Community Corrections > Overview

Don’t Give Them an Ankle Bracelet, Give them a Hand

Explore Telmate Guardian, our ultra-modern smartphone-based,
GPS solution for community corrections.

"With Guardian it’s incentivizing for individuals to get the ankle monitor off and to be placed on the Guardian smartphone app." —Case Manager Supervisor Troy Esera, The Northwest Regional Re-Entry Center, OR

Overview

Telmate Guardian is an offender monitoring software product used by community corrections personnel to supervise offenders on parole, probation, pre-trial or work release. When installed on a smartphone, the Guardian application captures location information as well as biometrics, such as facial photos and voice samples.

Case managers can review the location of the offender at any time, and by obtaining photos and audio, the case manager can see how the offender is doing, not just where they are.

With Guardian, case managers don’t have to manage hardware or devices. The Guardian dashboard can be accessed securely using any standard web browser and an offender can install the free Guardian app directly onto their personal smartphone.

Features

EVENT REMINDERS
Case managers can send automated alerts, at a variety of intervals, about upcoming appointments or action items to ensure offenders remember and show up.
ALERTS AND NOTIFICATIONS
Case managers get timely SMS alerts on the move. Alerts and notifications can easily be configured, updated and changed.
CUSTOM CHECK-IN PROGRAMS
Case managers can configure custom check-in schedules that specify select days, frequency of check-ins, and expanding workplace options.
MEET NOW (GUARDIAN VIDEO)
Live, remote video meetings to verify an offender’s environment, or to ensure program compliance. Video is broadcast with location information from the offender’s device and is available to download for court usage.
Efficient Dashboard Screen
Guardian’s dashboard makes all violation data available in real-time, eliminating the time-consuming need for case managers to sift through dense emails and faxes.
Geo Zones
Case managers can easily designate multiple inclusion and exclusion zones.
Device Location Monitoring
The offender’s smartphone automatically reports its location at configurable intervals throughout each day via GPS device monitoring.

Benefits

BENEFIT	FOR CASE MANAGERS	FOR OFFENDERS
LOWER COST & LESS MANAGEMENT	With no devices or hardware to install and manage, case managers can spend more time working their cases and not waste time troubleshooting faulty devices and handling equipment repairs.	Rather than pay for a GPS bracelet, offenders can use the device they probably already own – their smartphone.
DISCRETION	Case managers now have an alternative to traditional electronic monitoring that is effective, reliable and discreet. The discretionary aspect appeals to lower risk offenders who want to comply and get on with their lives.	A phone is less embarrassing and limiting than an ankle monitor for public situations such as employment, school and church.
PUBLIC SAFETY	Guardian lets case managers monitor more offenders. If you can widen case loads, it’s a win-win for public safety.	Guardian gives offenders the ability to verify their whereabouts voluntarily at any time. For example, if an offender is in a bind but able to verify they’re at work, they can be exonorated from scrutiny.
BIOMETRICS	Automatic check-ins, device reporting, and facial and voice biometrics provide increased information and ongoing insight into offender’s movements, locations and well-being.	With check-ins, offenders can demonstrate compliance and good behavior, such as going to school, going to a job, and things that aren’t possible to verify with an ankle monitor.
GEOFENCING	Inclusion and exclusion zones can be used for restricted areas or to verify an offender is compliant with their program, such as verify they are going to work, attending class, turning up for court appearances, and more.	Offenders receive a smartphone notification at random intervals prompting a check-in and a chance to confirm they are going to a job, school, or meeting the requirements of their reentry program.

How it Works

1. ENROLL/INSTALL SMARTPHONE APPLICATION
A case manager sets up a new user online, and provides a unique PIN to the offender. The offender installs the Android or iOS application on their smartphone, and enters their unique PIN to get started.
2. OFFENDER IS PROMPTED TO CHECK IN
The offender receive a smartphone notification at random intervals prompting a “check-in.” They respond to check-in alerts by speaking a random series of numbers while multiple photos are taken. The frequency of check-ins is set by the case manager, and check-ins may also be triggered manually, at any time.
3. FACE & VOICE DETECTION
The voice recording and photos from each check-in are immediately available for review to ensure an accurate, positive match.

4. DEVICE LOCATION MONITORING
Guardian features GPS device monitoring where the offender’s smartphone automatically reports its location at configurable intervals throughout each day, providing additional reporting in between required enrollee check-ins.
5. STAFF TRACKING/ALARMS
Using browser-based mapping and analysis software, all check-ins are tracked, logged and measured against the offender’s custom parameters. Staff may opt to receive immediate alarms if individuals violate any term of their monitoring agreement. Printable summaries are available for case review.

The Community Corrections Challenge

In the past few years, as a result of federal court cases and public elections, there has been a shift from “hard bed” corrections to “community corrections.” States across the country have been mandated to release thousands of prisoners due to overcrowding and voter initiatives that are reducing felonies to misdemeanors.

As a result, due to the large numbers of clients being returned to society, community corrections is the growing corrections market in need of effective tools to help with the rehabilitation and reintegrating of clients back into society. It has become clear that as a society, we cannot continue to house all offenders in hard beds, and therefore we must find effective, efficient and affordable ways to keep released offenders under effective supervision.

The Telmate Guardian Solution

Today, a large amount of individuals on probation or parole don’t get an expensive ankle bracelet and are not monitored except for periodic phone calls or in-person visits. Telmate Guardian offers an effective, innovative, and low cost smartphone-based solution that captures a wealth of GPS information for those clients currently under minimal supervision. Guardian not only helps case managers do more with less, it also provides clients a discreet and familiar mobile app solution that supports increased participation, while raising personal confidence.

Guardian is not simply a competitor of traditional electronic home detention (EHD); it is a much more robust system that offers offenders an assistive technology to successfully reintegrate into society. Guardian aids in re-entry by fostering enrollee freedom, trust, independence and dignity, all with a supportive, firm, and secure touch. Guardian is simple for case managers and enrollees to use and gives unmatched customization, control and reporting around when, where, and how often clients check in.

Guardian Related Videos

Telmate Guardian

Guardian Related Resources

Telmate Guardian Confirm

Telmate Guardian Datasheet

Telmate Guardian Brochure

Telmate Guardian Whitepaper

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