In addition to the practical improvements, the new system provides Community Corrections managers with additional resources, such as multiple report formats, to increase the operation s efficiency. Also, the new equipment and computer server are leased, which will enable the Department of Correction to adapt to changes in technology without having to purchase an entire new system. Across the state, there are 800 offenders being monitored by Division of Community Corrections. Although the largest number of those are probationers or parolees, Community Corrections also provides monitoring services to the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and pre-trial programs funded through either the Criminal Justice Partnership Program or local sheriff s offices. The Department of Correction s electronic monitoring program began in 1987 with a pilot site in Winston-Salem and was expanded statewide in 1990.
Electronic monitoring uses computer technology to monitor and restrict the offender s movement.
The offender is required to wear an ankle bracelet that emits a signal through a transmitter to the monitoring system s computer. The computer makes periodic automated telephone calls to the offender s residence to determine if the unit is inside the residence.