Supervision by Smartphone: Public Support for App-Based Technology in Community Corrections

• In Event: Technology and surveillance in community sanctions and measures

Abstract

The use of technology in criminal justice has expanded rapidly in recent years, yet its application in community supervision remains relatively new and understudied. One emerging innovation is the use of smartphone applications to facilitate communication between probation or parole officers and supervisees, allowing for remote check-ins, curfew monitoring, and secure submission of drug tests. However, public awareness and acceptance of such tools are limited. Questions remain about whether the public would support app-based supervision equally for individuals convicted of violent versus non-violent offenses, those with prior records, those from different demographic backgrounds, and more. Using a randomized vignette survey experiment, this study seeks to examine public support for the use of mobile apps in community supervision and to identify the conditions under which this support varies. By investigating these perceptions, this study aims to contribute to the growing body of literature on technology in corrections and inform policy decisions regarding the adoption of app-based tools for community supervision.

Author

• Haley Puddy, The University of Texas at Dallas