Articles & News

August 1, 2008

Sheriff DiPaola lauds SJC ruling on use of GPS

news@woburnonline.com

BILLERICA — Middlesex Sheriff James DiPaola this week said he was pleased by the decision of the Supreme Judicial Court recognizing the day reporting program (GPS) as a classification tool to assist in the re-entry of inmates who will soon return to area neighborhoods.

The court decision states, "the Legislature has confirmed on the sheriff the authority and discretion to implement a variety of inmate programs outside a correctional facility, designed to foster skills that will be necessary for societal reintegration prior to the inmate's release because prison officials are in the best position to perform this function."

At issue is whether a sheriff can release someone to home confinement before they have served the "committed" portion of their sentance.

It specifically targets a case involving a man found guilty to operating under the influence of alcohol third offense. He was sentenced to a term of two-and-a-half years with 18 months to be served. However, after 195 days in jail, he was transfered to his home under the moniotoring program.

DiPaola said, "Today's decision means that I can now carry out my mandate of inmate rehabilitation by carefully screening individuals to participate in the day reporting program under 24-hour GPS monitoring. Our program requires inmates working, pursuing an education and or participating in treatment components such as attending AA meetings.

"As our policy states 'the program allows an inmate to demonstrate his competence in realistic living environment while monitored under strict conditions of accountability.' Because these individuals remain in the custody of the Sheriff, violation of any conditions can be answered with immediate return to the House of Correction.

"Day reporting is a program sheriffs have been using for more than 20 years. In Middlesex County, GPS technology has increased the security of the program, as have stringent requirements that essentially limit eligibility to about 1 percent of our convicted population," he said.

"In day reporting's early days, the program was administered much less scientifically and technology did not exist to bolster accountability. Today, the Middlesex Sheriff's Office continues to require inmates to report to a facility on demand, and we continue to perform site checks and follow-up with employers and community service providers to ensure compliance," DiPaola said.

"Anchoring these efforts is the ability to track the whereabouts of program participants in real time 24-hours a day through GPS monitoring. If an inmate tampers with the GPS monitoring device, that inmate is immediately returned to a traditional cell and charged with escape," DiPaola said, adding that sheriffs take their public safety mandate very seriously and the day reporting program is no exception.

"I have been extremely careful to use this classification authority with discretion," DiPaola concluded. "I am proud of the success of this program and grateful the SJC has recognized that my actions were well within my statutory authority."