An alcohol ankle monitor—also known as a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor)—is an ankle bracelet consisting of two small boxes secured by a strap and worn 24 hours a day. A SCRAM monitors perspiration on the skin for alcohol content—similar to the way a breathalyzer test measures blood alcohol concentration. A SCRAM is tamper-resistant and if a person attempts to remove or tamper with it, the tampering will be detected and reported through the remote monitoring service.

A person who is out of jail on bond awaiting a DUI/DWI trial may be ordered to wear a SCRAM. And a person who has been convicted of a DUI/DWI criminal offense may be ordered to wear a SCRAM for some period of time—as a condition of probation, for example. A person convicted of a DUI/DWI criminal offense may also volunteer to wear a SCRAM in an effort to reduce the severity of the sentence.

In Massachusetts, a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) device may be used as a condition of bail, probation, or parole for individuals charged with or convicted of DUI/DWI offenses. The use of SCRAM is typically ordered by a judge and is intended to monitor the individual's alcohol consumption by measuring the alcohol content in their perspiration. If the individual attempts to tamper with or remove the SCRAM device, it will be detected and reported, which could result in legal consequences such as revocation of bail or probation. Additionally, some individuals may voluntarily choose to wear a SCRAM device to demonstrate sobriety and potentially mitigate the severity of their sentence. The specific conditions under which a SCRAM device is mandated or allowed, and the consequences for tampering with it, are governed by Massachusetts state statutes and the discretion of the court handling the DUI/DWI case.