Restitution for Adult Males - A Preliminary Impact Evaluation Report on the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff's Restitution Shelter/Diagnostic Unit

• NCJ Number: 78869
• Author(s): S M Hunt
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 89 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Louisiana Cmssn on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice; US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: New Orleans Mayor's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A restitution program for adult males in the Orleans Parish of Louisiana was evaluated in terms of its operations and impact.

Abstract

The restitution center and diagnostic unit began operations in June 1977 and became part of a prerelease center test site in April 1979. Offenders accepted into the program proceed through three phases of increased freedom which eventually lead to full release. The program was designed to ensure monetary payments to victims and performance of community service work by all participants. It also aimed to increase participants' educational levels and employment or training. Potential participants were screened to guard against acceptance of participants who posed a threat to the public and were escape risks. Participants were placed in individualized learning programs and in jobs from which they accumulated savings from which a restitution payment would be deducted upon release. They also contributed a percentage of their income for room and board in prison. The program demonstrated significant progress toward meeting all of its goals, except for the educational goal. Over four-fifths of all participants worked, and a total of almost 4,000 hours of community service work were contributed. However, only 32 percent of all participants attended educational classes. The typical offender took part for 56.8 days, worked for 49.7 days, attended 27.4 hours of educational classes, and contributed 18.5 hours of community service. The typical offender also received about 10 hours of individualized counseling, attended 5 group counseling sessions, paid $146 in restitution, paid $129 to the sheriff, and received $323 in savings when released. Recidivism was not measured, as the program was not designed to affect it. Improved screening, program expansion, improved educational services, and exclusion of offenders charged with criminal neglect of families are recommended. A financial analysis, tables, and appendixes presenting a flow chart and program forms and related materials are provided.