Montana
Cascade County Treatment Courts Address Alcohol Offenses With Compassion and Technology
97.4%
Sobriety Compliance Rate
$2.1M
in Grant Funding Secured
105
Active Participants
Montana
Sobriety Compliance Rate
in Grant Funding Secured
Active Participants
In the heart of Big Sky Country, Cascade County has built Montana's largest drug treatment court program by combining comprehensive supervision with a compassionate, treatment-focused approach. District Judge Gregory G. Pinski leads a team that addresses the serious challenges created by drug and alcohol abuse, including DUIs, criminal recidivism, unemployment, and homelessness.
SCRAM Systems provides the electronic monitoring foundation that makes this program possible. Through a combination of SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM CAM), SCRAM Remote Breath, and SCRAM GPS, Cascade County delivers supervision appropriate for the severity of each offense while scaling monitoring needs based on compliance or violations.
The results speak for themselves: program data shows that 97.4% of SCRAM CAM clients remain sober and compliant, while 94% of Remote Breath tests are taken on time and passed. This technology-driven approach allows participants to remain in their community, maintain employment, and receive the treatment they need while ensuring public safety.
“Montana is one of the highest states for DUIs and we often have felony DUI cases that we're focused on. Alcohol remains the most commonly abused drug and almost everyone who comes into our drug court and veterans court is placed on alcohol monitoring for at least 90 days.”
“Our ability to put people on GPS monitoring is such a motivating compliance tool for the participants in our program.”
Montana consistently ranks among the highest states for DUI offenses. Cascade County faces a steady stream of felony DUI cases that require intensive supervision and treatment to address underlying alcohol use disorders and protect community safety.
Prior to 2013, Cascade County utilized electronic monitoring infrequently due to cost constraints. Without adequate funding, the county could not provide the level of supervision necessary to support treatment court participants effectively.
The treatment courts serve a wide range of populations, including adults, veterans, juveniles, and Native American participants. Each group presents unique circumstances that require flexible monitoring solutions. For example, veterans on National Guard duty cannot wear ankle bracelets due to combat boot requirements.
Treatment court participants often face multiple challenges beyond substance use, including mental health conditions, unemployment, and homelessness. Effective supervision must balance accountability with support for participants working to rebuild their lives.
Ensure participants remain alcohol and drug free throughout the 12–18 month program through continuous monitoring and regular testing. Nearly all clients with a felony DUI or alcohol use disorder are automatically placed on alcohol monitoring for at least 90 days.
Maintain community safety while allowing participants to remain in their homes and communities. Electronic monitoring deters reoffending and provides immediate accountability for violations.
Help participants address mental health issues, find safe housing, and maintain employment. The program's five phases include weekly meetings with probation officers, treatment groups, mental health appointments, and judicial reviews.
Cascade County utilizes a comprehensive suite of SCRAM monitoring solutions to provide flexible, effective supervision for treatment court participants.
SCRAM CAM provides 24/7 transdermal alcohol testing, automatically detecting and documenting any drinking events. Nearly all clients with a felony DUI or alcohol use disorder are placed on continuous monitoring. Anyone who relapses during the program is immediately placed back on SCRAM CAM to ensure accountability and support recovery.
SCRAM Remote Breath offers a flexible alternative for participants who cannot wear an ankle bracelet. Veterans on National Guard duty, for example, can use Remote Breath testing instead of SCRAM CAM due to combat boot requirements. If participants miss scheduled tests, the court can transition them to continuous monitoring.
SCRAM GPS helps prosecutors manage offenders and conduct more extensive program screening. Location monitoring serves as a powerful compliance tool, with participants averaging 50 days of GPS monitoring and options extending up to 180 days. Simply knowing they are being monitored helps deter participants from making poor choices.
Cascade County's treatment courts have achieved measurable success through the strategic use of electronic monitoring and comprehensive treatment services:
The program has earned significant community support, receiving grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and annual allocations from the local United Way ranging from $20,000 to $40,000. This public and private investment recognizes the courts' value and the positive outcomes achieved.
Cascade County demonstrates how the right combination of monitoring technology, grant funding, and compassionate treatment can transform outcomes for high-risk, high-need participants. We help courts and agencies efficiently and effectively manage client compliance while supporting community supervision and participant recovery.
Note: Specific recidivism reduction data was not available in the source materials for this case study.