RESTITUTION FOR JUVENILES - A PROCESS EVALUATION REPORT ON THE ORLEANS PARISH JUVENILE COURT JUVENILE RESTITUTION PROJECT

• NCJ Number: 67609
• Author(s): S M HUNT
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 108 pages
• Grant Number(s): 78-ED-AX-0159
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: New Orleans Mayor's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EVALUATION OF THE ORLEANS PARISH JUVENILE COURT JUVENILE RESTITUTION PROJECT (LOUISIANA) FINDS THAT ALTHOUGH IT IS UNDERUTILIZED AND THAT THE JUVENILES NEED TO BE HELD TO WORK CONTRACTS, THE PROGRAM IS WORKING.

Abstract

THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED TO PROCESS APPROXIMATELY 140 YOUTHS PER YEAR AND TO SERVE A MAXIMUM OF 90 AT ANY ONE TIME. DURING THE EVALUATION PERIOD THERE WERE 58 REFERRALS, MOSTLY BLACK YOUTHS FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. THE PROJECT DISTRIBUTED $12,223.13 IN RESTITUTION EITHER DIRECTLY TO VICTIMS OR TO A VICTIM FUND. THE PARTICIPANTS PERFORMED 2,877 HOURS OF COMMUNITY WORK AND RECEIVED $4,365.75 IN INCENTIVE AND FOOD ALLOWANCES. THE EVALUATION FINDS THE PROGRAM UNDERUTILIZED BY NEW ORLEANS COURT OFFICIALS. BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS OFTEN USED FOR FIRST TIME OFFENDERS, WHO ORDINARILY WOULD NOT BE INCARCERATED, IT IS NOT PROVING TO BE AN EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION. BETTER ADMINISTRATION IS NEEDED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE YOUTHS FULFILL THEIR CONTRACTS. IT IS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT UNSUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT, WITH A PORTION OF THE SALARY USED FOR RESTITUTION, MIGHT BE BETTER THAN THE CURRENT SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE IT WOULD GIVE THE YOUTH A JOB THAT MIGHT OUTLAST THE PROGRAM AND PROVIDE PERMANENT BENEFITS. TABLES AND FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. REPORTS, RELEVANT LETTERS FROM OFFICIALS, AND SURVEY INSTRUMENTS ARE APPENDED.