NCJ Number
87182
Date Published
1982
Length
64 pages
Annotation
A British probation officer traces the history and development of restitution and describes succeeful schemes in the United States in which the participants -- victim, offender, and mediator -- agree on a plan for the recovery of losses.
Abstract
The idea of restitution signifies that offenders need to be held responsible for their crimes. Schafer talks about restitution as raising the offender's sense of 'functional responsibility' to society through personal responsibility to the victim. The act of reparation also has a cohesive function in that it brings individuals or groups in conflict together rather than widening the distance initially created by the offense. To prevent victims from feeling ignored, a system is required that keeps them informed and supported through all stages of case processing. Such a system requires a willingness on the part of those agencies who are party to the process to coordinate and plan action effectively. The report cites those services involving support, information giving, consultation, mediation, and compensation that are essential elements in giving victims a more influential and representative voice in the criminal justice setting. Chapter notes and about 40 references are cited.