of the main types of Ankle Monitors;
Global Positioning System (GPS)
GPS ankle monitors will track your location and transmit it to a specific place at regular intervals. They are vital when used to restrict an individual’s location. They also function to prevent certain people from accessing certain/restricted areas.
Radio Frequency (RF)
These are the most commonly used monitors for home-based locational restrictions like home arrests. Unfortunately, they don’t usually give the subject’s exact location like a GPS device or a GPS ankle monitor. Still, They will notify the receiver when you cross a designated area or a certain radius.
Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM)
SCRAM electronic ankle bracelet monitors monitor a subject’s alcoholic habits instead of the usual locational-based tracking by the other two. These ankle monitors will occasionally pick sweat samples from the subject and analyze them for alcohol content. After that, they report the findings to the monitor.
How Do I Get Rid Of An Ankle Monitor?
Getting rid of an ankle monitor is a pretty hard thing to do. The device is constructed with high-quality material that it’s almost impossible to do away with.
That’s where it gained its famous nickname, ‘the tether.’ Tethers are of different kinds, and we have those that will notify relevant authorities if the subject tries to take it off or tamper with its performance. So there’s only one answer to the question; don’t try to remove the electronic device ankle monitor – It’s never a good idea.
How Is The Ankle Monitor Used To Control Criminal Activities?
Studies show that using the ankle monitor is one of the most economical ways of controlling crime. It cancels the need to supervise an offender or someone under parole constantly. That also makes it possible to monitor multiple individuals instead of deploying several officers to watch their backs.
However, ankle monitors have been deemed a lesser effective method of controlling crimes than other related methods.
Moreover, they’ll need someone at the base station to always be on the watch so that if a signal shows up, they may dispatch authorities to the target’s location.
How Is The Ankle Monitor Used To Monitor Alcohol Usage?
Yes, the ankle monitor can measure and determine your alcohol usage. Pretty unusual, right? What the monitor does is that it takes a sample of your sweat and analyzes it to determine if it contains alcohol.
You might have the ankle monitor because you committed an alcohol-related offense like drunk driving. The monitor usually acts as a rehabilitation mode and prevents the target from taking alcohol for some time.
What More Do You Need To Know Concerning Ankle Monitors?
Do Ankle Monitors have Microphones?
Yes. Aside from the psychological turmoil, ankle bracelet monitoring can bring about physical torture. If the electronic monitor fits you tightly, you’ll be uncomfortable moving your ankle. In more severe instances, people have reported that the monitors held their ankles so tightly to the point of bleeding!
Do Ankle Monitoring record Voice?
Yes, but not all! Some of them are equipped with sound-capturing technology and can listen to and record the conversations you have with your friends. That is made possible by tiny microphones built into the tracker.
What is the main Disadvantage of Ankle Monitors?
These trackers are costly. They offer tracking services at a subscription, and their rates are unbelievably high. In most instances, ex-convicts who go ahead to use ankle monitors end up going back to county jail. That will be primarily due to the unpayable debt that the subscription demands.
Here’s a video from YouTube on the high cost of wearing the Ankle Monitor.
Can I remove my Ankle Monitor?
Yes, you can remove the ankle monitor. However, removing the ankle safely will need you to follow legal procedures. All you need is to contact your probation officer and know how both of you can meet the judge. Then, strike a motion where you’ll clearly state why you want it removed.
Can I Cover an Ankle Monitor
There’s less to worry about if you need to go swimming with your electronic monitoring device. You can purchase an Ankle Monitor Guard (AMG) to waterproof the device against moisture. There’s not much you can do to prevent physical harm, but you could make sure you don’t expose it to so much physical bombardment with other objects on GPS signal or GPS Ankle Bracelet.
Can I Block an Ankle Monitor’s Signal
Yes, you can. The most obvious way to stop the detention of GPS tracking device signals from reaching the remote receiver is by putting them in a metal box. Anything that hinders the transmission of signals can prevent your ankle device for GPS monitor from relaying signals. Most people use aluminum foils, but the general idea is not great for electronic monitoring.
Can they be hacked or tampered with?
While it is technically possible to hack or tamper with an ankle monitor, doing so would be considered a violation of parole or probation and could result in severe legal consequences. Additionally, ankle monitors are designed with anti-tampering features, such as alerts to the monitoring center if the device is removed or damaged.
Can ankle monitors be used for pre-trial release?
Yes, ankle monitors can be used for pre-trial release as an alternative to incarceration. The monitor would be used to ensure that the defendant complies with any restrictions on their movement or activities set by the court.
Can they be used for non-criminal purposes, such as tracking elderly or vulnerable individuals?
Yes, ankle monitors can be used for non-criminal purposes, such as tracking elderly or vulnerable individuals who are at risk of wandering or becoming lost. These devices can provide peace of mind for caregivers and help to ensure the safety of the person being monitored.
Can ankle monitors be used to monitor individuals with mental health issues?
Ankle monitors can potentially be used to monitor individuals with mental health issues, but the use of these devices in this context is controversial and raises ethical concerns. Critics argue that the use of ankle monitors for individuals with mental health issues may stigmatize and further marginalize this population, and that more compassionate and effective solutions should be explored.
Finally, Are Ankle Monitors Good Enough?
Ankle Monitors are among the best modern devices that offer positive reinforcement to offenders. Unlike other restriction measures, they are preferred because they give the offender freedom to walk around and run errands.
However, the main question people ask is; how far can you go with Ankle monitor? You can go about 50-150 feet from the local receiver unless permitted to go further.
