DENVER—Alcohol Monitoring Systems (AMS) and MAXIMUS have announced a partnership to deliver a new, high-tech alcohol bracelet to probation departments in Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia.
The product, called the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor, or SCRAM, is an alcohol ankle bracelet that actually samples a subject’s sweat—as often as once every 30 minutes—in order to measure Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Already in use in 28 states, the product is generally considered a way to target repeat DUI offenders and other problem drinkers who clog the criminal justice system. “The repeat alcohol-offender cycle isn’t just costly in terms of money—it’s high-risk for the community, as well,” says Don White, spokesman for Denver-based Alcohol Monitoring Systems, which manufactures and markets SCRAM. “Recidivism rates are astounding, and nothing to-date has made a dent in that problem.”
The Correctional Services Division of MAXIMUS provides community supervision, treatment, and electronic monitoring services to more than 35,000 offenders in seven states. According to White, even though SCRAMhas significant penetration across the U.S., a partnership with a company the size and prominence of MAXIMUS is a key move for AMS. “They’re considered a very competent and highly regarded multi-state service provider for the correctional industry, and their service offerings—which combine community safety with both behavioral modification and testing components—is an ideal fit with what SCRAM Programs are designed to do,” says White. Leslie Anderson, a field manager for MAXIMUS, agrees. “We’re very excited to provide the SCRAM technology to our customer base,” says Anderson. “The response to this product has been outstanding. We feel it’s a vital tool for our customers who are dealing with cases that present a high level of risk to the public.” MAXIMUS customers in Tennessee using SCRAM have already used the product to monitor multiple-DUI offenders, Drug Court participants, and domestic violence offenders. On the market for just 18 months, SCRAM has already conducted over 12 million alcohol tests on 6,200 offenders. The system is currently in use in 28 states and more than 250 courts and agencies across the U.S.
Steve Merrefield, a senior vice president for MAXIMUS, expects considerable growth of the product throughout its current customer base. “The product has been well-received, and a number of our customers are expressing an interest,” says Merrefield. According to MAXIMUS, a large portion of their probation population is sentenced for either drunk-driving violations or other offenses where alcohol use is a contributing factor. In Tennessee, the SCRAM product is generally being paid for by the offender, reducing the burden to local government budgets and the taxpayers.
About the SCRAM System
The SCRAM System includes an ankle bracelet/modem combination, similar to a home arrest system. But instead of monitoring an offender’s location, the ankle bracelet tests using a method called Transdermal Analysis in order to measure BAC. At least once each day, the offender is required to be within 30 feet of a modem, placed in their home or at their place of work. The bracelet uploads the test data to the modem, which in turn sends the results to a web-based served hosted by AMS. SCRAM Programs currently include DUI, Drug Court, Family Court, Domestic Violence, Campus Alcohol, and Offender Reentry Programs.
About Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc.
Established in 1997, Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc. manufactures the world’s only noninvasive alcohol-detection system that automatically tests for alcohol every hour, 24 hours a day, regardless of the individual’s location. SCRAM (the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) is the first alcohol testing technology to use Transdermal Analysis to determine an individual’s Blood Alcohol Content. SCRAM fully automates the alcohol testing and reporting process, providing community corrections agencies and treatment organizations nationwide with the ability to classify offenders and assess compliance with sentencing requirements and treatment guidelines. Alcohol Monitoring Systems employs 40 people across the U.S. and is a privately-held company headquartered in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
About MAXIMUS
MAXIMUS is one of America’s leading government services companies devoted to providing program management, consulting and information technology services. The Company has more than 5,100 employees located in more than 220 offices in the United States, Canada and Australia. In 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, MAXIMUS was selected by Forbes Magazine as one of the Best 200 Small Companies in America. MAXIMUS was also selected by Business Week magazine as one of the 100 Best Hot Growth Small Companies in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. MAXIMUS is included in the Russell 2000 Index and the S&P SmallCap 600 Index.