Virtual Custody systems for improved house arrest and prison security

The Virtual Custody electronic monitoring systems offer features beyond those of current electronic monitoring systems. Virtual Custody was designed to address concerns associated with house arrest, and to offer significant benefits for use in prisons. Systems have been developed for cooperative self-reporting and for automatic monitoring. The cooperative Virtual Custody system replaces current electronic monitoring systems, offering lower cost and additional information, while permitting broader use of remote monitoring with population segments currently excluded from consideration. By relying upon the offender to initiate a phone call from any location in response to a random alarm, the system can be used with individuals who have irregular work schedules, or who do not maintain a fixed address or phone line. The automatic Virtual Custody system provides remote tracking and monitoring capability on a continuous basis, and has particular immediate application to enhancing security and safety with maximum security prisons, and for career criminals or mentally retarded persons on probation or parole, or awaiting trial. The automatic system utilizes advances in geopositional navigational systems and in cellular telephones to provide continuous locating capability. The potential markets for Virtual Custody monitoring are quantified