NCJ Number
63250
Date Published
1980
Length
235 pages
Annotation
BASED ON THE EXPERIENCES OF OPERATING PROGRAMS, THE OPINIONS OF EXPERTS, AND AVAILABLE RESEARCH, THIS REPORT EXAMINES THE CURRENT STATUS OF VICTIM COMPENSATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
Abstract
AS ONE OF THE PROGRAM MODELS SERIES, THE REPORT FOCUSES ON VARIATIONS IN POLICIES, STRUCTURES, AND PROCEDURES AMONG VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS AND EXPLORES ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICULAR APPROACHES. THE PROCESS OF TRANSLATING THEORY INTO AN OPERATING PROGRAM IS ALSO EXAMINED, AND OBSERVATIONS ARE MADE ON SOME OF THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THIS IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS. SPECIFICALLY COVERED ARE COMPENSABLE LOSSES AND CRIMES, CRITERIA DEFINING BENEFICIARIES, PROMOTING VICTIM COOPERATION WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, EMERGENCY AWARDS AND ATTORNEY FEES, LIMITS ON COMPENSATION, PROGRAM AFFILIATION AND STAFFING, CLAIMS PROCEDURES AND METHODS FOR PAYMENT, COSTS AND FUNDING, AND EVALUATING PROGRAMS' IMPACT. THE REPORT IS INTENDED TO ASSIST STATES WITH EXISTING VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS AND STATES WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERING IMPLEMENTATION. THUS, IT INCLUDES INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO PROGRAM DESIGNERS, PROGRAM OPERATORS, VICTIM SERVICE GROUPS, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. THE EXPERIENCES WITH COMPENSATION PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND, NEW YORK, WASHINGTON, AND DELAWARE ARE HIGHLIGHTED THROUGHOUT THE REPORT AND SUPPLEMENTED BY INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM OTHER VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS. FOOTNOTES, TABULAR DATA, AND CHARTS ARE INCLUDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE UNIFORM CRIME VICTIMS REPARATIONS ACT, A SAMPLE POLICE OUTREACH LETTER, AND SAMPLE COMPENSATION APPLICATION FORMS FROM WASHINGTON, MARYLAND, NEW YORK, KENTUCKY, MINNESOTA, AND NORTH DAKOTA.