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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
REQUESTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS COOK COUNTY COURT SYSTEM’S USE OF SCRAM CONTINUOUS ALCOHOL MONITORING DEVICES, OVERSIGHT AND REPORTING MECHANISMS FOR SCRAM DEVICES, AND EXISTING OR NEW CONTRACTS
WHEREAS, Cook County Courts have used Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (hereafter “SCRAM”) devices as a condition of pretrial release in DUI and alcohol-related crimes since 2006. The SCRAM bracelet is a continuous alcohol monitoring device worn on the ankle. The SCRAM bracelet takes a transdermal alcohol concentration (TAC) reading every 30 minutes and uploads data daily to servers via a home phone line. A TAC reading correlates closely (approximately 95%) with a BAC reading.
WHEREAS, Cook County has previously entered into contracts with the Chicago-based company “CAM Systems” to provide SCRAM devices; their most recent contract expired in January 2021.
WHEREAS, “CAM Systems” is a private company that supplies the SCRAM devices to more than 500 individuals annually, the individuals are billed $12.40 to $24.40 per day for the device. In some cases, the rate may be lowered depending on an individual’s income or financial circumstances.
WHEREAS, the original contract with “CAM Systems” included a provision that required the company to provide the Office of the Chief Judge with quarterly statistics reports that "minimally include, the number of defendant/probationers referred, the number of devices installed, the number of currently active defendant/probationers, the number of defendant/probationers terminated from the program, a breakdown of the types of terminations, a breakdown of the number and types of rule infractions, the average and range for length of stay in the program l, and information about costs per defendant/probationer including average cost, range, and distribution."
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners and other relevant County stakeholders must have a comprehensive understanding, accurate data and reports regarding use of SCRAM devices, the devices’ effectiveness, as well as clarity regarding Cook County’s contractual obligations with “CAM Systems” and/or any other SCRAM vendors.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Criminal Justice Committee will hold a hearing to discuss the use of SCRAM devices, best practices for monitoring and accountability when issuing SCRAM devices, and contract provisions with “CAM Systems” and// or any other SCRAM vendors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the Office of the Chief Judge, the Office of Chief Procurement Officer, the Cook County Justice Advisory Council and other Cook County stakeholders are asked to appear before the Criminal Justice Committee hearing to discuss the matter.
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