The concept of compensating victims of organized crime must be examined within the larger context of restituting all victims of crime as a class of people who have undeservedly suffered some injury or loss as a result of the criminal behavior of others. While many industrialized countries have implemented some type of restitution program, hardly any of the African nations have passed the stage of nominal participation in United Nations meetings on the subject. Restitution to victims of common street crimes would provide an opportunity for community involvement in the administration of justice and could lessen the existing pressure on the criminal justice system. Unlike street crimes, organized crime usually affects a wider range of victims, who incur greater costs. In terms of law enforcement, organized crime offenders must be caught and their direct and indirect victims identified. 2 tables, 10 notes, 31 references, and 1 appendix