Source: (1988) Federal Probation 52(3):3-14.
This literature review examines what has been learned about restitution since the establishment of the Minnesota Restitution Center in 1971. Three conclusions are drawn from the past 15 years of program development and research. First, implementation of restitution in both juvenile and adult systems is feasible. Second, there is strong public and victim support for restitution. And third, restitution may accomplish the utilitarian goals of punishment as well as being defensible from a “just deserts” philosophy. For restitution to achieve prominence as a penalty will require its development, combined with other reparative sanctions, as a replacement for jail and prison for many, if not all, classes of property offenses.
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