Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases enrollment is completed the same day or the next business day once we have the court order, a verified residence address, and payment arrangements confirmed. Call as soon as release is anticipated and we can pre-clear eligibility so installation happens without delay.

Yes. We serve all twenty-three Maryland counties plus Baltimore City — from Garrett County in the west to Worcester County on the Eastern Shore.

Defense attorneys, courts, pretrial services, treatment providers, reentry programs, family members, and clients themselves can all initiate contact. Actual enrollment on a court-ordered program requires authorization from the court or supervising agency.

No. Free But Not Free is a private monitoring provider. We work with courts and agencies but we are an independent company, not a government office.

GPS monitoring tracks the client's location continuously and can enforce inclusion and exclusion zones. Home detention restricts the client to an approved residence except during court-approved leave windows. Many orders combine both.

Yes, when the order permits it. We verify the employer, the schedule, and the work location, then build approved leave windows into the client's schedule. Employment is one of the strongest arguments for community supervision, and we work hard to protect it.

Approved leave can be scheduled for medical care, counseling, treatment programs, court dates, and meetings with counsel. Requests generally come through counsel or the supervising authority.

Alerts are reviewed by trained staff before any report is issued — equipment faults and signal loss are not treated as violations. Confirmed violations are documented with time stamps and location data and reported to the supervising authority and counsel of record according to the notification protocol in the order.

Call the 24/7 support line immediately. We log the fault, dispatch a technician for replacement, and note the malfunction in the compliance record so the client is not penalized for an equipment issue.

Yes. Ankle devices require regular charging, typically once or twice daily depending on the unit. Charging requirements are covered thoroughly at orientation, and low-battery reminders are part of the program.

Only with explicit court authorization. If travel is approved, tell us in advance so we can adjust the monitoring parameters and document the authorization.

Payment arrangements are confirmed at intake, before installation. We can bill the client, a family member, an attorney, or a sponsoring programme, and flexible payment plans are available. Call (667) 334-8139 to confirm the methods we currently accept and to set up a plan that works for your situation.

Cost depends on the service ordered, the length of supervision, the equipment required and the reporting frequency the court expects. We quote clearly before enrolment and we do not add fees mid-programme. Call (667) 334-8139 with the jurisdiction and the conditions of the order and we will give you a figure.

Talk to us. Flexible payment plans are available and, in some cases, a program or third party may cover part of the cost. Inability to pay in full should not be the reason a person stays in custody.

Either, along with family members or a sponsoring program. We simply need a responsible party identified at intake.

Absolutely. Attorney referrals are welcome and are typically the fastest route to enrollment. Use the referral portal or call directly.

Yes. Family members frequently make the first call. Enrollment still requires the court's authorization, but we can explain exactly what counsel needs to request.

Yes, where required. We can provide compliance affidavits and, when needed, staff testimony regarding monitoring records.

Access is limited to authorized staff, the supervising authority, the court, and counsel of record — consistent with the order and applicable law. See our Privacy Policy.

Monitoring and compliance records are kept for the duration of supervision and then for a further period sufficient to answer post-programme court enquiries, appeals and record requests. Billing records are kept for the period tax and accounting rules require, and website enquiries that do not lead to enrolment are kept only as long as needed to deal with the enquiry. Full detail is in section 9 of our Privacy Policy.