NCJ Number
49557
Date Published
1978
Length
18 pages
Annotation
MAJOR DESCRIPTIVE AND EVALUATIVE RESEARCH ON RESTITUTION IS CITED AND ASSESSED, RESEARCH DEFICIENCIES AND PROBLEMS ARE IDENTIFIED, AND DIRECTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
RESEARCH CONCERNED WITH THE MANNER IN WHICH RESTITUTION IS BEING USED AS A SANCTIONING DEVICE INCLUDES A 1976 ASSESSMENT OF RESTITUTION IN THE MINNESOTA PROBATION SYSTEM, AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE PERCEIVED FAIRNESS OF RESTITUTION IN A JUVENILE COURT PROGRAM IN MINNESOTA, A 1977 SURVEY OF JUVENILE COURT RESTITUTION PRACTICES, AN UNPUBLISHED STUDY OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF LEGISLATORS AND CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS REGARDING RESTITUTION, A MINNESOTA SURVEY OF PAROLE AND PROBATION OFFICERS' VIEWS ABOUT PROBLEMS IN RESTITUTION, AND A NATIONAL SURVEY OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF RESTITUTION PROGRAMS. PROGRAM EVALUATIONS INCLUDE THOSE CONDUCTED FOR A MINNESOTA RESTITUTION CENTER, A RESTITUTION-BASED ADULT DIVERSION PROGRAM IN PIMA COUNTY, ARIZ., AN EXPERIMENTAL RESTITUTION PROGRAM OPERATED BY THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT OF POLK COUNTY, IOWA, AND A RESTITUTION SHELTER PROGRAM IN GEORGIA. A REVIEW OF THE METHODS AND FINDINGS OF THESE STUDIES SUGGESTS MAJOR RESEARCH PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE USE OF EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS TO ASSESS PROGRAM OUTCOMES, THE VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF DATA, AND THE LACK OF CUMULATIVE FINDINGS. ONE COMMON FINDING IN THE RESEARCH IS THE PREDOMINANCE OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS AS VICTIMS. SEVERAL OF THE STUDIES NOTED A PREDOMINANCE OF WHITE, MIDDLE-CLASS OFFENDERS IN RESTITUTION PROGRAMS. IMPLICATIONS OF THESE AND OTHER FINDINGS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH ARE NOTED, AS IS THE NEED TO CLARIFY THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF RESTITUTION PROGRAMS. SUPPORTING DATA AND NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)