SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring)

Picture taken: 2008
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SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring) ankle monitor. Used for high-risk, hardcore DUI and alcohol offenders.

The judge told me “Mr. DeVoto, you have a drinking problem” and ordered that I not be released from County Jail until the SCRAM bracelet was placed on my ankle. The bracelet vibrated and tested for alcohol in my sweat every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I had proven myself completely untrustworthy to not drink alcohol if left to my own devices... and rightfully so.

I was scared sober while I wore the bracelet, scared dry. “Dry” meaning I didn’t drink but I was counting down the days until I could again. I showed up to court on a separate case in a different county and was arrested on the spot. The ankle bracelet was removed at that time.

Looking at this picture, I feel grateful. I feel grateful that I’m no longer court ordered to plug my ankle device into a computer every week. Plug in to have them upload the data of over 350 alcohol tests from the last seven days. All to determine whether I could keep my freedom.

I wasn’t trusted in society without being monitored 24/7. Now I’m a father, responsible for raising a baby girl into a woman. How could I not be grateful? Life is a fucking blessing!