NCJ Number
126222
Date Published
1985
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Juvenile restitution programs foster and enhance the use of restitution as an effective disposition in juvenile courts.
Abstract
The underlying goal of these programs is to hold juvenile offenders accountable for their offenses in a manner which is directly proportional to the seriousness of their offenses. The three major objectives are to provide some redress for the damages or loss suffered by victims of juvenile crime; reduce recidivism of juvenile offenders; and increase community confidence in the juvenile justice system. Although there are a number of different approaches to restitution programming, the key elements which must be in place in all programs prior to implementation are the commitment of court and juvenile justice system personnel, planning for placement and target population, specialized administration, and community involvement. An evaluation of the first two years of project implementation showed that the overall rate of successful completion of restitution requirements was 86 percent; fewer than one juvenile in ten re-offended while participating in a restitution program and, in most instances, willful failure to comply with the restitution order resulted in incarceration.