Texas Senate Bill SB368

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the release by a sheriff of certain defendants to an electronic monitoring or house arrest program.

Impact

The legislation could significantly impact the management of county jails by reducing the number of inmates through alternatives to incarceration. This could alleviate overcrowding issues present in many county jails while providing offenders with a structured environment to serve their sentences. Encouraging the use of electronic monitoring may also offer cost savings for the state by lessening the financial burden associated with housing inmates in jails.

Summary

Senate Bill 368 seeks to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to allow sheriffs in Texas to release certain defendants from county jail to participate in electronic monitoring or house arrest programs. The bill acknowledges the sheriff's discretion in determining whether a defendant's release into such programs is in the best interest of both the defendant and public safety. This measure presents an alternative to traditional confinement, enabling judges and law enforcement to utilize more flexible supervision methods.

Contention

While the bill aims to create more effective means of supervising defendants, there are potential concerns about the implementation and monitoring of such programs. Critics may argue about the effectiveness and reliability of electronic monitoring, questioning whether these systems can ensure compliance and community safety. Additionally, financial implications regarding the costs born by defendants for their monitoring services could be contentious, as they may disproportionately affect those who are unable to pay.

Administrative considerations

Furthermore, the bill empowers sheriffs to impose reasonable conditions on defendants participating in these programs, including the ability to revoke a defendant's status and send them back to jail under certain circumstances. This provision places considerable responsibility on local law enforcement and has implications for their administrative functionality, resource allocation, and operational training concerning new electronic monitoring systems.