By Mary Drier (Contact / Staff Bio)
October 28, 2009 - 10:59 a.m. EST

TUSCOLA COUNTY — The “long arm of the law” may be getting some more muscle and longer range.

For the last six to seven years, the cost of housing Tuscola County inmates in other county jails has steadily increased because there isn’t enough room.

Even though the jail has 80 beds, it has constantly run out of space for several years now.

At one point in 2008, the county had 49 inmates locked up in another county’s jail because there wasn’t enough room. So far this year, that number has been as high as 35. For each inmate housed in another county jail, Tuscola County coffers have to pay $35-$45 per day, and that doesn’t include medical care or other associated costs.

However, there is a program that could be used to keep a person “under lock and key” without a lock, key or walls.

House Arrest Services Inc. Court Liaison Audrey Dubiel, showed county officials a number of different types of devices for keeping track of wrongdoers.

“There is a GPS (Global Positioning System) that can be used in lieu of incarceration for domestic violence, stalking or CSC (Criminal Sexual Conduct),” said Dubiel.

There is the tether for lockdown status for not leaving their residence, or for being allowed just to leave for court or work. It’s non-violent offenders who generally can continue to work.

“This device tells where a person is. It can be zoned for just being in a house, county or work,” said Dubiel. “It gives an alert if the wearer moves from the designated zone.

“These devices will help ease jail overcrowding. They are good for nonviolent offenders.”

There is also the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) monitoring tether for alcohol-related crimes.

According to Dubiel, the device can monitor alcohol consumption through the skin.

The cost to use the tether devices is about half the cost of incarceration, and the cost can be charged against the person who has to be monitored.

The judges have to give their approval for the county to be able to use them.

Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.