Score: +1 (1/0/0)
Ventura County Grand Jury • 2004-2005

Court Ordered Anger Management Classes

Published: June 29, 2005 6 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 23 findings

F01
VCPA prepares a report for the court’s information in domestic violence cases that is used after a conviction to provide the judge with sentencing recommendations.
No recommendations for this finding
F02
This report is prepared by VCPA after a preliminary risk assessment of the defendant as to the appropriateness of a probation sentence. As part of the assessment the defendant’s substance abuse history, prior criminal and prison history, and results of an interview with the defendant are considered.
No recommendations for this finding
F03
If probation is indicated, the report recommends certain terms and conditions. These typically include one year of domestic violence counseling, certain fees, community service work and protective terms for the victim. If substance abuse was indicated in the crime, recommendations for drug testing, alcohol testing and abstinence from drugs and alcohol are also included. Probation Supervision
No recommendations for this finding
F04
After sentencing, the defendant is instructed to go to the VCPA office to sign up for the various ordered programs, including the domestic violence group therapy.
No recommendations for this finding
F05
A list of approved providers of domestic violence classes is given to the defendant, from which he or she chooses the one he or she wishes to attend. There are four approved providers in Ventura County with treatment locations in Camarillo, Newbury Park, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Ventura.
No recommendations for this finding
F06
VCPA’s general handling of cases is described as setting up an initial visit in order to go over the terms and conditions of probation, seeing the client monthly to check compliance, visiting the client’s home, possible search of the home and the collection of proof of compliance with the terms and conditions of probation.
No recommendations for this finding
F07
VCPA’s description of the anger management counseling is that it consists of a 52 week course in 55 weeks (up to 3 absences allowed). The group sessions last 1-1/2 to 2 hours, once a week.
No recommendations for this finding
F08
Probation officers never attend any of the sessions as the treatment providers find it disruptive.
No recommendations for this finding
F09
VCPA views defendants as being capable of making a complaint to their probation officer if there is a problem with a treatment provider. Approval Process for Treatment Providers and Programs
No recommendations for this finding
F10
California state law governs treatment provider criteria and protocol and is contained in Penal Code sections 1203.097 and 1203.098. Examples of the criteria are that classes must be group settings, two hours long, limited to 15 per group, have a specified curriculum and no victim is to be part of the counseling program.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
VCPA has sole authority to approve a treatment provider and approval must be renewed annually.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Provider approval is sought by the completion of a written application describing the treatment program, demonstrating the ability to administer and operate a batterer’s program, and documenting at least one year’s experience. The application process also includes an on-site review of the program and the payment of approval fees.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
VCPA has sole authority to deny, suspend or revoke approval for reasons such as violation of the penal code or misrepresenting any material fact alleged in the approval process.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Approval is an accreditation process and does not result in a contract between the county and the provider.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Each program must reapply yearly for approval by submitting an approval application, paying the fee and providing documentary support.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
Standards and Guidelines directs VCPA as follows in the monitoring of group sessions: VCPA shall conduct a site monitoring of at least one batterer’s group session, per program. The selection of the group and date shall be within the discretion of VCPA and may be unannounced. At the determination of VCPA, additional sessions of the same group may be monitored, all groups offered by the program may be monitored, or only selected sessions may be monitored. This determination shall be within the discretion of VCPA. VCPA shall record the observations in a written report on a uniform document and shall determine program compliance with these standards based upon observations and report. Program Content
No recommendations for this finding
F17
The California Penal Code directs that the anger management program content focus on education about gender roles, socialization, the nature of violence, the dynamics of power and control, and the effects of abuse on victims and children.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
Program content challenges attitudes that promote the use of violence, i.e., the belief that one is entitled to control the activities of another, rigid sex role stereotypes, gender superiority and privilege, attitudes which restrict the show of emotions, or the belief that aggression can be used to enforce privilege and authority.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
Program content promotes the following ideas: respect for the equal rights of partners in a relationship, the belief in human equality in society, an awareness of the costs of abusive behavior and empathy for the victim’s experiences. VCPA’s Authority and Responsibility
No recommendations for this finding
F20
VCPA investigates every complaint it receives about providers. The investigations include interviewing the complaining party and other clients.
No recommendations for this finding
F21
VCPA would have investigated this complaint if they had received it. They rely on clients to make such a complaint to their supervising probation officer.
No recommendations for this finding
F22
Senior deputy probation officers make provider site visits. The visits are usually only during the approval process and are scheduled. Visits could be made at other times but due to time constraints they probably are not made.
Related Recommendations (1)
R01
VCPA should develop a tighter policy of monitoring providers with random unannounced site visits at times other than during the approval process. (C-01 thru C-04)
F23
VCPA is developing a different policy regarding the purging of client files to ensure that records will be retained for an appropriate period of time before being destroyed. Conclusions C-01. It is unreasonable to expect that a defendant, court-ordered into a program and dependent on the provider to report compliance, would complain to the VCPA about unethical behavior on the part of the provider. (F-09, F-21) C-02. Unethical or coercive behavior on the part of a provider could undermine the potential benefits of the treatment for the defendants. (F-17 thru F-19) C-03. Program providers are accountable to VCPA. (F-11, F-13 thru F-16) C-04. Random unannounced site visits to groups would serve to preserve the integrity of the programs. (F-08, F-16) C-05. In the interest of preserving important information, the VCPA has begun to develop new purge criteria for deceased client files. (F-23) Recommendations
Related Recommendations (1)
R02
VCPA should provide the Grand Jury a copy of the revised purge policy upon its approval by its executive staff. (C-05) Response Requested Ventura County Probation Agency (R-01, R-02) (This page intentionally left blank)

Conclusions 1

Agency Responses 3

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.