WHY NOT ANKLE MONITORS FOR CADDO PRISONERS GOING FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT

The escape of Caddo Correctional Center  (CCC) inmate Tre’vion Jackson from the Caddo Sheriff deputy’s custody after a visit to LSU Ochsner Hospital has been widely publicized in the media.

Caddo Sheriff Henry Whitehorn has admitted the malfeasance that resulted in the escape and has instituted new protocols for future inmate visits outside CCC. Reportedly the deputy accompanying Jackson was assaulted in his escape.

The Caddo Juvenile Center has used electronic ankle monitoring as an alternative to detention for specific non-violent offenses since late 2017. This diversion program allows for pre-trial supervision to keep lower-risk youth out of the Caddo Juvenile Center. The parish uses a company out of Texas for this service.

This technology is available from a local company that utilizes real-time GPS tracking and ankle monitoring for pre-trial release programs in Caddo, Bossier, Webster and Desoto parishes. Judges order this monitoring as a condition of pretrial release to ensure accountability.

The ankle monitor tracks movement  via GPS, alerting the monitoring company if the wearer breaks curfew, enters a restricted zone as set by the court, or tampers with the bracelet. It tracks the wearer's movement, providing accurate up to date GPS data reporting that facilites law enforcment in capturing the wearer.

Both the Caddo Juvenile Court monitoring program and the local district courts' monitoring with ankle monitors have been highly successful and proven effective.

The use by CCC of ankle monitoring will not only provide accountability but also allow for the transport of dangerous inmates like Jackson with one deputy versus the new protocol of two deputies.

Additionally such a program will certainly provide major cost savings for all the law enforcement agencies that participated in the efforts to capture Jackson, which was accomplished in Marshall Texas.

And perhaps most importantly, this system would facilitate early capture of an escaped inmate, providing safety and security for local residents.