SCRAM: Health Concerns
An article reads , " Several defense attorneys for SCRAM wearers in Milwaukee said they didn't know enough about the device to comment on it. Tanz, whose client was taken off SCRAM because of system difficulties - among other things."I am wondering if this is another victim of the abrasions and infections caused by the bracelet,they seem reluctant to specify.Already subject to outside influences,this is another fallibility,for if the tether is loose obstructions can occur while the wearer is unaware and even during dormancy. This means that the bracelet needs to be fitted as tight as possible,to protect a person from false allegations.SCRAM units are usually used in cases involving alcohol,most commonly drunk driving charges,which means that most wearers do not have liscenses.Walking an average of 40 miles a week(to meetings,work,etc...),I began to develop abrasions that eventually became one infected wound,the wound took five weeks to heal leaving me with a permanent scar and damage to the underlying nerves.They switched legs and loosened the apparatus and I received a "confirmed obstruction" charge within 2 months.At my last two "standard equipment check" I had to insist the bracelet be tight.Again I developed the abrasions,and at my last equipment check the person fitting the bracelet didn't wear protective gloves,I didn't think about it until later but doesn't that jeopordize both of us,or the next offender with open wounds?I began research to help me avoid these again by identifying and treating if possible without violating probation and have found that there are trancommunicable infections as well as diseases that could transfer in this manner.In another post a wearer says," The devices are not monitored for cleanliness. While my "sentence was being imposed" on me the agency personnel laughed and joked about using a device they had just taken off another defendant."Truth is they do not monitor nor do they recommend the cleaning of the devices.I thought I was the only one at risk when I was approached by another wearer who is experiencing the same complications,and as severe.While conversing we began to wonder who wore the bracelet before us,how was it cleaned,what is the time between removal and reuse?This was the first time I was ever subject to an infection,my third bracelet didn't cause one,so was this the result of a tainted bracelet?I would think that trapping dorment bacteria between skin and the bracelet would provide an excellent breeding ground,body heat,air,moisture from bodily secretion and toxins etc...The bracelet is similar to a cast,itching and rashes I imagine are the most common complaints but any tear in the skin,even from scratching,could be vulnerable.A wearer is limited to prevenative or immediate treatment due to the nature of the device.I am also aware of one wearer that had an emergency room visit due to infections.To date,I have found 6 people that have or are wearing SCRAM bracelets and of them 4 have the abrasions and 2 didn't.It seems (so far 100%)that smaller people are more vulnerable than a larger person.On my final visit to H.A.S.,it was the topic of discussion among the offenders and the staff,which leads me to believe they are common and are not considered an issue,until someone gets really sick or a wearer successfully fights for their right to bodily integrity.
The system isn't universally well-regarded. University of Washington physiologist Michael Hlastala, who has testified as an expert in two SCRAM-related cases, said he doesn't believe enough is known about the way alcohol diffuses into perspiration to make such devices immune from false positive readings and other errors."It's not well enough understood, those mechanisms, to really consider this to be an accurate device," Hlastala said.
"With the benefit of 21st century technology this is the best design they could come up with,an 8 ounce pair of head phones strapped to my leg." Mr.Vega
"One thing was certain, some really smart guy's making a lot of money out of it,"Milwaukee attorney Tanz said.
HOME
posted by marcellus91872 at 1:48 AM
14 Comments:
Hi, I am a single mother with 3 children. Ages 22, 19 and one (still at home) 15. I was just charged with my 3rd drunk driving in a 10 year period. I own my own home and I am fortunate enough to have a good job (15yrs). I work hard everyday and have worked very hard for what I have. I don't and never have drnnk everyday, however,I did look forward to drinking on weekends. I am very angry with myself for making a stupid decision to drive after I had been drinking (yet ANOTHER time)! I am on the Laws side with NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!!! I could never live with myself if "I" driving under the influence caused harm to anyone other than myself. I am very "new" to this SCRAM TETHER, but at the moment, I am thankful for having this option...much better than being in jail. And, I realize that drinking is not an option for me! I don't ever want to drink again....it's ruined alot of my plans in life and now I realize it's also affecting my family's lifes.
I personally felt the same at one time, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to show the courts that abstinence is not a challenge nor is it a great accomplishment. I never said the device couldn't be used constructively, unfortunately it is not being used that way in most courts. A monitor, not direct evidence, and perhaps one day, if your wearing it for any length of time, you'll understand what this is all about. I have done a diligent study and have only found one person that was charged with a crime that was actually committed (I'm sure there is more). Mopping the floors, cutting lawns, getting hair-cuts, sleeping, and in my case, I believe dead skin from the abrasion caused an obstruction are charges under an erroneous read, allthough they say 60% of wearers successfully complete the program (really would you drink knowing the court is watching-40%?) I hope you can be one of them!!
Hi,I have had a scram tether on for four months now. It was put on due to a probation violation. This is my first encounter with the law due to driveing under the influence on a snowmobile in my own yard, but a friend was on it with me and he broke his arm. That is why I am on Probation. I got caught drinking violated probation from a ETC. anyway, This tether has cost me over 1600.00 in the time i've had it on. Now I got a call from my po saying there was a confirmed obstruction. Two weeks later I had to go in for about my fifth check on it, something was wrong so they had to change it. But the one they changed was on upsidedown and to loose. They said the infared light was blocked for seven hours. I go to court on May 2 2006 in clinton county Michigan.
I did not do anything to this tether. What should I do NO MONEY FOR A LAWYER.
During testing they tried to obstruct with saran wrap, black trash bag, cardboard and a sock,the device still detected a drinking episode. Witnesses may be of help but these obstructions are common when one is sleeping!
I've just had the Scram recently placed on, for a first offense OWI. It's not bad enough that I lost my job as an RN, but now no one will hire me. I eventually tried to commit suicide because of it and ended up in Pine Rest for 7 days. I came out a new person, I felt good about myself and life for the first time in 20 years. i made friends, I was going out, and I was dealing with the years of abuse I suffered. I wasn't even driving the car, a wittness said I was driving, I hate to drink--but I did that day. Now I've cried for 4 straight days because of this tether, it's painful, it gives me severe anxiety attacks, I'm having return nightmares of my abusive past, I again feel worthless and I'm not leaving the house because of it. I think this is the most inhumane device!!
The SCRAM conTRAPtion has opened my eyes to the barbaric nature just beneath the thin veneer of our "civilized" society. It was placed on my leg on Friday and I immediately told the case manager that it was too tight. She refused to loosen it and said it "has to be that way to get accurate reading" and then she said that I would get used to it within three days and not even notice it anymore. It hurt so much and seemed to get tighter and tighter through the day. It was placed on me on a cold morning when I was shivering with cold and anxiety...my blood vessels may have been constricted. By that evening, after a day of walking around and when I got nice and warm in my house, my blood vessels must have expanded to normal blood flow and my legs may have swollen. I was going insane from the panick of knowing that this would be on me for 30 days and that there was no recourse... As hours went by I was developing deep painful red marks and was constantly struggling to adjust it into a better position and to relieve the inescapable pressure, or to lift it from the leg to get some temporary relief. I called the case manager Friday to ask her to loosen it but she said that would be impossible. I kept leaving voicemail messaages for her on Saturday though I knew that their office was closed, to emphasize that I was in constant pain and hoping to be taken seriously. I kept saying "I know that the judge did not intend for this to be physically painful and did not intend cruel and unusual punishment." I eventually left a voicemail for the district manager of the monitoring company and he finally called me back Sat. nite and assured me that the case manager would "probably loosen it if Icalled her on Monday." That gave me some hope to get through the weekend, otherwise I would have probably cut it off and face worse consequences.
When I saw her Monday she said "I'll loosen it one notch even though I'm not supposed to," and she loosened it about 1/4 inch. This was enough to make me very happy for the time, it made such a difference. But even still, it is too tight, and the deep red marks are giving birth to purple marks that have no chance to heal, and I am in pain, and I am worried about long term health problems to my blood vessels and nerves. The clincher was when she said "You know, this is an alternative to jail. It is not supposed to be comfortable." This horrified me beyond any of the physical pain - I could not believe that this nightmare of a case manager could get away with that... The punishment ordered by the judge was home detention, alcohol deprivation, community service, probation - she did not order that the method of alcohol testing should be painful as an additional form of punishment. Yes, the method of testing SHOULD be comfortable...the other punishments are quite sufficient. I did not realize fully how much our society condones physical punishment, but it is clear to me now and i know that my suffering is minor compared to what others are facing and have faced at the hands of our "justice" system and government. It is easy to find examples in our wars on other countries causing generations of grief, our relatively recent period of enslaving people, our treatment of immigrants, our inconsistencies in how we treat the rich and the poor when they are caught with the same drugs in different forms.(cocain and crack), the innocent people on death row who can't afford a lawyer to get them out, and the most vulnerable among us, children, who are so often no stranger to abuse at the hands of the parents who bring them into the world and are supposed to nurture them. No matter how bad a mistake someone makes, no matter how old or young, I do not see it as effective or humane to torture them in any way, physical or psychological. Torture breeds torture.
I am trying to keep things in perspective, to appreciate having the luxury of being at home instead of in jail behind bars, and to realize that I could have killed someone on the night I made the terrible mistake of driving after drinking. My pain is minor compared to what I may have caused others on that night. Perhaps I will get a serious infection after these red marks turn into abrasions, and perhaps my leg will be permanently scarred, or perhaps I will cut the device off and then be sent to jail. I am stunned at this experience, and at how easy it is to lose your rights in this country.
I am glad to have found a site where I can vent about this and perhaps get some feedback and advice.
Hi, my opinion about the tether is that it is kind of a midevil device for punishment in the 21st century. First of all, it is not accurate. I say this, because I was accused of obstructing the tether, which is absolute nonsense and impossible. But as some of us that are wearing this thing for months and are developing bruises and scars, having pains ect.
where are our rights? The House Arrest Contract doesn't tell you anything about that you are going to be marked for good or did I miss something?! I didn't sign anything in the contract that I agree to have a scar! Why not stamping it on our forehead for everyone visible? If this device is so great! Why do they have only active programs in 10 states? If it is so great and accurate than I assume the whole U.S. should have it and beoynd?
To come to the rich and poor. It does make indeed a big difference if you have money or you don't have money. It pushes you more and more into a corner. How are you going to pay for the tether? How am I going to pay for a lawyer? If you don't appear with a lawyer at court you are presented on a butcher block infront of the judge! Period! Why can't they go after the income of an induvidual? It is not only the pain (physically and mentally), fear of is it reading right or not? On top of that you walk away with scars and might end up as a social case. Did I miss anything. Oh yes, I forgot! I am not some ANIMAL and don't want to be treated as such!
About the bacteria build up on the skin. Thank you so much for that also my dearest justice! It is a multiple punishment. I still believe in a natural justice and hope and pray that they will experience injustice within their own families!
This one tops all....Judge orders device attached against medical advice, I am in constant pain and have the ulcerated skin lesions as well as swelling, pain in foot, ankle, calf, knee, thigh, hip up into back, it's a modern day "hobbling" device.....
I'm so glad I finally found a site where people are venting about this inhumane device. I've had mine on for 5 days and want to rip it off. Was sentenced to it for a first time dui and it simply doesn't make any sense to me. The judges that so liberally hand out this punishment should have their heads put in these things for a week. Trust me Arapahoe County, Judge you know who you are, and AMS (maker of this thing), any permanent physical damage and you're going to get a nice lawsuit. I'm going to my doc this week to have her look at it. I'm sure she will not approve. And jail, for a first time offense? I'm not defending my crime but really. Perhaps the police officers should be held accountable for their lying in police reports. I began my dui situation looking at it as a way to make better decisions and give back to the community but now with these headphones bolted to my leg, I'm nothing but angry. Good job lawmakers!
Hi, Iwas just charged with my 3rd owi, the first one 20 years ago. Part of my bond was that I wear this scram tehter. When it was put on I asked if it had to be so tihgt and the girl said yes, but it should lossen up on its own. 15 days later I get a call from them asking if I used anything with Alcohol and I said no she asked if it got sumerged and I said no, but I did take a shower this morning, then she asked if I dried under it and I said no my leg is swollen and I can't get under it, Her response was just dry under it and you should be okay. After work I went there and asked for them to lossen it and the girl squeezes it and mad a sarcastic laugh and sent some one else out and she said so you want it lossened and because of their attitudes I said just switch legs, so she goes to see if it was okay and came back and took it off and said wow it really was on there tight. 3 days later the whole inpression of the tether is still there along with the discolor and the skin is thin and wrinkled.( I am going to my Doctor to see whats up)Even tough I thank full not to be in jail write now I'm pissed on how I have been treated. As an adult (yes I screwed up) I have all this little kids treating me as a joke. Yes Most of the people that work where I go are Like 18 and up.
I chose a SCRAM over a SLEEPTIME, because I was told that if I needed to travel for work that would be the best option. I fortunately only have 20 days of monitoring, but unfortunately chose the SCRAM unit. I was on home monitoring and that device caused a little irritation and pain, but this device is unbelievable. My skin is constantly wet and irritable and the device is so tight that it leaves indentations and causes severe pain. I have been waking up in the middle of the night in pain. On top of it, I don't trust this unit to not give a false positive. I am not drinking or trying to obstruct the thing, but I have heard about it registering false positives from "visiting the gas station", according to the people at the agency. Can't wait til this torture device is off. Thank you for the blog on this damn thing.
hi,I am also on the SCRAM bracelet and went to a group meeting (court ordered) and had it on for 2 days at this point.I was told all types of horror stories about violations from false positive readings and now I'm in a panic.I went home and started looking over things I use that were mentioned to have alcohol and to my surprise my dish detergent had it ! I immediately called my PO 4 times in 2 days and left messages to call me;but had no response.
If they know this is not accurate -why not allow me to take a blood alcohol test to rectify it?Thats what justice is-PROOF-REAL proof! I shouldn't have to worry if I'm obeying the law and doing right!
Is there anything we can do if wrongefully accused? JMB-PA.
Oh Im so doing my homework on this unit. I was convicted of my 3rd dui in the past 20 years. I am also wearing the scram bracelet. Court ordered. I work at a very fast paced food and beverage restaraunt in which I work the service bar. I make all the drinks sent to the dining room. At times during peak dinner hours I can make at times a 100 drinks within an hour time span. The scram unit is showing positive readings stating that Ive been consuming alcohol while Im at work. This is a positive false reading. I am now facing a court hearing for violation of probation. The only time I have a positive false reading is when I clock in at work then stops after I clock out. This is driving me insane because it is not true. Its like Im living a nightmare. Not only have I NEVER had a drink at work even without a bracelet but to even think about jeopardizing me having to go to jail and loosing my job would put me in a class of ludicrous. My probation officer wont even speak to me or listen to anything I have to say but she is making the SCRAM people appear in court that morning. Ive got a new attorney which costs tons along with this bracelet. Ive got testimony from all my managers that Ive worked with stating that Ive NEVER been in violation with any of the stores policies in the past 10 years that Ive worked for them. I also have the interlock system on my car in which I would not be able to start if I had ANY alcohol at all. Im in a panic because Im innocent but having to deal with a company that works through our court systems has me at a loss. Wish me luck and I will get back to you about the results of this case.
Hello !.
You may , probably very interested to know how one can manage to receive high yields .
There is no initial capital needed You may commense to receive yields with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.
AimTrust is what you thought of all the time
The company represents an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.
Its head office is in Panama with structures around the world.
Do you want to become a happy investor?
That`s your choice That`s what you really need!
I`m happy and lucky, I began to take up income with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. If it gets down to choose a proper partner who uses your funds in a right way - that`s AimTrust!.
I earn US$2,000 per day, and my first investment was 500 dollars only!
It`s easy to start , just click this link http://bowunytib.lookseekpages.com/oneqomo.html
and go! Let`s take our chance together to get rid of nastiness of the life
Post a Comment
<< Home