Smart Start

Smart Start Inc. Launches New Home Alcohol Monitoring Device to Address Stricter Legislation for Alcohol-Related Crimes;

IN-HOM™ Product Now Available to Jurisdictions Nationwide  

Dallas, TX –November 29, 2011 –Addressing state legislators’ recent push toward stricter penalties for alcohol-related offenses, leading ignition interlock provider Smart Start, Inc. has broadened its mix of products and services with the introduction of “SMART START IN-HOM®” breath alcohol-monitoring system.  Proving its viability, more than 6,000 Smart Start IN-HOM® units have been deployed in test markets of Texas and Michigan in the past year.  IN-HOM™ devices are now available to jurisdictions and DUI/DWI programs nationwide.

Weighing less than 3 pounds, Smart Start’s IN-HOM™ device utilizes alcohol-specific fuel-cell technology to ensure testing accuracy.  As an alternative to continuous alcohol monitoring, each device is programmable to accommodate up to 10 test windows per day as dictated by the monitoring authority.  Each unit is camera equipped for positive photo identification.

IN-HOM is a more affordable, portable and less obtrusive alternative to other sobriety-monitoring options.  No straps, ankle bracelets, phone lines or base stations are utilized.  The device’s ease of use means minimal training is needed for either the monitoring authority or offender.   As with all Smart Start products and services, IN-HOM is supported by an industry-leading 24/7 Customer Support Center staffed with knowledgeable, bilingual agents.

Easy to deploy and setup, IN-HOM units only require a standard electrical outlet to operate.  They are single, self-contained devices. Neither a base station nor phone line is required.  IN-HOM provides offenders with the utmost in flexibility in complying with court-ordered alcohol monitoring … whether at home, at work or on vacation.

Smart Start Chief Executive Officer Lamar Ball said, “Our IN-HOM device should quickly become the alcohol-monitoring solution of choice by traffic safety advocates and judicial authorities around the country because it’s a low-cost alternative that is easy to deploy, easy to use, programmable and portable.

“Alcohol-related offenses have created backlogs in courts and have been a major contributor to jail and prison over-crowding,” Smart Start’s Ball continued. “Our IN-HOM™ monitoring devices offer judges, probation officers, attorneys and corrections agencies an affordable alternative to imprisonment or other more expensive forms of alcohol monitoring. IN-HOM devices enable offenders to live productive lives while being closely monitored for sobriety conditions.”

Smart Start also announced the availability of its new cellular version of the device,  “SMART START IN-HOM® CELLULAR.” With cellular connectivity, alcohol breath test reports are automatically transmitted daily to the monitoring authority from any location that has a standard cell signal.  There is no need for the offender to have a cell phone or landline telephone.

Smart Start’s IN-HOM® alcohol monitoring devices have multiple anti-circumvention features. Offenders can easily conduct their daily routines while complying with scheduled breath tests from virtually any location.  IN-HOM™ devices fit easily into a backpack or briefcase, allowing greater measures of portability, privacy and ease of use.

The daily cost of the IN-HOM™ Standard unit is less than $3.50 per day, while IN-HOM™ Cellular costs less than $5 per day.  SMART START IN-HOM devices are clearly a cost-effective monitoring solution for offenders who:

• Don’t own an automobile
• Have a revoked or suspended license
• Are on bond
• Are on probation
• Need an alternative to incarceration
• Are under home arrest
• Need a supplement to ignition interlock
• Need a level of continuous monitoring that is less obtrusive than other available options

IN-HOM™ CELLULAR reports are automatically transmitted once daily from any location with a cellular signal. The IN-HOM™ STANDARD unit requires the end user to visit any of Smart Start’s 900 service centers to download data at intervals designated by the monitoring authority.

All reports are easy to read, customizable, provide alerts on violations, and include breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) test results, time and date of breath tests (including missed tests), and photos of the individual taking the test.

Commenting on Smart Start’s IN-HOM system, Judge Tracy Holmes, who, in addition to her regular docket in the 363rd Criminal District Court in Dallas County, presides over a felony DWI specialty court, said, "The Smart Start IN- HOM device is a useful tool in monitoring those offenders who do not own a vehicle or may need additional daily monitoring as part of their program participation."  Typically, IN-HOM users have been convicted of an alcohol-related crime, DUI, DWI, domestic violence, or are on probation or parole. Well known since 1993 for its breath alcohol ignition interlock devices (BAIIDs), Smart Start designs, engineers and manufacturers all of its devices in the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas, area.  Smart Start is an industry leader in alcohol monitoring technology in the U.S. and also serves clients in Europe and Australia.Monitoring authorities, private probation, rehabilitation offices, offenders and attorneys can call 1-800-880-3394 for information and/or enrollment.

Privately held Smart Start, Inc. is a leader in alcohol monitoring through its ignition interlock and in-home alcohol testing devices.  It provides fully integrated services encompassing design, manufacturing, installation, customer service, monitoring and administrative support.  A leading global supplier of alcohol monitoring devices since its creation in 1993, Smart Start is headquartered in Irving, Texas, and offers its services and products through 900 company-owned and franchised locations nationwide, as well as outside the U.S. in Europe and Australia.  800.880.3394
Smart Start® saves lives by Separating Drinking From Driving®

NOTE TO EDITORS:  Additional photos available upon request.

Smart Start®, SMART START IN-HOM®, SMART START IN-HOM STANDARD®, SMART START IN-HOM CELLULAR®, IN-HOM™, Separating Drinking From Driving™ , and SETTING THE STANDARD IN ALCOHOL MONITORING TECHNOLOGY ^sm are registered trademarks of Smart Start, Inc.