NCJ Number
127931
Journal
Journal of the National Prison Project Issue: 14 Dated: (Winter 1987) Pages: 9-11
Date Published
1987
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Current criminal justice policy should merge three goals: crime victim restitution, victim and offender reparation, and jail and prison population reduction.
Abstract
In recent years, attorneys, citizen groups, and crime victims have created a rapidly growing victims' rights movement that has significant similarities with the prisoners' rights movement. Prisoners and crime victims are both seeking increased participation in the criminal justice process. Both groups want recognition of their interests in the process. Although there is an inevitable tension between victims' and defendants' concerns in case processing, both the interests of defendants/offenders and victims can be served by appropriate case processing. A case disposition process designed to meet both victim and offender needs would hold offenders accountable for what they have done by the most cost-effective means while providing victim input for case disposition. The interests of offenders and victims can be addressed simultaneously in restitution conferences, where offenders and victims negotiate a restitution settlement. Victims have also shown a willingness to approve nonincarcerative sentences that offer rehabilitative opportunities not present in the prison setting. Under such case processing, both victims and offenders have opportunity to shape a case outcome that is mutually beneficial.