Victim Restitution Can Reduce Prison Overcrowding (From America's Prisons: Opposing Viewpoints, P 150-153, 1991, Stacey L. Tipp, ed. - See NCJ-159858)

• NCJ Number: 159878
• Author(s): R Lawrence
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: Greenhaven Press
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article argues that restitution programs can serve as an alternative to imprisonment and a viable solution to prison overcrowding.

Abstract

Restitution sentences may require offenders to pay money to their victims and/or the justice system, or perform community or other public service. Restitution is becoming popular among legislators, judiciary and corrections personnel, and the public, because it seems to fulfill the sentencing goals of retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and reintegration better than other punishments. A description of the Texas Restitution Center Program illustrates how restitution can reduce prison overcrowding, achieve the goals of sentencing, and avoid risking the public safety.