Source: prisonerswithchildren.org 3/25/25
Being released from incarceration was supposed to be a step toward freedom, but the reality of wearing an ankle monitor made it feel like another form of imprisonment. The heavy, restrictive device clamped around my ankle was more than just an inconvenience—it was painful, physically damaging, and emotionally degrading.
One of the first issues I encountered was the physical harm caused by the monitor. The device was bulky, and with every step, it rubbed against my skin. Within days, painful blisters formed, making walking difficult. The irritation worsened as sweat and movement caused the raw skin to break open, leading to infections and constant discomfort. No amount of padding or repositioning seemed to help—this was a device designed for control, not for the well-being of the person wearing it.
Beyond the physical damage, wearing the monitor in public spaces was humiliating. People stared, some with curiosity, others with judgment. I could feel their assumptions: criminal, dangerous, untrustworthy. Every time I stepped outside, I was marked—not by my actions, not by my character, but by this visible sign of surveillance. It reinforced the idea that even after release, society still saw me as someone who had to be controlled. The psychological toll of this was heavy, making it harder to reintegrate, find employment, and simply exist without shame.
When I was released from prison onto parole, I had to wear an ankle monitor. It was snug enough where it didn’t rub. Charging was a pain due to the fact if I moved wrong the cord would fall off due to the magnets not being that strong. I wore jeans and larger socks all the time to hide it.
It was a relief to get it taken off at the end of my parole. I was shocked that my parole officer was on vacation when I went in. Found out he had no worries about me. I asked myself, then why the monitor after the first month.
Ankle monitors need to go. It stops nothing. It achieves nothing. I continued to be amazed in this day and age that people still don’t understand or care about actual, real attempts at rehabilitation. They would rather do nothing and continue risk to the community. It really is not difficult. Hold to account, absolutely. Offer help, a must. It may not always work, but is the best shot we’ve got.
Yep, those are days I don’t like to remember. Wisconsin DOC required me to wear one for 3 years. The first model couldn’t keep the charge for more than 10 hours, so I had to pre-plan my day around the ankle monitor due to my limitation of not having a car. That meant only 1 city bus trip to the grocery store and back. If I was out longer, I carried my charger, but finding an outlet was difficult. I was banned from libraries & other public facilities where kiddies congregated. Sometimes coffee shops worked out, but I had to be very discreet that no one saw my bracelet. The most difficult problem was medical & physical therapy appointments. I had to call the monitoring service to meet me at the medical facilty to disconnect my bracelet for X-rays and other procedures. When I wore my bracelet to PT, I noticed my therapist started treating me differently after a week. Something told me she got on the computer and found out my status, because bracelets mean S.O. to people in Wisconsin. However, it’s kind of a badge of honor living in the hood. But I don’t think folks figured me a common criminal. They probably thought I was just another O.G. who got f*cked over by Wisconsin laws. That’s how those cheeseheads roll in that state.
Had to wear mine the whole time while on parole. Charging wire would break, the battery would stop taking a charge, called in the middle of the night by the monitoring company to go outside up to 10 minutes so they could get a reading, showers short out the device several times.
The police knew about all these problems. Most of the time I didn’t even know there was an issue until they showed up…which could be anytime day or night.
Couldn’t get a job with it on. At least where I lived.
The embarrassment was certainly real. I pretty much isolated myself from the world.
That was about a decade ago, but the experience lingers still.
Again what about those family and friends that are wanting to be with their loved one…These devices stigmatize them as well. have an Apple I Tag on my dog and I am sure Apple could come up with a similar device that would be less intrusive and serve the same purpose as the ankle monitor. But again law enforcement don’t want to encourage or be proactive. To anyone.
I’d like a tracking device on our politicians to monitor them 24/7. How many of them could walk straight and narrow?