Participant experiences of a post-release electronic monitoring program for domestic violence in New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

Electronic monitoring has been increasingly used internationally with recent implementation in Australia for those convicted of domestic violence offenses. It is timely and important to gain a better understanding of the physical, psychological, social, and offending-related experiences and impacts of electronic monitoring on this group to inform further implementation. This study describes the experiences of individuals who were subject to a post-release electronic monitoring program for domestic violence in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with 16 men who had recently experienced electronic monitoring. Thematic analysis was used to investigate common themes across participants’ experiences. Demographic and basic quantitative health data were also collected. Five themes were identified: (a) confusion regarding program practices, (b) awareness and pressure of monitoring, (c) social exclusion effects, (d) felt and enacted stigmatization, and (e) “for them not for me.” The findings reveal participants were highly aware of their being monitored, with a mix of positive and negative responses to this cognizance. Being electronically monitored had several flow-on effects on participants’ lives, creating challenges in social spheres across work and personal life. Stigma, both felt and enacted, featured heavily in participants’ responses. Individual factors that may affect program adherence were also identified, including education level and intent to commit a crime. Further quantitative work will be useful for informing a more complete understanding of the relationship between program experiences and outcomes such as reoffending and post-release community integration.

Victim and Victim Support Staff Experiences of a Domestic Violence Electronic Monitoring Program in Australia

“…This work was completed as part of a Feasibility Evaluation of the NSW DVEM program, commissioned by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. See Hwang et al (2021) for interviews conducted with POIs on the DVEM program.…”

“…Six referrals were received in the first 4 months of recruitment (July–October 2019), of which only three victims were contactable and completed an interview. According to program data, N = 130 POIs participated in the program during the 12 month period from November 2018 to November 2019 (Hwang et al, 2021). Ongoing consultation occurred with key program stakeholders to determine the best method of better capturing victim experiences of the DVEM program.…”

“…Victims had carried their devices for 4 months. The mean duration of carrying an EM device by POIs on the program is 84 days (median 80 days; IQR 30-122) (Hwang et al, 2021). All victims were female, most were born in Australia and one third were of Indigenous (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) decent.…”

Population ageing, incarceration and the growing digital divide: understanding the effects of digital literacy inequity experienced by older people leaving prison

“…Taking a desistance mindset, considering digital illiteracy a key criminogenic issue and broadening pre-release planning to include a consideration of digital readiness will be beneficial for tackling recidivism for this group. Relatedly, researchers and policymakers have increasingly recognized the utility of using digital tools for rehabilitation and treatment for prisoners both whilst in prison and after release, such as rehabilitative apps, or digital means of supervision (e.g., Hwang et al, 2021;Perdacher et al, 2022;Seo et al, 2021). Older people in prison must be taught to use such technology for these rehabilitation initiatives to be successful.…”

Assessing Community Readiness For Electronic Monitoring Device Towards Community Well-Being

“…It is used extensively across Europe, the Americas and Australia variously as a condition for bail; as part of a community sentence or suspended sentence orders or to allow for the early release of prisoners. EMD also has been increasingly used internationally with recent implementation for those convicted of domestic violence offenses (Hwang et al, 2021). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brazilian government used EMD to Brazilian prisoners as a strategy to prevent the spread of infection in prisons (Xavier et al, 2021).…”