Click the link for the specific topic that you are interested in learning more about.
As your primary point of contact, your SCRAM Systems Data Analyst will handle the daily analysis workload. Communications with SCRAM Systems regarding a specific alert will normally occur electronically by adding a comment in the Alert Management Console, notes in the Daily Action Plan (DAP) and, if needed, via telephone.
Daily Action Plan PDF Attachment
Data Interpretation and Analysis
Once the SCRAM CAM Bracelet is attached to the client’s ankle, 24-hour remote monitoring begins. Alerts that can be generated may be an indication of an intentional non-compliance event or an unavoidable circumstance. One example is:
- A Communication alert can indicate that the client was unable to be within range of the base station during their scheduled communication time, or did not report to the office for a manual data upload.
Note: Normally, no action is required for a Communication alert. If the bracelet does NOT communicate with the base station or Direct Connect for a second consecutive day (48 hours), a Critical Communication alert is generated and the original Communication alert is auto-resolved.
On the other hand, other alerts reflect that the client has likely violated the Participant Agreement in some way. These alerts include:
- A Critical Communication alert can indicate that the client has established a trend of not being within the base station during their scheduled communication time for the past 48 hours or that the base station has been unplugged for the past 48 hours. A Critical Communication alert can also be generated if the client has not reported to the office for a manual data upload.
- An Alcohol Detected alert will always indicate that the client’s TAC level has risen above the caseload’s threshold. Introducing an interferant can also trigger this alert. SCRAM Systems analysis will confirm a true drinking event. When the alert is confirmed, the alert name changes to Alcohol Confirmed.
- A Potential Removal alert indicates that the client may have removed the bracelet. The name of the alert changes to Removal Confirmed when the alert is confirmed.
- A Potential Tamper alert can be a signal of an intentional act or an attempt to mask an alcohol consumption event. SCRAM Systems analysis will confirm any attempt to tamper with the bracelet; changing the name of the alert to Tamper Confirmed.
While the client is on the program, alerts can also be generated for equipment maintenance or services. For example:
- A Replace Equipment alert is generated if the bracelet or base station is flagged as “Damaged”.
- A Battery Low alert is generated when the battery strength falls below an acceptable threshold.
Observed IR Readings
IR is an abbreviation for Infrared. An IR sensor in the bracelet measures the reflective intensity of an IR beam between the bracelet and the client’s leg. This component is used to ensure that the bracelet is on the client and to detect materials being placed between the bracelet and the leg, potentially blocking the alcohol sensors of the faceplate.
If a Data Analyst views an unacceptable change in the IR reading, the Data Analyst may request that you have the client come into the office to perform an observed IR reading upload. You can use the assigned base station to upload the observed readings but using Direct Connect to upload the readings is the recommended action. You should inspect the client’s bracelet for any sign of damage and to confirm that nothing is between the bracelet and the leg. Forcing the bracelet to take at least five readings one minute apart while the client is in the office ensures that the IR pattern returns to baseline.
Client Workload
A Workload page is available at the Call Center, Caseload, Agent, Court, Judge, Region, and Service Location levels of SCRAMNET. The Workload page displays the alerts that have been generated for those clients that are in that level of coverage. All of the alerts are listed in one of the following groups:
- Positives
- Tampers
- Communications
- Equipment Alerts
- Equipment Assignment
- Scheduled Maintenance
Positives
Alcohol Detected
An Alcohol Detected alert is generated when the bracelet generates three consecutive readings above 0.020 and one of the readings is at caseload-selected threshold.
- The bracelet has detected alcohol, but an environmental factor (interferant) caused the readings rather than the ingestion of alcohol.
The guidelines used by SCRAM Systems to confirm an Alcohol Detected alert include:
- Presence of an absorption curve
- Presence of an elimination curve
Alcohol Detected
As stated earlier, an Alcohol Detected alert can also be generated by the introduction of an interferant. The following graph illustrates the alcohol absorption and elimination curve caused by an interferant, and how the difference is detected and confirmed.
Alcohol Detected – Interferant
Tampers
What is a Potential Tamper alert?
A Potential Tamper alert is generated when there is an unacceptable change in IR baseline from the previous readings. Possible reasons for a Potential Tamper alert include:
- Tamper – A material being placed between the bracelet and leg
- Submersion – Submerging the bracelet in water
- Open Strap – The client cutting one of the bracelet straps or the straps are incorrectly aligned
- Bracelet Fit – The bracelet is not fitted correctly or the client has lost weight
What is a Potential Removal alert?
The Potential Removal alert indicates the client has cut the strap or removed the bracelet without damaging the strap.
What is a Confirmed Tamper?
SCRAM Systems will confirm a tamper when there is a change in IR baseline for an extended period of time meeting criteria. A confirmed tamper indicates that the client has attempted to defeat the technology and compromise alcohol testing.
Potential Removal
A Potential Removal alert is generated under the following circumstances:
- Most Potential Removal alerts are generated when supervising personnel are replacing the bracelet battery. Another cause may be that the bracelet straps are not correctly aligned.
- The strap has been damaged or cut to remove the bracelet.
- A significant drop in temperature and IR pattern followed by multiple readings of no variance, which is expected under normal conditions.
Potential Removal – Overlay graph
Potential Tamper
A Potential Tamper alert is generated under the following circumstances:
- The Infrared IR baseline readings between the skin and the sensor have dramatically changed and could indicate the introduction of an object between the bracelet and leg.
- Temperature and IR baseline readings varied beyond limits between readings.
Potential Tamper – Overlay graph
Communications
Critical Communications
A Critical Communications alert is generated when the device does not communicate with the system in 48 hours.
Communications
A Communications alert is generated under the following circumstances:
- The bracelet stopped communicating with the base station in the middle of a transmission.
- The bracelet failed to communicate with the base station as anticipated.
- The bracelet does NOT communicate with Direct Connect 24 hours after scheduled download time.
- Communication between the base station and SCRAMNET was lost during the middle of a call.
- The bracelet or base station are not functioning properly.
- The client has been incarcerated.
- The The client has been approved for travel.
Equipment Alerts
Replace Equipment
A Replace Equipment alert is generated under the following circumstances:
- Data indicates an equipment problem that requires immediate replacement.
Note: Once a problem is detected, replace the bracelet as soon as possible because alerts are no longer being generated in SCRAMNET. In other words, the client is no longer being monitored. - The bracelet has been scheduled for maintenance and warranty checks.
Annual Maintenance Required
An Annual Maintenance Required alert will generate at 335 days of on-ankle use and display in SCRAMNET on the Workload page under the Equipment Alerts section. At this time, the client is still being monitored, and alerts will generate in the system for all non-compliant events. SCRAM Systems recommends replacing the SCRAM CAM bracelet within 30 days of the alert generating in the system.
Remote Diagnostic Alert
A Remote Diagnostic alert is generated when the bracelet reports data that must first be analyzed by SCRAM Systems. Contact SCRAM Systems Customer Services for further instructions.
Equipment Assignments
Equipment Assignment
An Equipment Assignment alert is generated under the following circumstances:
- The base station was unable to download bracelet setup information from the network.
- A problem occurred during the setup.
- The bracelet failed to start the setup process or to complete it.
Equipment Pending Removal
An Equipment Pending Removal alert is generated when a device remains in the “Pending Removal” status for 24 hours.
Equipment Awaiting Return
An Equipment Awaiting Return alert is generated when a device remains in the “Awaiting Return” status for three days.
Scheduled Maintenance
Replace Battery/Faceplate
A Replace Battery/Faceplate alert is auto-generated every 90 days after a new battery is installed in the bracelet. The alert is generated after 60 days for older bracelets or if the bracelet is also being used on a client being monitored for house arrest. Accessing the Bracelet Maintenance page from the client’s Equipment page, the alert is automatically resolved/reset upon replacement.
Battery Low
A Battery Low alert is generated when the battery on the bracelet needs to be replaced. The alert is auto-resolved when the battery is replaced and you record the replacement on the Bracelet Maintenance page.
Note: The battery should continue to function for 5 to 7 days after the Battery Low alert appears.
Strap Maintenance Required
A Strap Maintenance Required alert is generated when the bracelet detects that the buckle strap or long strap on the bracelet needs to be replaced. The alert is auto-resolved when the action is completed and recorded on the Bracelet Maintenance page.
Alert Confirmation Process
Once SCRAMNET receives all recorded data, the information is processed using a series of application logic to determine if an alcohol, tamper, and/or removal event has been detected. If an alert is generated, the alert data is analyzed and interpreted by a Data Analyst.
All suspected events are reviewed using a set of confirmation criteria that has been clearly defined and validated with live subject testing and thousands of clients.
Alert Confirmation Process
Alert Review and Confirmation
The following steps are performed daily.
- A Data Analyst reviews the alerts and determines if a non-compliance event has occurred.
- If further information is needed, the Data Analyst places the alert in the “In Process” status and adds comments.
- If the necessary criteria are met, the Data Analyst confirms the alert.