Restitution as a Sanction for Offenders - A Public's View (From Victims, Offenders, and Alternative Sanctions, P 89-100, 1980, Joe Hudson and Burt Galaway, ed. - See NCJ-74113)

• NCJ Number: 74120
• Author(s): J T Gandy; B Galaway
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: Lexington Books
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This essay reports on a survey of the population of Columbia, S.C., regarding people's perceptions of the appropriateness of monetary restitution and community service sentencing as punishments for selected property offenses.

Abstract

Researchers polled residents on three types of restitution: monetary, personal service, and community service. The data gathered in the survey were tabulated according to demographic characteristics of the sample, perceptions of neighborhood crime and victimization experience, sanctions recommended by type of offense and characteristics of offender, and perception of restitution as being appropriate or inappropriate. The findings indicate considerable support for the use of restitutive sanctions, either alone or in conjunction with probation and counseling, for first offenders guilty of burglary, auto theft, destruction of a homeowner's property, and shoplifting; the idea of having offenders work for the victims also met with public approval. Other findings indicate little support for the use of restitutive sanctions for offenders who commit crimes against persons and a general feeling of dissatisfaction with the American penal system which was viewed as too complicated and unfair. Tabular data and one bibliographic reference are included.