VICTIM COMPENSATION AND OFFENDER RESTITUTION - WHO'S KIDDING WHOM? (FROM CONFERENCE ON CORRECTIONS, 1978, BY VERNON FOX - SEE NCJ-59701)

• NCJ Number: 59707
• Author(s): W G DOERNER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Ctr for Professional Development and Public Service; Florida State University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A VICTIM-WITNESS PROJECT IN MILWAUKEE, WIS., INDICATES THAT VICTIM COMPENSATION AND OFFENDER RESTITUTION PROGRAMS ARE NOT HAVING THE ANTICIPATED POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ON VICTIMS.

Abstract

THE VICTIM-WITNESS PROJECT IN MILWAUKEE WAS UNDERTAKEN TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE, RANGE, AND IMPACT OF PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY VICTIMS AS A DIRECT RESULT OF CRIME AND FROM ENTRANCE INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED WITH 1,775 VICTIMS OVER A 48-WEEK PERIOD. THE RESULTS OF INTERVIEWING DEMONSTRATED THAT VICTIMS EXPERIENCE A VARIETY OF PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE CRIME ITSELF. APPROXIMATELY HALF EXPERIENCED MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES, LOSS OF TIME FROM NORMAL ACTIVITIES, AND PROPERTY LOSS OR DAMAGE. ABOUT 25 PERCENT SUFFERED LOSS OF INCOME, ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH THEIR FAMILIES, AND SUFFERED PHYSICAL INJURY. PHYSICALLY INJURED VICTIMS SUSTAINED A MEDIAN MEDICAL BILL OF $60. ALTHOUGH INSURANCE COMPANIES REIMBURSED 58 PERCENT OF THESE VICTIMS, UNINSURED VICTIMS HAD A MEDIAN MEDICAL BILL OF $98. THE MEDIAN INCOME LOSS WAS $86 PER VICTIM. THE MEDIAN PROPERTY LOSS OR DAMAGE FIGURE WAS NEARLY $200 BUT DECREASED TO $138 AFTER INSURANCE ADJUSTMENTS. AFTER ENTERING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, VICTIMS HAD TO PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING, GET BABYSITTERS FOR THEIR CHILDREN, AND SPEND A LONG TIME WAITING AT THE COURTHOUSE. THE ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, DEFINED AS PROGRAMS TO REIMBURSE VIOLENT CRIME VICTIMS FOR INJURIES, LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN 2 PERCENT OF ALL VIOLENT CRIME VICTIMS APPLY FOR COMPENSATION BENEFITS. FURTHERMORE, IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR VICTIM COMPENSATION BOARDS TO REJECT HALF OF ALL CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION BENEFITS. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESTITUTION PROGRAMS IS LIKEWISE INADEQUATE. RESTITUTION REQUIRES THE IDENTIFICATION, APPREHENSION, AND PROCESSING OF OFFENDERS. STATISTICS SHOW, HOWEVER, THAT ONLY ABOUT 20 PERCENT OF INDEX CRIMES ARE CLEARED BY ARREST. IN GENERAL, EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS GAP BETWEEN FINANCIAL PROBLEMS OF VICTIMS AND REMEDIAL ACTIONS TAKEN BY CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES. REFERENCES ARE CITED. (DEP)