New Report Examines Technologies Used to Decide Parole and Probation

Abby Smith, Niyati Narang, Katarina van Alebeek, and Corinne Johnston
(From left) Abby Smith, Niyati Narang, Katarina van Alebeek, and Corinne Johnston

A new report from our Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic examines how fallible surveillance technologies monitoring people on community supervision are relied on to justify revoking parole or probation. Third-year students (pictured, from left) Abby Smith, Niyati Narang, Katarina van Alebeek, and Corinne Johnston co-authored the report with clinical staff attorney Juliana DeVries ’17. It highlights risks caused by inaccurate technological evidence, notes how testing methods for alcohol and drug uses are still evolving, and offers ways for judges, parole boards, and legislators to help achieve fairness.