NCJ Number
169517
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Dated: (December 1997) Pages: 78-79,82-83
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Vermont Department of Corrections sponsored focus groups composed of randomly selected citizens from various sites and a formal telephone survey of more than 400 Vermonters to determine the public's views of corrections.
Abstract
Findings show that from offenders the public wants full acceptance of responsibility for the crime, acknowledgement of guilt, full restitution, a commitment to never repeat the offense, and some good to come from society's response to the crime. Further, the public wants the criminal justice system to be truthful. This involves ensuring that any convictions are for the offenses actually committed rather than for some lesser offense to which the offender pled guilty. The public wants to keep dangerous felons in prison while giving nonviolent offenders alternatives to prison. Thus, from corrections Vermonters want safety from violent offenders, accountability for the offense, repair of the damage done by the crime, education and treatment, and more community involvement in the justice system. The Vermont Department of Corrections has concluded, based on the survey and focus group findings, that Vermonters want restorative rather than retributive justice. Their emphasis is on victim's needs and the accountability of the offender to the victim and the community for the harm done.