VICTIM COMPENSATION FOR THE POOR (FROM CRITICAL ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 1979, BY R G IACOVETTA AND DAE H CHANG - SEE NCJ-63717)

• NCJ Number: 63723
• Author(s): S G VINCENTNATHAN
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 16 pages
• Corporate Author: Carolina Academic Press
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

MONETARY COMPENSATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO POOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIMES. PROGRAMS SHOULD BE FUNDED PRIMARILY BY THE GOVERNMENT AND COULD PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN CRIME PREVENTION.

Abstract

SINCE COMPENSATION FOR PROPERTY CRIMES WOULD PLACE A HEAVY BURDEN ON TAXPAYERS, ONLY NEEDY VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIMES SHOULD RECEIVE COMPENSATION. ALTHOUGH VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS ARE INCREASING, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN BASED ON RATIONAL EVALUATIVE METHODS. CAUSATIVE FACTORS IN CRIME CAN BE IDENTIFIED AS THE OFFENDER, THE VICTIM, AND SOCIAL-GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURES. FINANCIAL LIABILITIES FOR COMPENSATION CAN BE BASED ON AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DEGREES OF RESPONSIBILITY OF THESE ELEMENTS. OFFENDERS SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO PAY SOME COMPENSATION, BUT THE CURRENT PRISON SYSTEM DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN SUFFICIENT WAGES OR DEVELOP SKILLS TO MAKE RESTITUTION POSSIBLE. VICTIMS WHO PRESENT A VULNERABLE TARGET FOR CRIME OR PROVOKE A VIOLENT ATTACK SHOULD RECEIVE LESS COMPENSATION. GOOD SAMARITANS, INNOCENT BYSTANDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, JUVENILES, ELDERLY PERSONS, AND THE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR VICTIMIZATION. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT IN PROVIDING COMPENSATION ARE INTERRELATED, BUT BECAUSE GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE FAILED TO PREVENT CRIME AND PROTECT CITIZENS THEY BEAR THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR AIDING VICTIMS. THE ADMINISTRATION OF COMPENSATION COULD BE DONE THROUGH A THREE-LEVEL SYSTEM OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL UNITS WHICH WOULD DEVELOP STANDARDS, IMPOSE AND COLLECT TAXES, AND PROCESS CLAIMS. TAX FUNDS COULD BE SUPPLEMENTED BY OFFENDERS; CONTRIBUTIONS AND COMMUNITY EFFORTS. COMMUNITY CONSCIOUSNESS IN REGARD TO CRIME PREVENTION WOULD BE RAISED, AND THE PROMISE OF LOWER TAXES FOR REDUCED CRIME RATES WOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INCENTIVE. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING A VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAM CONCLUDE THE ARTICLE. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND FOOTNOTES ARE APPENDED. (MJM)