NCJ Number
73000
Date Published
1980
Length
23 pages
Annotation
The aims of a study designed to relate restitution outcome to offender characteristics as measured by Interpersonal Maturity Level (I-level)and specific personality dimensions are discussed, and implications of the study's approach are considered.
Abstract
A review of evaluation studies and descriptive accounts of existing restitution programs shows that virtually no attention has been given to identifying the personality or psychological characteristics of offenders associated with successful completion of restitution. A study is currently underway to classify offenders ordered to make restitution by I-level and by other personality characteristics. The aims of the study are to assess the relationship of I-level and subtype to successful completion of restitution, to assess the relationship of restitution program characteristics to success or failure on restitution for offenders by I-level, and to assess the relationship of specific personality characteristics of offenders to restitution outcome. Additionally, the study will assess the gains made by using personality data alone or in combination with demographic, social, and prior record data to predict which offenders will succeed in a restitution program and under what types of conditions. The theoretical rationale for each of the aims is discussed. The study will asess the validity of using I-level theory in a field setting. The study's outcome may provide practitioners with a theoretical basis for assigning different types of offenders to different types of restitution programs according to their level of personality development. Footnotes and 30 references are provided.