NCJ Number
157219
Journal
Perspectives Dated: (Winter 1994) Pages: 22-27
Date Published
1994
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes how the California Victims of Crime (VOC) Program addressed its funding problems by increasing offender contributions.
Abstract
Given the growing demand for victim compensation and the limited generation of restitution and fines from offenders, a program was developed to mitigate the absence of both the assessment and collection of the restitution fine on a statewide basis. Foremost among the components of the new approach was the creation of a permanent dialog with the Department of Corrections. Starting in November 1992 the Department of Corrections initiated its program to garnish 20 percent of the wages of those inmates involved in work activities. the first check forwarded to the VOC Program was just over $59,000 for 1 month's collection. This has since grown to monthly receipts of over $100,000. In addition to wages from work and the criminal fine, funds have been obtained from offenders through civil actions that include asset searches, liens, and tax refund offsets. The objective is to use every means possible to hold offenders accountable for their actions. Another core component of the VOC Program is a 10 percent State rebate of the restitution fines and orders collected by county entities. This form of revenue sharing is important, because it mitigates some of the resource reductions endured by county probation departments over the last several years. Other areas of activity designed to increase offender restitution payments are also described.