Intervention programs for batterers have become a mainstay of the criminal justice system’s response to domestic violence perpetration. Dozens of evaluations of such programs have been carried out in the last two decades yet many questions remain about the processes through which these interventions are carried out and their outcomes in terms of criminal recidivism and victim and community safety.

The purpose of this study was to provide an in-depth description of a batterer intervention program provided by a local probation department’s specialized domestic violence unit in conjunction with a community domestic violence agency. Using a combined qualitative and quantitative approach including data from nonparticipant observation, interviews, and case record review, the process and outcomes of service delivery were examined. Results found no program effect in terms of program completion and recidivism for 77 probationers who were sentenced to probation and received intervention services during 2004 and 2005. Analysis revealed that emotion management is a crucial activity of service providers of the intervention. Impression management and narrative theories elucidate the probation experiences of the participants as examined through the stories they tell about themselves.

Policy recommendations include the increased use of motivational techniques in batterer intervention programs, improved data collection by local service providers, and continued research on successful interventions in this field.