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 Rhode Island, a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) device may be used as a condition of bail, probation, or sentencing in DUI/DWI cases. The device is designed to monitor an individual's alcohol consumption through skin perspiration and is worn around the ankle. If a court orders the use of a SCRAM device, it typically means the individual must wear it continuously and avoid any alcohol consumption. Tampering with or attempting to remove the SCRAM device can result in penalties, as such actions are detected and reported by the monitoring service. Additionally, some individuals may voluntarily choose to wear a SCRAM device to demonstrate sobriety and potentially mitigate the severity of their sentence. The use of SCRAM devices is governed by state statutes and regulations, and the specific conditions under which they are applied can vary based on the circumstances of the DUI/DWI offense and the discretion of the court.