NCJ Number
45622
Date Published
1977
Length
21 pages
Annotation
TWO PROGRAMS WHICH WORK WITH OFFENDERS WHO ARE ORDERED TO COMPENSATE VICTIMS HAVE PROVED MORE EFFECTIVE THAN INCARCERACTION, LESS COSTLY THAN TRADITIONAL PUNISHMENTS.
Abstract
A 2-YEAR LEAA PILOT PROJECT STARTED IN GEORGIA IN 1975 SET UP A RESIDENT OFFENDER RESTITUTION PROGRAM. UNDER THIS PROGRAM THE COURTS AND PAROLE BOARD MAY REQUIRE OFFENDERS TO MAKE FINANCIAL RESTITUTION TO THE VICTIMS OF THE CRIME AND/OR COMMUNITY SERVICE RESTITUTION WHILE RESIDING AT THE CENTER UNDER CLOSE SUPERVISION. THE PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL. IT HAS PROVED SO POPULAR WITH JUDGES AND PAROLE OFFICERS AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE VOTED TO CONTINUE FUNDING AFTER THE PILOT GRANT EXPIRED. A SECOND PROGRAM, A NONRESIDENT RESTITUTION PLAN FOR OFFENDERS WHO DO NOT NEED SUCH CLOSE SUPERVISION, HAS BEEN SET UP UNDER A NEW 2-YEAR LEAA GRANT. THE TARGET POPULATION OF THE RESIDENTIAL CENTER PROGRAM INCLUDES BOTH PROBATIONERS AND PAROLEES WHILE THE NORRESIDENT PROGRAM IS AIMED AT FIRST OFFENDERS. THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM HAS FOUR CENTERS OPERATING 24 HOURS A DAY IN ATLANTA, ALBANY, MACON, AND ROME. THE CORE STAFF OF COUNSELORS IS SUPPLEMENTED BY VOLUNTEERS; SPONSORSHIP OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM IS SPREAD WIDELY AMONG CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, AND CIVIC GROUPS. THE OFFENDER IS REQUIRED TO GET A JOB. THE CENTER SUPERVISES THE BUDGET. A SET AMOUNT IS PUT ASIDE EACH PAY PERIOD TO REIMBURSE THE VICTIMS. PAYMENTS ARE MADE EITHER FACE TO FACE OR BY MAIL. THE PUBLIC LIKES THE IDEA THAT OFFENDERS ARE WORKING, TAXPAYING, AND OFF WELFARE. SOCIAL WORKERS LIKE THE FACT THAT THERE IS LESS FAMILY DISRUPTION AND A MORE POSITIVE APPROACH TO PUNISHMENT. JUDGES AND PAROLE OFFICERS APPRECIATE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION. DURING THE FIRST 18 MONTHS OFFENDERS PAID $126,897 TO VICTIMS, PAID $241,690 IN STATE AND FEDERAL TAXES, RETURNED $342,937 TO THE STATE IN PROJECT INCOME (ROOM AND BOARD MAINTENANCE CHARGES WHICH ARE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS), SPENT $431,704 IN THE COMMUNITY FOR LIVING EXPENSES, PAID $139,513 IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES, SAVED $84,156 FOR USE WHEN RELEASED, AND CONTRIBUTED 4212 HOURS OF PUBLIC SERVICE WORK. COST OF THE CENTER FOR THE FIRST YEAR WAS $116,000. COST OF INCARCERATING 30 OFFENDERS IS $121,35. SUPERVISION FOR 30 ON PAROLE IS $6150. THE CONCEPT IS NOT COST-SAVING IF USED FOR THOSE ON PAROLE, BUT IS IF USED FOR INCARCERATION. TO DATE THOSE RELEASED FROM THE CENTER HAVE HAD A 66 PERCENT POSITIVE TERMINATION RATE. WORK IS UNDERWAY TO EXPAND THE CONCEPT.