NCJ Number
101195
Journal
Victimology Volume: 10 Issue: 1-4 Dated: (1985) Pages: 617-630
Date Published
1985
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Traditional roles for crime victims have been initiator of the criminal justice system by making a decision to report a crime to the police and witness to assist the prosecution in securing a conviction. Recent victim rights efforts are extending to victims a further role as recipient of information regarding actions taken by the justice system in relation to the victims' cases.
Abstract
This paper develops a conceptual model and evaluation research questions for a victim role of participant in the penal-correctional process whereby victims are provided the opportunity to meet their offender after guilt has been determined and to engage in the process of developing a restorative plan for presentation to the court. The restorative plan is to become the penalty imposed upon an offender and will require the offender to take correctional actions to restore the damages done through restitution to the victim and service to the community. The probation officer or other official of the justice system will serve as a mediator to facilitate this process. Finally, the paper answers five common objections to this concept -- the criminal justice process will be converted to a procedure for the victim to secure private gain, the process will detract from other penal objectives, victims don't want to be involved in the justice system, victims will be vindictive, and the process will create a nuisance for justice system officials. (Author abstract)