Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Social Costs of Pretrial Electronic Monitoring in San Francisco

This report features findings from in-depth interviews from 66 people who were court-ordered to electronic monitoring (EM) in San Francisco County, California. Highlighting the nature and difficulties program participants face while trying to comply with EM programs, the report demonstrates the harms of EM, including finding safe housing, securing employment, social isolation, trouble maintaining physical and emotional connections to loved ones, and increased likelihood of new contacts with law enforcement. 

From the Executive Summary:

“In the year following Humphrey, a judicial decision mandating that judges consider both defendants’ ability to pay cash bail and non-monetary release options, San Francisco Sheriff’s Office (SFSO) reported a 308% increase in the number of people court-ordered for pretrial electronic monitoring (EM) – from 178 to 725. Although proponents of pretrial EM have described it as an effective alternative to pretrial incarceration – one that ensures public safety and court appearances – critics contend that it is simply an alternative form of incarceration, with many of jail’s attendant harms. With this debate in mind, we explore people’s recent experiences on pretrial EM in San Francisco – the extent and nature of difficulties program participants face while attempting to meet program obligations, the extent to which and how these difficulties put them at risk for noncompliance, and how threats of noncompliance interact with other major issues that system-involved people face to affect program outcomes.

San Franciscans would be far better served by investing in long-term, safe, and affordable housing as well as easily accessible, strong supports for those with both mental health and substance abuse issues, the very people at greatest risk of frequent contact with the criminal legal system.”