NCJ Number
131766
Date Published
1990
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This report describes a study which assessed the feasibility of taking deductions from income support from persons to pay fines for fined offenders.
Abstract
The study was based on a sample of 671 people who were receiving income support and who were fined at 3 courts between January and June 1988. It assessed the likelihood of taking deductions from income support, the effect of multiple debts, and the impact of the collection of fines and enforcement procedures (including imprisonment for defaults). The results revealed that 119,000 fined offenders would be eligible for deductions from income support when the fine was imposed and that 71,000 would be eligible when deductions would be made following default. Only a very small proportion of fine defaulters had deductions at the maximum permissible rates for all of the year and would not have any income available for further deductions. The number of defaulters imprisoned each year would be reduced by a maximum of 13,000. Based on this study the DSS and Home Office agreed to the use of deductions from income support for fine defaulters. The 1990 Criminal Justice Bill substantiated the power to use deductions for income support for fine payment. 1 table, 4 notes, 11 references, and listing of 191 publications