Monroe tries home detention plan

Published 12:26 am Sunday, October 24, 2010

MONROE — Monroe police plan to send fewer people to jail.

In an attempt to reduce expenses, the department plans to start monitoring some offenders at their homes starting Nov. 1. In cooperation with the Evergreen District Court, the city has developed an electronic home detention program. With this program, the city hopes to save $120,000 a year.

The detention program also will allow some offenders to work instead of being locked up in the Snohomish County Jail.

“It saves us money if they don’t have to go to county jail,” said Debbie Willis, administrative director for the Monroe Police Department.

It costs the city $62.50 per day and plus a $90 booking fee to house a prisoner in the county jail. Using electronic monitoring equipment, the city expects home detention to cost between $2 to $6 per day.

Training in the use of the monitoring equipment started Oct. 19 and courts had been notified, Willis said.

The electronic monitoring system consists of a random automated phone call with voice recognition software requiring the offender to speak to the phone. Others will have GPS ankle bracelets.

Under the program, the offender will be required to pay approximately $20 for each day they serve. They will be allowed to hold down a job because they will not be monitored during work hours, Willis said.

The City Council approved the contract signing with the Delaware-based G4S Justice Services during its meeting Aug. 17.

Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.