NCJ Number
59303
Date Published
1976
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THE MINNESOTA RESTITUTION CENTER, A COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM OPERATED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM IS OFFERED TO SELECTED PROPERTY OFFENDERS WHO HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO THE MINNESOTA STATE PRISON OR THE STATE REFORMATORY FOR MEN. THE MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS ON OFFENDERS MAKING RESTITUTION TO THE VICTIM OF THE CRIME FOR WHICH THEY WERE SENTENCED TO PRISON. WHILE SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO 'VICTIM COMPENSATION' LAWS, THE CONCEPT OF RESTITUTION CLEARLY CALLS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL OFFENDER, AS OPPOSED TO THE STATE, MAKING RESTITUTION TO THE VICTIM. THE MINNESOTA CENTER IS ONE OF THE FIRST ATTEMPTS AT SYSTEMATICALLY APPLYING THE IDEA OF RESTITUTION TO A COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM. IT RECEIVED ITS FIRST CLIENT IN SEPTEMBER 1972. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES ARE TO (1) PROVIDE MEANS BY WHICH OFFENDERS MAY COMPENSATE VICTIMS FOR MATERIAL LOSS, (2) PROVIDE INTENSIVE PERSONAL PAROLE SUPERVISION, (3) PROVIDE OFFENDERS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR BEHAVIOR AND HELP THEM RESOLVE PERSONAL PROBLEMS THROUGH INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING, (4) PROVIDE VICTIMS WITH RESTITUTION, (5) DISSEMINATE INFORMATION REGARDING THE RESTITUTION CONCEPT AND THE CENTER TO OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES THROUGH THE U.S. AND CANADA, AND (6) UNDERTAKE VALID RESEARCH AND EVALUATION OF THE CONCEPT OF RESTITUTION. AN OVERVIEW OF THE CENTER IS PRESENTED WITH SECTIONS DEVOTED TO ITS ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, CLIENT SELECTION AND SCREENING PROCESS, PROGRAM STRUCTURE, STAFF COMPOSITION, GROUP PROGRAMS, AND RESEARCH AND EVALUATION OBJECTIVES. A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (MJW)