NCJ Number
115214
Date Published
1989
Length
12 pages
Annotation
When properly designed and implemented, restitution programs provide the juvenile justice system with an effective mechanism for holding youths accountable for their actions while responding to the needs of victims.
Abstract
Major components of a restitution program include monetary payments to victims, community service work, victim-offender mediation, and job information services. Issues affecting the use and effectiveness of restitution include the ability of the juvenile to pay restitution, and its effect on recidivism and whether it is effective for serious offenders. Concerns regarding restitution are that jurisdictions will use it as an ad hoc rather than in a programmatic manner, race or class bias may be built into the nature of the disposition, and legal liability and work employment issues for juveniles under the age of 16. Bibliography.