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Release, Detain, or Surveil? The Effect of Electronic Monitoring on Defendant Outcomes

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  • Roman Rivera

Abstract

This paper studies the effect of pretrial electronic monitoring (EM) relative to both pretrial release and pretrial detention (jail). EM often involves a defendant wearing an electronic bracelet, which aims to reduce pretrial misconduct at a low cost. Using the quasi-random assignment of bond court judges, I estimate the effect of EM versus release and EM versus detention on pretrial misconduct, case outcomes, future recidivism, and aggregate total costs. Results indicate that EM reduces overall costs relative to detention. However, EM does not prevent enough high-cost crime to justify its use relative to release.

Suggested Citation

  • Roman Rivera, 2026. "Release, Detain, or Surveil? The Effect of Electronic Monitoring on Defendant Outcomes," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 18(2), pages 299-329, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:18:y:2026:i:2:p:299-329
    DOI: 10.1257/app.20240517
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Devah Pager & Rebecca Goldstein & Helen Ho & Bruce Western, 2022. "Criminalizing Poverty: The Consequences of Court Fees in a Randomized Experiment," American Sociological Review, , vol. 87(3), pages 529-553, June.
    2. Aurélie Ouss & Megan Stevenson, 2023. "Does Cash Bail Deter Misconduct?," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 15(3), pages 150-182, July.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • K14 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Criminal Law
    • K41 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Litigation Process
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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