| NCJ Number: |
185125  |
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| Title: |
Empowering the Victim: California Shifts the Focus of Justice |
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| Journal: |
Corrections Today Volume:62 Issue:4 Dated:July 2000 Pages:136-138 |
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| Author(s): |
J. P. Tremblay |
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| Date Published: |
July 2000 |
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| Page Count: |
3 |
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| Type: |
Program/Project Description |
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| Format: |
Article |
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| Language: |
English |
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| Country: |
United States of America |
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| Annotation: |
This article traces the development of victim services in
California's juvenile justice system.
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| Abstract: |
Twenty years ago, there was no Office of Prevention and Victims
Services, let alone a separate but equal branch for victims in
the California Youth Authority (CYA). Currently, there are more
than 18,000 victims of juvenile crime tracked by staff at
institutions and parole offices, as well as at the CYA's
headquarters in Sacramento. It is not unusual for the courts to
impose only cursory fines and restitution orders without serious
consideration of the actual losses to crime victims. CYA has been
conducting training for judges and probation officers on victims'
rights and the importance of imposing restitution orders and
fines that take into account what the crime has cost the victims.
Three years ago, the CYA and State Board of Control (BOC) entered
into a joint agreement known as the Victims' Reparation Project.
Through this project, BOC funds three positions in CYA in an
effort to increase restitution fine assessments and collections
and to enhance the identification of Victims of Crime program
claims. In the first 2 years of the project, the percentage of
wards committed to CYA with restitution orders has increased from
49 percent in fiscal year 1996-97 to 77 percent in fiscal year
1998-99. Staff of the Victims Services Division review intake
orders for restitution fines and orders, and when there is
nothing or very little ordered, an inquiry letter is generated to
remind the court about the restitution rights of victims. This
article outlines the wide range of victim assistance provided by
the Victims Services Division of the CYA.
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| Main Term(s): |
Corrections victims services |
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| Index Term(s): |
California; Juvenile justice system; Victim reactions to the Criminal Justice System; Victim services; Victims rights |
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To cite this abstract, use the following link:
http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=185125 |
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