Domestic Violence Offender Supervision

In 2005, we began a collaborative approach to supervision of domestic violence offenders, using a model derived from our successful sex offender supervision team. The domestic violence team consists of the specialized parole/probation officers (PPO), the approved Batterer Intervention (BIP) and domestic violence treatment providers, victim advocates from Saving Grace and the DA’s office, a child welfare caseworker, a deputy district attorney and several polygraph examiners. The treatment programs are required to abide by Oregon statute and administrative rules which regulate every aspect of treatment, from group size to curriculum to successful completion requirements, all focusing on victim safety.

Local judges have been encouraged to impose a special domestic violence conditions when sentencing these offenders; the same conditions imposed by the Parole Board when an offender is released from prison with current conviction or a history of similar crimes. The package can include: 1) Participate in and comply with a domestic violence intervention program as directed by the PPO; 2) Submit to polygraph examinations as directed by the PPO to determine compliance with special conditions and treatment; 3) Do not enter into an intimate relationship with any person without the prior permission of the PPO; 4) Do not use or possess alcohol; and 5) Have no contact with the victim until approved in writing by the PPO. In order for an offender to receive permission for contact with a victim, a detailed safety plan is required, completed at the request of the victim with rules to assist in victim safety, and approved by both the PPO and treatment provider.

The number of offenders we supervise for domestic violence-related offenses has increased  over the past several years; from a low of 75 in mid-2005 to almost 300 in mid-2011, with a current population of approximately 215 offenders.