Advancing electronic monitoring in Scotland: Understanding the influences of localism and professional ideologies

Abstract

Scotland has one of the highest prison population rates in Western Europe, coinciding with a recent growth in interest in electronic monitoring (EM) as a potential mechanism for diversion and decarceration. Scotland also has a relatively sophisticated suite of community sanctions and measures -from which court-imposed and prison-imposed EM orders have, for 15 years, been largely kept separate, until now. This article analyses the perspectives of Scottish practitioners and decision-makers regarding current stand-alone uses of electronic monitoring, canvassing relevant Scottish jurisdictional findings from within a larger European comparative research project. It reveals localised, institutional and professional differences in the Scottish criminal justice field. Our analysis demonstrates that Scottish practitioners want more integration in principle, but forewarns that the extent of their support may depend on how and by whom this is done in practice.

What Works in the Digital Age? VR and Smartphone Applications for Forensic Psychology

“…Studies confirm that acceptance of eHealth among health care professionals is still limited (Hennemann et al, 2017;Kip et al, 2019a). It is therefore important to consider how the use of technology in forensic health practices is influenced by organisational culture, professional ideologies, values and working conditions (Graham & McIvor, 2017), and how increasing the use of technology will affect work within forensic health practices and the relationship between therapists and service users. Even though implementation is often only included in the final stages of intervention development, it is critical that the implementation process is carefully considered from the outset to ensure that VR and smartphone app interventions will be integrated in existing care (Kip et al, 2019a;Kip et al, 2021;Schueller & Torous, 2020).…”

Electronic Surveillance in Court Proceedings and in the Execution of Criminal Penalties: Legislative and Logistical Steps Regarding Operationalising the Electronic Monitoring Information System (EMIS) in Romania

“…Although not perfectly (Lima Machado et al 2017;Dünkel 2018;Richter et al 2021;Jones 2014), once the EMIS is operationalised, they could bring advantages if compared with the traditionally used devices (Graham and McIvor 2017;Wallace-Capretta and Roberts 2013;Nellis 2014;Daubal et al 2013;Jakkhupan and Klaypaksee 2014;Oduor et al 2014;Henneguelle et al 2016), being a good alternative to overcrowded cost-incurring prisons.…”

Participant experiences of a post-release electronic monitoring program for domestic violence in New South Wales, Australia

“…In the context of the rise of EM, some scholars argued that criminal justice systems have “fallen prey to a series of technofallacies which undermine practice”—that is, a panacea is offered to criminal justice authorities without a full understanding of the less visible and/or less measurable impacts such technology may have on people being electronically monitored (Corbett & Marx, 1991, pp. 399–400) as well as a lack of consideration of the pragmatic and cultural contexts within which these programs are run (Graham & McIvor, 2017).…”

“…Themes identified in existing studies suggest impacts beyond the EM technology and program itself, reaching into areas of daily living such as employment and relationships, as well as psychological impacts of self-reflection, stigma, and emotional distress (Bales et al, 2010; Gibbs & King, 2003; Hucklesby, 2009; Maidment, 2002; Rados, 2019; Staples & Decker, 2010; Vanhaelemeesch et al, 2014). There is a related need to attend to additional supervision and support measures to accompany EM (Graham & McIvor, 2017).…”