THE OVERVIEW REFLECTS THE PROCEEDINGS OF A SYMPOSIUM ON RESTITUTION HELD IN MINNESOTA IN NOVEMBER 1977. SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS EMPHASIZED FOUR FEATURES OF THE CONCEPT OF RESTITUTION: THE WIDE VARIETY OF THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES FROM WHICH RESTITUTION CAN BE CONSIDERED; THE DIVERSITY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE STAGES AT WHICH RESTITUTION IS USED; THE DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH RESTITUTION IS APPROACHED AT EACH STAGE; AND THE WIDESPREAD ACADEMIC, LEGISLATIVE, AND AGENCY INTEREST BEING GENERATED BY THE CONCEPT OF RESTITUTION. ISSUES SURROUNDING THE DEFINITION OF RESTITUTION ARE DISCUSSED, AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF RESTITUTION-BASED PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PENAL THEORY ARE CONSIDERED. THE DISCUSSION ALSO TOUCHES ON THE ROLE OF VICTIMS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS, LEGISLATIVE AND COURT ACTIONS PERTAINING TO RESTITUTION, AND RESEARCH DEVELOPMENTS. IT IS PREDICTED THAT THE NUMBER AND VARIETY OF RESTITUTION PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW RAPIDLY, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)