OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS RESTITUTION PROGRAM (FROM OFFENDER RESTITUTION IN THEORY AND ACTION, 1978, BY BURT GALAWAY AND JOE HUDSON - SEE NCJ-49547)

• NCJ Number: 49562
• Author(s): M PATERSON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Lexington Books
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A MONETARY RESTITUTION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES OKLAHOMA JUDGES WITH A PROBATIONARY SENTENCING ALTERNATIVE IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE GOALS OF THE OKLAHOMA PROGRAM ARE TO AID THE OFFENDER, THE VICTIM, AND THE STATE. THE MAJORITY OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ARE YOUNG (MEDIAN AGE OF 25), WHITE MALES EARNING BETWEEN $4,000 AND $8,000 PER YEAR. MOST OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE PROPERTY OFFENDERS. IN THE PROGRAM'S FIRST YEAR, 1,214 OFFENDERS PARTICIPATED. OF THESE, 294 SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THEIR COURT-ORDERED OBLIGATIONS TO 457 VICTIMS, INCLUDING BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES. A DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS RESTITUTION UNIT IMPLEMENTS RESTITUTION SCHEDULES DEVELOPED BY PROSECUTORS AND INCLUDED IN PROBATIONERS' DISPOSITIONS. ALL MONEY RECEIVED FROM OFFENDERS IS POSTED TO A CHECKING ACCOUNT, AND DISBURSEMENTS ARE MADE TO VICTIMS ON A PRO RATA BASIS. THE RESTITUTION UNIT IS INVOLVED IN ONLY ONE DECISION IN THE ENTIRE PROCESS: THAT REGARDING DELINQUENCY OF COURT-ORDERED PAYMENTS. VICTIM INVOLVEMENT IS NOT REQUIRED. THE ONLY MAJOR PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE COURTS' FAILURE TO FORWARD SOME TYPES OF INFORMATION TO THE RESTITUTION UNIT. THE PROGRAM HAS COLLECTED $175,000 IN RESTITUTION FOR VICTIMS. POSSIBILITIES FOR EXPANDING THE PROGRAM ARE NOTED. (LKM)