NCJ Number
90782
Journal
Revue internationale de criminologie et de police technique Volume: 34 Issue: 4 Dated: (October-December 1981) Pages: 385-398
Date Published
1981
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the concept of restitution, describes community service programs in Quebec, Canada, and assesses the possibilities for victim involvement in this type of programing.
Abstract
Restitutional sentences involve an offender's making good the damages caused by his crime -- either as monetary repayment to the victim or the community or as symbolic repayment (i.e., service work) to benefit the victim or the community. Community service exists in Quebec as a probation condition. The provincewide program is currently undergoing evaluation to determine if community service is meeting the objectives of providing a sentencing alternative to incarceration, an opportunity to repair damages in a socially productive way for the offender, and an occasion to actively involve the community in criminal justice procedures. The evaluation will also assess the effectiveness of the community service experience in contributing to offenders' sense of responsibility and rehabilitation goals. Among the criticisms of the Quebec program is that it does not provide for the option of direct restitution to the victim. Considerations regarding victim participation include informing victims of the progress and outcome of their case and including victims in the decisionmaking regarding specifics of the restitutional sentence. A table, a photograph, and 25 references are given.