NCJ Number
79998
Date Published
1980
Length
46 pages
Annotation
Methodology and findings are presented from a study that examined victim and offender perceptions of the fairness of restitution and community service order sanctions.
Abstract
The victims and offenders surveyed were associated with 19 restitution projects located in 17 States throughout the Nation. A total of 661 forms were sent to offenders and 355 went to victims. Forms were returned from 194 of the offenders and 152 of the victims. Overall, both offenders and victims view monetary restitution and community service as fair and desirable sanctions; however, most victims prefer restitution in conjunction with other sanctions, while offenders were more likely to prefer a sole sanction of community service or monetary restitution, as well as a combination of one or the other with probation. Many inmates viewed the combination of restitution and prison time as an unfair double punishment. Over two-thirds of the offender respondents found their community service experiences either 'useful' or 'very useful.' The survey appears to indicate that careful placement of offenders in community service settings yields positive results. About three-fourths of the offenders would have preferred to meet with their victims to determine program requirements. Almost half of the victims stated they would want to meet with the offender to work out program requirements should they be in the same situtation again. The projects involved in the survey are listed and briefly described, and the questionnaire is appended. Seventeen notes are listed.