Improving Domestic Violence Responses in Rhode Island
The second round of JRI in 2015 targeted a probation rate that
was the second highest in the nation.
Three of the JRI bills enacted in 2017 provide the foundation for the current domestic violence systems
assessment project:
HB 5065 and HB 5117: Modernize probation and parole policies and practices, including judicial decision-making
related to supervision.
HB5065: Address Batterer Intervention Programming (BIP) practices.
In 2019, CSG Justice Center staff responded to RIDOC's request to
assess batterers intervention programming (BIP).
Despite Rhode Island's progress in improving programming consistency, oversight, and standardization
to address domestic violence, systemic challenges were noted.
Systemic challenges include inconsistent practices of conducting risk and need assessments, a lack of differentiated
programming based on risk and need, varying curriculum and facilitation without adherence to best practice, and
reliance on self-report data from participants.
Assessment recommendation: Examine system responses and develop improved practices.
The Council of State Governments Justice Center, Assessment of Rhode Island Batterer Intervention Programs (New York: The Council
of State Governments Justice Center, 2019), internal report.
The Council of State Governments Justice Center | 21View entire presentation