Nashville, TN – Rutherford County is Tennessee’s fastest-growing county, both in terms of population and employment growth (ranked fourth in the nation in 2011). As part of the Nashville metro area—and having the distinction of being the exact geographic center of the state—Rutherford County includes the cities of Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, and Eagleville. In addition to its quaint Southern charm and rich Civil War history, Rutherford County is also home to several corporate giants such as Nissan, Whirlpool, General Mills, State Farm, Bridgestone-Firestone, and Verizon Wireless.
In early 2012, Tennessee HB 3281 legislation was passed throughout the state that affects the pre-trial release of multiple DUI arrestees and directs the use of transdermal monitoring—such as SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring—on eligible repeat offenders.
How is SCRAM CAM Being Used?
The Rutherford County General Sessions Court magistrates consistently use SCRAM CAM as part of the terms of pretrial release for alcohol-related defendants. The court orders SCRAM CAM, through Providence Community Corrections, for:
- Offenders with 2nd or greater DUI charges
- 1st time DUI offenders with aggravated circumstances
Outcomes
With its fast-paced population growth and support of HB 3281, Rutherford County’s SCRAM CAM program has been embraced by its court staff. This support is exemplified by higher-than-average accountability, with 9 out of 10 clients fully compliant (no confirmed drinking or tampering) for the entire duration of their monitoring periods.