NCJ Number
80429
Date Published
1980
Length
34 pages
Annotation
This evaluation report describes Minnesota's Tri County Juvenile Restitution Program; analyzes its clients, activities, and costs; and compares these findings with the Steele County Community Work Service Program.
Abstract
The target population for the Tri County program is juveniles admitting guilt or found guilty of any offense except murder, manslaughter, and rape. From January 1978 through July 1979, the program served 382 clients, of whom 72 percent had committed crimes against property. Drug-related offenses accounted for 14.6 percent of the charges, other criminal offenses 10.5 percent, and crimes against persons and status offenses the remaining 2.9 percent. Clients ranged in age from 9 to 18 years, with the average being 16 years old. Almost all offenders were white, and 85.6 percent were male. Tri County tries to use monetary or work service restitution in most juvenile cases. A description of the restitution process covers the judge's role and the restitution conference among the victim offender, and restitution officer. Criteria governing the decision to use work service or monetary restitution are discussed. During the evaluation period, 66 percent of the offenders completed their restitution satisfactorily, while 15 percent received an extension to the time limit set and then completed the restitution. Only 0.52 percent of the clients failed to receive an authorized extension, and completion of restitution in 18 percent of the cases is unknown. The Steele County program serves a similar population but deals only with community work service and has dropped victim involvement. An analysis of costs in both programs shows that average cost per client in Tri County was $78.46 compared to $174.58 in Steele County. The Tri County program has administered surveys to victims and offenders to measure achievement of goals, but few conclusions can be drawn from these data because response has been poor. Followup information on 203 offenders 6 months after they were terminated from the program in July 1979, revealed that 10.3 percent had reinvolvement with the criminal justice system. Tables, a list of offenses based on type of victimization, and Tri County's survey questionnaires are included.