NCJ Number
126465
Date Published
1990
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Interviews with 50 burglary victims who participated in a Minnesota victim-offender reconciliation program determined their perceptions of "fairness" in sentencing.
Abstract
Three of four victims wanted an opportunity to express their concern about the crime, and others merely wished to be kept informed about case status. Direct involvement in determining restitution was important to 42 of the victims. Forty-eight indicated that offender rehabilitation was an important aspect of "fairness." Forty-seven viewed compensation by the offender to the victim as an important dimension of "fairness." Lesser numbers of victims desired punishment for the offender as an aspect of "fairness." This was often coupled with the requirement that offenders make compensation. Twenty-seven of the victims considered the offender's expression of remorse as important. The survey analysis divided the victims into three categories: the "healer," who emphasized rehabilitation for the juvenile offender; the "fixer," who gave priority to compensation and the offender's accepting responsibility to repair the crime's damage; and the "avenger," who desired harsh punishment for the offender. Victims who participated in a mediation session with the offender reported a high degree of satisfaction with this process. 3 tables and 6 references