RESTITUTION AS IT MEETS PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS IN GEORGIA'S RESTITUTION PROGRAMS

• NCJ Number: 45621
• Author(s): B READ
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 17 pages
• Grant Number(s): 79ED-99-0026
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Georgia Dept of Corrections/Offender Rehabilitation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE 1977 AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION CONGRESS, AUGUST 24, 1977

Annotation

THE WAYS RESTITUTION PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA TRY TO SATISFY PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS FOR A SAFE, MEANINGFUL, BENEFICIAL, AND SOCIALLY USEFUL PLAN ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF OFFENDER REHABILITATION CURRENTLY OPERATES BOTH A RESIDENTAIL AND NONRESIDENTIAL OFFENDER RESTITUTION PROGRAM TO FORMALIZE, REFINE, AND EXPAND THE USE OF PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION BY THE OFFENDER TO THE VICTIM. TO SATISFY PUBLIC DEMAND FOR SAFETY IN THE PROGRAM, OFFENDERS ARE CAREFULLY SCREENED BY BOTH PROBATION PERSONNEL AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. AFTER ASSIGNMENT TO THE PROGRAM, THE OFFENDER IS SUPERVISED CLOSELY AND THE PROGRAM PERSONNEL CAN ASK THAT THE PROBATION BE REVOKED IF CAUSE IS FOUND. IN GEORGIA A FOUR-STAGE SCREENING PROCESS HAS EVOLVED TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY. TO MAKE THE PROGRAM MEANINGFUL, A PENALTY IS ASSESSED IN ADDITION TO THE ACTUAL COMPENSATION TO THE VICTIM. THIS IS INDIVIDUALLY DETERMINED DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE. SUCH A PROCEDURE ALSO HELPS THE PUBLIC PERCEIVE THE PROGRAM AS BENEFICIAL AND SOCIALLY USEFUL. IN ADDITION, THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM ARE PUBLICIZED IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH INVOLVEMENT OF VOLUNTEERS, THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION OF OFFENDERS IN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, AND THROUGH PERCEPTION OF REDUCED WELFARE AND INCARCERATION COSTS RESULTING FROM THE PROGRAM. (GLR)