Did the California Domestic Violence Pilot Program Improve Criminal Justice Outcomes?

• In Event: Reforming Community Corrections: Effectiveness, Equity, and Innovation

Abstract

For decades California required all counties to implement the same batterer's intervention program for people convicted of domestic violence and sentenced to probation. In January 2019, the state implemented a domestic violence pilot program in six counties. This pilot allowed counties to tailor the programmatic composition and the dosage of interventions based on the risks and needs of people on supervision. This study draws on data from three of the pilot counties and the California Department of Justice to evaluate the effects of the reform on criminal justice outcomes. Findings from this study will help to inform the California legislature's decision to expand the pilot to more counties.

Authors

• Mia Bird, University of California, Berkeley

• Viet Nguyen, Center for Justice Innovation