NCJ Number
199012
Date Published
October 2002
Length
193 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and findings of a process and proposed impact evaluation of specialized domestic violence probation projects in the Illinois' counties of Peoria, Sangamon, and Tazewell.
Abstract
All three of the programs provided specially trained domestic-violence probation officers within their probation departments and used more intensive supervision with a selected portion of the domestic-violence caseload. Domestic-violence offenders sentenced to these probation programs were subject to special conditions and special intervention programs. A victim component was incorporated to increase probation officers' contacts with victims in order to better meet their needs. A variety of quantitative and qualitative data-collection strategies were used in the evaluation of the project. Data sources included program documents maintained by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA); case files maintained by the three probation departments' domestic violence units; and interviews with probation program staff, probation administrators, members of the local criminal justice systems, and providers of intervention services who interacted with the probation programs. The research team collected information on individual offenders and on activities during their probation sentences from individual case files. The research team also conducted on-site visits to the three probation departments and to the intervention programs to which probationers were referred. This report provides information on the implementation of the project in each county. Overall, the programs have succeeded in identifying the target population of domestic violence offenders and assigning them to probation officers with specialized domestic violence caseloads; however, many of the specialized officers who were relatively new to probation had not received basic probation training at the time they accepted assignment to the domestic violence unit. Specialized domestic violence probation training should be a supplement to basic training rather than a substitute for it. The probation departments have shown strong administrative support for their domestic violence units, often providing additional resources as caseloads have increased. Each of the programs has encountered some problems with access to information. Recommendations pertain to sentencing and intake, probation conditions, information issues, probation supervision, enforcement issues, staffing, and victim components. The proposed impact evaluation is described. 55 references and appended supplementary forms used in the projects