NCJ Number
47833
Date Published
1977
Length
39 pages
Annotation
THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING RESTITUTION CENTERS AS AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF DEALING WITH PROPERTY OFFENSES IN NEW YORK STATE IS CONSIDERED.
Abstract
RESTITUTION CENTERS ARE HALFWAY HOUSES FOR OFFENDERS AND HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN GEORGIA AND MINNESOTA AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION AND/OR PROBATION FOR SUCH OFFENSES AS BURGLARY, UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, FORGERY, AND FRAUD. A FORMAL CONTRACT IS DRAWN UP BETWEEN THE OFFENDER AND THE VICTIM; THE CONTRACT DETAILS A SATISFACTORY RESTITUTION SETTLEMENT WHICH THE OFFENDER AGREES TO PAY THE VICTIM. THE OFFENDER ALSO AGREES TO FIND EMPLOYMENT IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE CONTRACT AND TO SUPPORT HIM OR HERSELF AND DEPENDENTS. CASE HISTORIES OF RESTITUTION CENTERS IN GEORGIA AND MINNESOTA ARE PRESENTED, AS ARE STATISTICS ON NEW YORK'S NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS WHO WOULD BE CANDIDATES FOR RESTITUTION CENTER REFERRAL. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF RESTITUTION FACILITIES COULD REDUCE THE STATE'S INMATE POPULATION BY 14 PERCENT. CORRECTIONS COSTS IN NEW YORK AND POSSIBLE SAVINGS FROM A RESTITUTION PROGRAM ARE CONSIDERED, AND THE COST EFFECTIVENESS OF A RESTITUTION PROGRAM IS PROJECTED. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT A RESTITUTION PROGRAM COULD SAVE THE STATE $3,865 PER INDIVIDUAL OFFENDER PER YEAR. RECOMMENDATION FOR ESTABLISHING A RESTITUTION PROGRAM IN NEW YORK COVER PLANNING, PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY AND INTENT, TARGET POPULATION, CLIENT SELECTION, COST EFFECTIVENESS, RESEARCH DESIGN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND FLEXIBILITY. CORRESPONDENCE IS APPENDED. (LKM)