NCJ Number
59731
Date Published
1978
Length
63 pages
Annotation
A STUDY OF THE NEED FOR AND ACCEPTANCE OF COMMUNITY RESTITUTION CENTERS IN VIRGINIA, BASED ON AN ANALYSIS OF VIRGINIA'S INMATE POPULATION AND A SURVEY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE DECISIONMAKERS, IS DOCUMENTED.
Abstract
CRITERIA FROM TWO MODEL RESTITUTION PROGRAMS WERE USED TO SCREEN ALL 1,304 ADULT FELONS COMMITTED TO VIRGINIA'S PRISONS ON PROPERTY OFFENSES IN 1976. IT WAS FOUND THAT 88 INMATES WERE POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION IN A RESTITUTION PROGRAM. THESE INMATES WERE INTERVIEWED TO DETERMINE THEIR WORK EXPERIENCE, EMPLOYMENT HISTORY, EMOTIONAL STABILITY, AND RISK TO THE COMMUNITY. ON THE BASIS OF THE INTERVIEWS, 32 WERE EXCLUDED FROM ELIGIBILITY. THE REMAINING 56 OFFENDERS HAD GOOD WORK RECORDS AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, SPECIALIZED TRAINING OR EXPERIENCE IN A SKILLED TRADE OR PROFESSION. THESE OFFENDERS COULD HAVE BEEN DIVERTED TO A RESTITUTION CENTER HAD SUCH A PROGRAM BEEN AVAILABLE. A SURVEY OF 217 JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, LEGISLATORS, AND CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS (60-PERCENT RESPONSE) FOUND WIDESPREAD FAMILIARITY WITH AND SUPPORT FOR RESTITUTION CENTERS, ALTHOUGH FEW RESPONDENTS WERE WILLING TO RECOMMEND A LOCATION FOR A CENTER. RESPONDENTS FELT THAT RESTITUTION WAS MOST APPROPRIATE FOR THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF OFFENDERS (IN PRIORITY): ADULT MISDEMEANANTS, JUVENILE OFFENDERS, ADULT FELONS, PROPERTY OFFENDERS, AND PERSONS WITH FEWER THAN THREE SEPARATE FELONY COMMITMENTS. SURVEY FINDINGS INDICATED THAT RESTITUTION SHOULD BE IN THE FORM OF FINANCIAL REPAYMENT (DIRECT CASH LOSS, PROPERTY REPLACEMENT, PAYMENT FOR VICTIM'S PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL SERVICES) AND PUBLIC SERVICE (PUBLIC PARK PROJECTS, REPAIRING VICTIM'S PROPERTY). IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT NEED AND SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY RESTITUTION CENTERS IN VIRGINIA TO WARRANT ESTABLISHING A PILOT CENTER. SUPPORTING DATA, FOOTNOTES, AND COPIES OF STUDY INSTRUMENTS ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)