Alternatives to incarceration: CPAC
Alternatives to incarceration: CPAC
Alternatives to incarceration: CPAC
The San Diego County in California has adopted a new policy that allows the consideration of Electronic Home Confinement through a surveillance program called CPAC.
This initiative was born as an alternative to incarceration due to the overcrowding of jails, limited budgets and health problems the county is facing.
What is CPAC?
CPAC consists of an electronic monitoring system the San Diego county supervises. It can be implemented on people who have received a jail sentence of one year or less and his or her felony was not serious or violent.
This program also allows the person to keep their job and avoid serving time in jail because the sentence will be completed at home.
The CPAC program will let the person travel to and from work only. In other words, social travel or un-approved movement to other places is not allowed.
Another option for house arrest for people with DUI-related crimes is SCRAM, which stands for Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor, and it consists of a bracelet that monitors the person’s alcohol levels through the skin every 30 minutes.
CPAC rules
Some of the rules a person that is granted house arrest through CPAC has to follow are:
- To remain within the interior premises of his or her residence during the hours the Sheriff’s County Parole and Alternative Custody (CPAC) Unit designated.
- If any CPAC staff member, San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy, or peace officer arrives at the residence at any time or purpose, they are to be admitted in order to verify the compliance with the conditions of the detention.
- Agree with the use of electronic monitoring, which may include GPS surveillance.
- Accept that he or she can be removed from the program without a court order and be taken into custody if several criteria are not met.
- The electronic monitoring equipment should not be tampered with, deliberately damaged or removed.
- Accept that all of the program fees (paid or prepaid) are nonrefundable.
- The person must reside in San Diego County and provide proof of residency. He or she also has to maintain electricity with the residence and a telephone to be contacted by CPAC staff.
- All of the residents of the household that are over 18 years old must agree to the conditions listed on the Cohabitant Acknowledgement Form.
- No one is allowed to move into the household unless prior permission is obtained from CPAC staff.
Among other rules the person that is serving home confinement will need to agree not to consume or possess alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or narcotics. If they are taking prescribed medication, the CPAC staff must be notified. Guns, explosives or deadly weapons restricted by the Penal Code in California will not be allowed in the home.
Another condition to be accepted into the CPAC program is to submit to chemical, blood, breath, saliva or urine testing when deemed necessary. Also, the person may be directed to enroll and participate in treatment programs or counseling by the CPAC staff.
Finally, the person that has joined the CPAC program will not have any form of contact or communication with inmates in any jail, correctional facility, state prison, gang members or convicted felons. In addition, they will submit themselves, their property or residence to search without a warrant or probable cause at any time by the CPAC staff.
How to qualify for CPAC?
In order for you to qualify for CPAC in San Diego, California, the crime you committed must have been a misdemeanor or something related to a drug crime, repeat DUI, theft and fraud. However, you will require a good defense lawyer that can prove that you are eligible for house arrest through the CPAC program.
At Kannan Law we want you to avoid unnecessary jail time and CPAC might be an option for you. Contact us today and receive a consultation, we will be ready to assist you as we have broad experience in criminal defense in California. Keep in mind that there are more important requirements on needs to be aware of regarding CPAC, is the best is to consult with your attorney for more details.
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During the COVID-19 outbreak, KANNAN law firm took the time to listen to my case concerning a loved one who is at the end of his sentence who I’m greatly concerned about as this virus vastly spreads.
Unlike all other lawyers I had spoke too, they called me back immediately, explained the new order in place.. they weren’t after my money or to take advantage of us who have loved ones in the system during this horrible pandemic.
Thank you, I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart!
E W