Restitution: The Victim’s viewpoint

One of the recent changes that has made criminal courts more responsive to victims is a renewed emphasis on restitution. However, evidence suggests that, while judges now order restitution far more frequently, rates of collection are low. For many victims restitution becomes a hollow promise. This paper looks at the erpenence of victims with restitution and with the programs designated to collect restitution. It jinds that victim satisfaction with the restitution process is vey low, but that it could be increased by better collection efforts and better efforts to keep victims informed.