Intensive Supervision Program - Domestic Violence

In October 2010, we received funding from the Office on Violence Against Women to implement intensive supervision of high risk domestic violence offenders (ISP-DV). The grant was pursued by the local Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and addressed three areas. 1) Law enforcement were to be trained to implement the use of a lethality assessment screen as first responders to a domestic violence incident; 2) Victims determined to be at high risk for continued violence/lethality would be offered the opportunity to begin services immediately with a victim advocate and to enter a shelter if necessary, facilitated by the LE officer; 3) High risk offenders would be placed on an intensive supervision caseload and monitored more closely with additional restrictions in order to reduce recidivism.

The ISP-DV caseload is about half the size of a regular caseload. The offenders are placed on curfew and law enforcement assist us with late evening home checks; all violations are dealt with swiftly, keeping the safety of the victim and community a high priority; offenders are referred to multiple programs for treatment, stability and accountability. Additionally, the ISP-DV parole/probation officer has bi-weekly contact with a victim advocate to discuss the needs and safety of the victim (within confidentiality standards). To date, we have reduced the recidivism rate for domestic violence crimes committed by these offenders to 10%.