Accountability in Action

• NCJ Number: 69890
• Author(s): W J Halacy
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 41 pages
• Grant Number(s): 78-ED-AX-0168
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Gary B Smith and Associates; The Restitution Alternative
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The structure and workings of Maine's The Restitution Alternative (TRA), a juvenile justice system agency that provides services to juvenile offenders and their victims, are described.

Abstract

Funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Maine Criminal Justice Planning and Assistance Agency, the project exists to provide accurate information to the courts upon which to make a decision regarding restitution and to facilitate the restitution payment to the victim. In addition, project staff provide support services to both victims and juveniles. TRA, established in 1978, is an alternative to the incarceration of juveniles convicted of committing criminal acts. The identification of cases in which restitution is the most appropriate alternative is achieved by screening all juvenile court cases scheduled for arraignment within the Southern Maine district courts. Following this activity, a staff member interviews the victim to document the value of loss and to identify victim service needs. Following court disposition, the probation and parole department refers to TRA those cases requiring extensive case management service for either victim or offender. A restitution contract is developed with all participants. The case manager supports the youth's restitution efforts by providing job development services, monitoring offender progress, and responding to offender needs as they become apparent. The program is based upon a reconcilative correctional model. To date 101 juveniles have been referred to TRA, and 75 cases have been closed. Other components of the criminal justice system have benefited in terms of better documentation, more available dispositions, reduced caseloads, and increased avenues for delivery of services. It is anticipated that as the project becomes better established within the system, the number of individuals who will benefit from the alternative concept wil increase dramatically. Figures and exhibits are included in the narrative.