The call from Police Scotland for the use of US-style "sobriety bracelets" as part of the sentencing of offenders is an idea well worth considering.
The suggestion, as part of the force's response to a Scottish Government consultation on extending the use of electronic monitoring, offers a number of potential advantages.
The major one, of course, is as an alternative to custody. If alcohol is a factor in repeat offending, it can feel pointless for the courts to resist a prison sentence. Yet we know short sentences are essentially an expensive waste of time, at best giving taxpayers a way of taking someone out of circulation, but often returning them to their own environment with little prospect of change.
As part of a community sentence, remote alcohol monitoring could reassure sheriffs and the public that custody can be avoided.
Anyone working particularly with young male offenders will understand the value of initiatives like this in helping counteract peer pressure.
Even with the best intentions, those who are prone to alcohol-related offences can be easily led astray when released from custody to return to their communities. Being able to explain that a sobriety bracelet will give the game away, and could lead to a court recall, could give them the kind of back-up they need to hold fast to good intentions.
There is also evidence that sobriety bracelets can make a difference to victims of domestic violence. In cases where alcohol has been a factor in domestic abuse, US experience has shown that such devices have given victims significant respite at least, if not a permanent solution.
It is important, of course, that such monitoring is reliable. Improving technology has allayed concerns about levels of false positives.
There are conflicting voices. The Scottish Association of Social Work acknowledges some benefits but fears that this could lead to additional offences for a breach. It also says efforts at total abstinence should be voluntary. The Office of the Information Commission is also lukewarm.
When used properly, however, this is a commonsense initiative. The issue of electronic monitoring is also a complex one. Police Scotland is proposing wide use of satellite monitoring, particularly of sex offenders. It, too, could be useful in monitoring those convicted of domestic violence, it is argued.
Whether GPS technology offers significant benefits over existing technologies, given the likely cost, should be the subject of greater public debate. Without back-up from community justice teams, it is unlikely to have a big impact. Investment would need to accompany increased tagging.
Despite some success in Europe, allowing private firms to monitor every movement of private citizens is a step which raises major civil liberties questions.
With doubts about the Scottish Government's minimum alcohol pricing policy, remote alcohol monitoring at least offers a quick and effective way to tackle some of the harm caused by excessive drinking. Also, it can be introduced imminently.
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