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 Virginia, a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) device may be used as a condition of bond or probation for individuals charged with or convicted of DUI/DWI offenses. The device is designed to monitor an individual's alcohol consumption by measuring the perspiration on their skin, which can be indicative of blood alcohol content. If a court orders the use of a SCRAM, it is typically to ensure that the individual abstains from alcohol as part of their pre-trial release or probationary terms. Tampering with or attempting to remove the SCRAM device can result in penalties, as such actions are detected and reported by the monitoring service. In some cases, individuals may voluntarily agree to wear a SCRAM to demonstrate their commitment to sobriety and potentially mitigate the severity of their sentence. The use of SCRAM devices is governed by Virginia's state statutes and regulations pertaining to DUI/DWI offenses and the conditions of pre-trial release or probation.