The Home Arrest format has been in existence in Missoula County for over 17 years. It is residential confinement program and as such, an alternative to secure detention, which tracks clients 24 hours per day, 7 days per week utilizing both conventional (human supported) and electronic monitoring augmented technology. Clients are referred to the program by District Court Judges and Probation Officers on a wide array of charges. 

Random, daily contact is made by means of telephonic and visual verification checks. Officers in the program write reports, attend requisite meetings, and confer with a number of agencies in the juvenile justice arena. The bottom line for all violations of Home Arrest is jail. 

The program exists as a viable, cost effect alternative to juvenile incarceration.

A. Definition

1. Home Arrest is defined as the court ordered placement of juveniles under the direct supervision of court appointed officers for the purpose of 24 hour surveillance. 
   

2. Electronic Monitoring/GPS is defined as the court ordered supervision of juvenile offenders by means of electronic surveillance devices. 

B. Outline of Purpose

The primary intent of the program is to allow the juvenile to remain within the setting of his/her own household or a court directed alternative household under the direct supervision of Home Arrest Program personnel while awaiting judicial proceedings.

The juvenile is contacted on a random, daily basis by program officers via telephone and an average of one face to face contact per day. Peripherally, the program also aids the Juvenile Probation Officers and related court services by tendering information which may at times be crucial as regards a youth's individual case.

C. Objectives

The programs major objectives are as follows:

1. Achieve compliance with the federal mandate pertaining to juvenile jail removal issues
2. Provide a systematic, viable, and cost effective alternative for detaining juvenile charges
3. Establish a liaison between the Court/Juvenile Probation Office and the youth held under Home Arrest supervision
4. Facilitate the opening of effective channels of communication between the parent/guardian and the juvenile

For Further Information, Contact:

Murray Pierce, Director
Missoula Youth Court
Community Supervision Programs
311 Woody Street
Missoula, Montana 59802
(406) 523-4735

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