Some Virginia school students use electronic monitors

Teen ankle monitorPhoto byWREG video screenshot

Teenagers wearing ankle monitors in schools has increased

WDBJ 7 reported that a 14-year-old Rocky Mount girl who was missing was wearing an ankle monitor that had been intentionally removed so she could no longer be tracked. She is believed to be with relatives in Roanoke County.

In 2015, WFMYNews. reported that the number of teenagers who are wearing ankle monitors had doubled.

Autistic Virginai teens cam have monortering devices.Photo byAnnie SprattonUnsplash

Students who break the law and those who are Autistic might wear monitors

Kesha C, a former home advocate for Autistic children in the Roanoke Valley, says monitors are not just for children who break the law. She said children on the Autism spectrum may wear ankle monitors if they are prone to wandering, which is part of their condition and is known as elopement.

Some Autistic students wear tracking devices around their waists, per Pathfinder. NBC reported that a New York couple had to fight for the right for their two autistic sons who were prone to wandering to be able to wear monitors in school.

+Neil D. who graudated from a Virginia high school in 2005, Mike L who worked in an alternative school in Roanoke County and Rena M who currently works in the Virginia school systems.

They all told me that ankle monitors for students is quite normal. I was advised that there is one type of devise for those who are prone to running away and another for those minors who have broken the law. Henrico County Virginia describes the system this way.

The Detention Outreach / Electronic Monitoring programs serve as alternatives to Secure Detention and allows children charged with certain non-violent crimes to remain at home until court. A Detention Outreach Worker is assigned to each child placed in the program by the court. The Detention Outreach Worker meets with the child on outreach at least every other day and provides support to keep the child out of further trouble until the current case is resolved.