Interagency Collaboration

Since 1997, the Department of Corrections has been responsible for chairing the Batterers’ Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee, which has statutory authority to establish minimum standards for programs that provide services to court-mandated domestic violence offenders. Most of the work of the Oversight Committee – which includes establishing minimum standards for batterers programs, certifying programs that meet the standards, monitoring and reviewing programs on an on-going basis, and ensuring that adjudicated batterers attend certified programs only – occurs within its sub-committees, staffed by small groups of volunteers. A Review Committee handles the complex and time-consuming process of program monitoring and on-site program observation. A Rules and Standards sub-committee reviews existing standards and the certification process in order to make recommendations for modifications. Any such changes to the standards must first be approved by the Oversight Committee as a whole, then brought to a public hearing, and finally filed with the Secretary of State.

The Department of Corrections has formed partnerships with city and town police departments in the State. The benefits of these partnerships include: a) protecting the public by using the power of their respective line staff in complimentary ways; b) achieving the common goals of crime reduction; c) improving information sharing; and d) allowing for extension of partnership with criminal justice system, community organizations and delivery of services to specific neighborhoods.

The partnerships focus of coordination and collaboration between police and probation/parole in the following areas:

• Information sharing: Police and Probation and Parole have developed procedures for the exchange of information that is of particular interest to both parties. Examples of information exchange include gang activity / affiliation, offenders due to be released, offenders with outstanding warrants.
• Specialized Enforcement: Police, Adult Probation and Parole and other representatives of other community organizations and criminal justice system collaborate to reduce specific problems in communities. Examples include information sharing among these agencies, lowering overall levels of firearms violence by youths, supervision and monitoring of high-risk offenders.
• Enhanced Supervision: These partnerships involve Police and Adult Probation and Parole performing joint supervision of selected offenders who are on probation or parole. Enhanced supervision is utilized on offenders who are deemed high risk and/or may be involved in criminal activity.

Partnerships between Probation & Parole and local law enforcement currently exist statewide.

Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) and Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) established the Domestic Violence Critical Case Review Team (DVCCRT) in 2003. DVCCRT changed format in 2013, basing the current process on the Domestic Violence High Risk Team Model created by the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center in Newbury, MA.

The DVCCRT identifies dangerous cases based on past incidents of abuse and know risk factors. Factors used to assess the offender as high risk include information from victims, police, advocates, court and/or current criminal charges and the Danger Assessment developed by Jacquelyn Campbell.

The Danger Assessment is a series of 20 questions about the offender's current and past violent behavior. The answers are then used to score the offender into four categories; variable danger, increased danger, severe danger and extreme danger.

Case referrals come from police departments, RIDOC, Attorney General's Office, DCYF and Advocacy Services. Once an offender has been brought to the attention of the Team, an assessment is performed and a case file is created for discussion at the next DVCCRT meeting. The Team discusses the options for action on each case. Team member(s) then volunteer to complete the action items prior to the next meeting. Each case selected for a plan will be followed through at each meeting and plans are adjusted according to need. All cases referred continue to be tracked up to and including post-disposition and post-release.

For information on the Domestic Violence Critical Case Team and/or to make a case referral contacts:

Elizabeth Cunha, Probation & Parole Officer

J. Joseph Garrahy Judicial Complex

One Dorrance Plaza

Providence, RI  02903

Phone: (401)458-3043

Fax: (401)453-6840

Elizabeth.cunha@doc.ri.gov

Our Transitional Service Unit, which is currently under the purview of Adult Probation and Parole, works with inmates beginning nine months pre-release (may be later depending on time sentenced) to assist them with their needs for reentry.  The Community Corrections Assessment Analysts (CCAs), also known as discharge planners, complete a reentry plan with the inmate.  They work to provide such things as processing applications for State IDs, health insurance, SNAP enrollment, voter registration, social security card replacements and, if time allows, copies of birth certificates.  This unit also provides some post release services in conjunction with the Probation and Parole Officers.  There are also several Specialized Discharge Planners for medical discharges, gang associated youthful offenders, mental health, Crossroads (sex offenders) and substance abuse.

Regional office supervisors/staff work with local agencies, community leaders, and police departments that support case management of offenders being supervised on probation and released from prison.  Each area differs in representation but all areas are involved in projects. 

Informational forums are held with inmates preparing for release within sixty days.  These forums are held by our Institutional Probation Officer along with other staff members.  Items of discussion include conditions of probation, travel policies, probation and parole financial obligations, offender fees and early termination.  Upon leaving the forums, the inmates are aware of the office to which their case is assigned and, often, their Probation Officer's name and telephone number.

There is one Probation and Parole Officer assigned to this position.  This person is responsible for keeping records of all RIDOC volunteers and interns, making sure paperwork is updated and that volunteers/interns are screened and trained prior to entering our facilities.  They are also responsible for determining the unit's training needs, conducting trainings, coordinating training activities with local educators and specialists in pertinent fields and evaluating the effectiveness of the training programs.  

The Institutionally-Based Probation & Parole Officer position was created 2012. This position was created to implement strategies for the rehabilitation and transition of offenders to the community; to apply probation/parole laws, policies and procedures to case management practice, treatment planning and referral of offenders to rehabilitation programs; to assist offenders in the successful transition to the community through referral to community-based resources for services such as housing, employment, mental health, substance abuse and educational/training services. To provide case management services to offenders being released from the ACI, conduct investigations and compile reports as needed; to coordinate services with RIDOC Transitional Service Unit and community intake services; to maintain case records; to be familiar with and implement agency policies and procedures; to be responsible for the day-to-day management of offenders (transition in the community) on probation or parole; to coordinate and engage in community-based partnerships with law enforcement and services providers; to conduct facility-based activities (e.g. forums, in-service trainings) on working with such offenders being released from RIDOC and/or at the high risk of incarceration. 

The goal of the Rhode Island Drug Court is to provide intensive supervised treatment for non-violent drug offenders as an alternative to incarceration. The Department of Corrections in conjunction with Providence Superior Court, BHDDH, Substance Abuse Providers, Attorney General's Office and Public Defender's Office comprise the Drug Court Team. In 2004, this program was expanded to allow for expansion of the Drug Court to Kent County Courthouse, Washington County Courthouse and Newport. Case management responsibilities include: a) providing a bridge between the treatment system and the criminal justice system; b) ensuring that offenders meet the criminal justice requirements and treatment requirements of drug court and c) providing information to the courts regarding participants progress in the program (case reviews).