THERAPEUTIC USES OF RESTITUTION (FROM OFFENDER RESTITUTION IN THEORY AND PRACTICE, 1978, BY BURT GALAWAY AND JOE HUDSON - SEE NCJ-49547)

• NCJ Number: 49550
• Author(s): P W KEVE
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Lexington Books
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SUGGESTIONS AS TO HOW REHABILITATIVE EFFECTS FOR OFFENDERS CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH RESTITUTION PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED.

Abstract

THE DISCUSSION ENCOMPASSES NOT ONLY PROGRAMS THAT PERMIT VICTIMS TO RECEIVE MONETARY RESTORATION OF THEIR LOSSES DIRECTLY FROM OFFENDERS, BUT ALSO SYMBOLIC RESTITUTION; I.E., PROGRAMS THAT SERVE GROUPS (PERHAPS WHOLE COMMUNITIES) OTHER THAN SPECIFIC VICTIMS. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT BOTH AFFLUENT AND INDIGENT OFFENDERS ARE APPROPRIATE SUBJECTS FOR RESTITUTION PENALTIES THAT INVOLVE THEM EMOTIONALLY IN THE GIVING OF TIME AND EFFORT TO SOME RESTORATIVE ASSISTANCE EITHER TO THE VICTIM OR TO THE LARGER COMMUNITY. TO BE EFFECTIVE AS A TREATMENT, RESTITUTION SHOULD INVOLVE PAYMENTS THAT REPRESENT AN EXTRA EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE OFFENDER, A SACRIFICE OF TIME OR CONVENIENCE. THE ASSIGNED RESTITUTION EFFORT SHOULD BE CLEARLY DEFINED, MEASURABLE, AND ACHIEVABLE (BUT NOT EASY). THE RESTITUTION ASSIGNMENT SHOULD BE MEANINGFUL, NOT BUSY WORK OR TOKEN GESTURES. RESTITUTION ASSIGNMENTS SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO PRODUCE REWARDS FOR OFFENDERS WHO COMPLETE THEM SUCCESSFULLY. EXAMPLES OF EFFECTIVE APPROACHES TO RESTITUTION ARE CITED, AS ARE INDIRECT BENEFITS (E.G., EDUCATION FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS) OF RESTITUTION PROGRAMS. (LKM)