The Criminal Justice Testing and Evaluation Consortium, a program of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), released a comprehensive four-part research series on technologies that support agencies tasked with monitoring individuals released to community supervision. We are pleased to offer our fourth and final synopsis covering, Smartphone Applications for Community Supervision.
This synopsis examines how smartphone applications are advancing supervision practices, offering agencies new tools to support successful reentry while maintaining necessary oversight. Drawing from the Consortium’s extensive research, it explores how these technologies provide advanced capabilities through remote check-ins, goal tracking, and resource connectivity—innovations that arrive at a crucial time when agencies seek more efficient and less stigmatizing supervision methods.
Key developments in smartphone supervision technology covered in the Consortium’s research include:
- Integration with wearable devices for enhanced location monitoring
- Automated reporting and communication tools
- Built-in substance use monitoring capabilities
- Direct access to support resources and services
For those interested in a deeper exploration of these topics, the synopsis provides links to the full briefs for readers to delve into specific areas of interest.
For agencies evaluating these solutions, the synopsis distills essential guidance from the Consortium’s comprehensive research on implementation strategies and important considerations for different supervision scenarios. It emphasizes the importance of matching technological capabilities with specific agency needs and population requirements.