ST. PETERS, MO ( KTVI-FOX2now.com )—
Just a few drops of sweat can tip off probation officers to someone violating parole. Drug courts have been using drunk driving bracelets for some time. Missouri may use the devices statewide to keep drunk drivers off the road.The device can detect alcohol whenever someone sweats. Jennifer Seabaugh was sentenced in a St. Charles county drug court to wear this ankle bracelet following her third DWI.
"If you drink and drive you have, you know you have serious repercussions from it." said Jennifer Seabaugh
Seabaugh credits this bracelet for keeping her from drinking again. That's because the bracelet is fitted with a special device that can detect alcohol when someone sweats.
Joy Oder is the house arrest supervisor for a privately run probation agency called Community Services of Missouri. She showed us how the device works. The bracelet goes on the ankle because it's a part of the body that sweats. If the device detects alcohol an alert is sent to a cell phone. The offender could then be arrested.
"The moment you start consuming alcohol it starts seeping out of your pours it picks up on that and it sends a signal to the monitor."said Joy Oder
The St. Charles county drug court has been using this device for years along with counseling and education.
The reason they believe the device is working is because there have been few reports of anyone violating their probation. Offenders know they'll be caught. Now the rest of the state will follow hoping the bracelets will keep repeat offenders from drinking and getting behind the wheel.
There are two different companies making these devices. There one is bracelet called a Tad another model is called Scram.
Offenders are also ordered to pay an intervention fee that covers the cost of monitoring.
