NCJ Number
95619
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 48 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1984) Pages: 39-42
Date Published
1984
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The increasing attention given crime victims by legislators, civic groups, police, judges, and corrections officials is examined, and some victim service programs are described.
Abstract
The fundamental reason for a corrections agency to offer victim services, notably restitution, is that they contribute to offender rehabilitation goals. Several examples of victim-offender reconciliation are discussed, such as a case where a young man burglarized his employer's warehouse. During the presentence investigation interview, the employer was upset and predicted that nothing would result from prosecution. The officer suggested that the best way to ensure restitution would be to rehire the young man and garnish his wages until restitution was paid. The employer agreed. After several months, he reported that the probationer had paid the amount in full and had a remarkably improved attitude. The use of volunteers in victim assistance programs is explored, particularly in such areas as determining restitution and researching community services for victims. The dramatic increase in the collection of restitution in both the United States and Canada over the past 5 years is noted, and suggestions for dealing with restitution problems are offered. Reparation, defined as compensation for trauma or inconvenience, is discussed, and difficulties involved in persuading judges to use it in sentencing are considered. A national effort to explore victim needs which could be met through the criminal and juvenile justice systems is urged. Six references are included.