Offender Accountability for Victim Restitution

Enacted: Apr 2010

WHEREAS, the American Probation and Parole Association is committed to promoting services and programs that identify and meet the needs and interests of crime victims;

WHEREAS, many victims endure significant pecuniary losses as a direct result of crimes committed against them;

WHEREAS, many juveniles and adults placed on community supervision are ordered to pay restitution as a condition of their supervision as a way to hold them accountable for their actions and provide recompense to their victims;

WHEREAS, restitution and/or other compensatory sanctions are still, in many jurisdictions, the primary service performed for the victim by probation and parole agencies;

WHEREAS, community corrections agencies play a vital role in the restitution process including monitoring, enforcing, collecting, and disbursing restitution to crime victims;

WHEREAS, not all community corrections agencies have identified and placed restitution as a high priority within their departments;

WHEREAS, victims have a right to financial restitution and compensation.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the American Probation and Parole Association encourages community corrections agencies to place a high priority on restitution enforcement and collection; to take a proactive stance toward providing training on restitution management and victims’ rights and issues at the time of new employee orientation and as a component of ongoing professional development for staff; and to develop strategies and implement policies and practices that will result in increased restitution collection and disbursement to victims of crime.