Should any of them walk out of the house, an electronic monitor will alert a computer in Anderson, Ind., which will contact police. If they drink any alcohol, a breathalyzer device by their phone will detect the intoxicating substance during an automated test and inform authorities. This electronic monitoring system is a key part of an elaborate probation program known as DISP or the DUII Intensive Supervision Program. It is designed to keep chronic drunken driving offenders off the roads and away from the bottle. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the percentage of fatal accidents that are alcohol-related climbs on New Year's Day when merrymakers drive home.
Montes believes it is important to keep chronic drunken drivers from any alcohol.
Unfortunately, when they drink, they get irresponsible and they get behind the wheel of automobiles. It's more effective to monitor whether or not they're drinking when they're at home, than to just put them in jail and hope that when they're done doing their time, that they're going to go out and not get back behind the wheel of a car while they're drunk. In addition, a new state law that takes effect on Dec. 31, makes a fourth DUII conviction a felony. Judge Dorothy Baker of the Multnomah County Circuit Court who handles all DISP cases sends all who choose the program to jail for at least five days. Those who enter DISP agree that they will refrain from alcohol and drugs, sell their cars, go through alcohol treatment, undergo electronic monitoring, and get a full-time job.