NCJ Number
53248
Date Published
1978
Length
24 pages
Annotation
EFFORTS BY THE NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION ON MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO DEVELOP RESTITUTION PROGRAMS ARE REPORTED.
Abstract
IN 1977 THE COMMISSION INVESTIGATED RESTITUTION PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA AND IN MONROE COUNTY, N.Y., AND SENT REPRESENTATIVES TO A SYMPOSIUM ON RESTITUTION HELD IN MINNESOTA. DURING THE SYMPOSIUM, THE COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVES WORKED WITH PROBATION AND CORRECTION OFFICIALS FROM NEW YORK TO DEVELOP RESTITUTION MODELS. TWO PROPOSALS, ONE BY THE PROBATION DIVISION AND THE OTHER BY THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT, EMERGED. THE PROBATION PROPOSAL USES RESTITUTION BOTH AS A DIVERSIONARY MECHANISM PRIOR TO ADJUDICATION AND AS A SENTENCING ALTERNATIVE. THE CORRECTIONS PROPOSAL VIEWS RESTITUTION AS PART OF THE PRISON-TO-COMMUNITY REENTRY PROCESS, WITH OFFENDERS LIVING IN SPECIAL COMMUNITY CENTERS WHILE THEY FULFILL THEIR RESTITUTION CONTRACTS. DETAILS OF BOTH PROPOSALS AND THEIR BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS ARE REPORTED, TOGETHER WITH THE MAJOR FEATURES OF THE GEORGIA AND MONROE COUNTY RESTITUTION PROGRAMS. RESTITUTION-RELATED PROBLEMS YET TO BE RESOLVED IN NEW YORK ARE IDENTIFIED. THESE INCLUDE THE QUESTIONS OF HOW OFFENDERS MAKE RESTITUTION IF VICTIMS ARE UNCOOPERATIVE, HOW VICTIMS RECOVER THEIR LOSSES IF OFFENDERS FAIL TO MEET THE RESTITUTION PROGRAM'S ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, AND HOW RESTITUTION SHOULD INTERFACE WITH THE PRIVATE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND WITH NEW YORK'S CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION BOARD. THE NEED FOR CAREFUL MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF PILOT RESTITUTION PROJECTS IS EMPHASIZED. (LKM)