The offenders check in to test and enter their personal ID number, based upon their initial baseline test, which is a "clean" or drug-free test. This baseline establishes the unique data that positively identifies offenders each time they test, with no chance of faking their identity. The person looks into a machine and observes a series of 30-second light displays which measure "nystagmus" or eye movement, which indicates specific categories of drugs.
Parole and Probation Chief Amy Wright expressed optimism about the future use of PassPoint, "The potential benefits of this technology come down to dollars and cents. We have an opportunity to save incredible amounts of staff time and money, as the system does not require an officer standing in a bathroom waiting for an offender to urinate into a cup. The offender can be in and out in about 10 minutes versus over an hour for a urine test."
The Montgomery County and Jefferson County drug courts in Texas have successfully used PassPoint with an 85 to 90 percent reduction in the urinalysis load. Nationally over one million screens have been performed since 2000, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually while increasing offender supervision and public safety.
