NCJ Number
203711
Date Published
June 2003
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from a process and outcome evaluation of a program at the Pocatello Women's Correctional Center (Idaho) that is designed to teach inmates about issues related to domestic violence.
Abstract
Established and operated under a Federal STOP grant since 1995, the objectives of the program are to identify the cycle of domestic violence and victim denial mechanisms; to access community services related to domestic violence; to identify victim rights under Idaho law; to increase awareness of domestic violence and mechanisms for holding batterers accountable for their violence; and to assist victims in taking charge of their lives and breaking generational patterns in abusive relationships. The program lasts 10 weeks and covers topics related to the achievement of the aforementioned objectives. In the evaluation, process objectives were related to whether the components of the program were successfully completed. Outcome measures focused on variables related to the achievement of intended objectives. The evaluation concluded that the domestic violence class has helped the inmates feel they are not alone in having been abused in intimate relationships, and they have received information about what to do if they happen to find themselves in an abusive relationship in the future. From the positive responses on evaluation forms and changes from pretest to posttest, it is apparent that the inmates have learned how to manage their responses in abusive relationships. The evaluation also found that the recidivism of women who have taken the domestic violence class is lower than that of the general population of female inmates (27 percent compared with 34 percent). The evaluation recommends making a clearer connection between the women's criminal behavior and their abusive relationships and then tailoring program emphases to these connections. 13 tables and 7 references