NCJ Number
113147
Journal
Security Volume: 25 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1988) Pages: 62-64
Editor(s)
B Zalud
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Restitution is providing organizations with an effective means for recovering losses and deterring employee and customer theft.
Abstract
Restitution may require offenders to pay back or work off their debt to the victim or may require that earnings of incarcerated offenders be used to repay victims or to fund compensation programs. Restitution can be sought at various stages of criminal case processing (e.g., at arrest, during plea bargaining, or as a sentencing or probation/parole condition) and also can be used in addition to criminal action in the form of civil demand. Most security managers feel that prosecution should be emphasized and that restitution should not be used as a form of negotiation with the offender. Steps to follow in restitution include interview and interrogation, documentation of the problem and loss and associated costs, development of a victim impact statement, establishment of a framework for the restitution procedures, and consideration of the use of civil demand. Communication and consistency are the keys to the success of restitution. Employees should know that the organization policy includes prosecution and restitution. Restitution should be included in interview forms and agreement statements when dealing with theft. Close cooperation with police and prosecutor also are essential.