NCJ Number
112542
Date Published
Unknown
Length
124 pages
Annotation
After a comprehensive analysis of enabling legislation, case law, and administrative policies on victim impact statements in the United States, this study surveyed each State to determine the nature and extent of the use of victim impact statements in local jurisdictions.
Abstract
As of August 1987, 48 States had codified provisions authorizing some form of victim participation in sentencing. Victim input in postsentence decisions, although not as prevalent, was nevertheless garnering legislative and administrative acceptance. As of August 1987, victim involvement in parole decisionmaking was statutorily and/or administratively authorized in 39 States. Victims in three other sites, although not entitled to advance notice of the hearing at which parole release is to be considered, were entitled to post hoc notification of a panel's decision to release an inmate. In phase II of the study, mail surveys, personal discussions, and telephone interviews were used to examine the authorization and use of victim impact statements from two complementary perspectives. First, probation administrators, prosecutors, and parole board personnel were contacted to provide information on the nature and extent of the use of victim impact statements in their local jurisdictions. Second, these respondents were asked to discuss their perceptions of and reactions to current policies and procedures for the introduction and consideration of victim input. State-by-State information from the survey is provided in this report. Appended summary tables, research instruments, parole narratives, and sample victim impact statements.