A state task force released a report that finds a startlingly low number of victims ever receive full restitution.
The Restitution in PA Task Force says they hope their report is a wake up call that the restitution system needs to change.
They came up with four main points including uniformity and coordination of information.
The Restitution in Pennsylvania Task Force found that in the last three years, state crime victims collected just $50 million of $434 million dollars in restitution.
Another slap, they say in a victim’s face.
“Unfortunately victims do not choose to be crime victims,” stated Andrew Barnes, Director of Victim Services for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. “That final piece may write off, but ultimately the rest is a small way to try make the whole crime easier on the victim.”
Barnes is the Director of Victim Services for the Department of Corrections. He served on the Task Force and helped the 39-member team decipher the lack of uniformity in restitution collection across the state.
Their report is full of recommendations.
Barnes says the changes are needed, but acknowledges this is just a starting point.
Still, he says it is an issue everyone should care about because anyone can become a victim forced to deal with the aftermath of the crime.
The task force met over a 12-month period.
The Restitution in PA Task Force says they hope their report is a wake up call that the restitution system needs to change.
They came up with four main points including uniformity and coordination of information.
The Restitution in Pennsylvania Task Force found that in the last three years, state crime victims collected just $50 million of $434 million dollars in restitution.
Another slap, they say in a victim’s face.
“Unfortunately victims do not choose to be crime victims,” stated Andrew Barnes, Director of Victim Services for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. “That final piece may write off, but ultimately the rest is a small way to try make the whole crime easier on the victim.”
Barnes is the Director of Victim Services for the Department of Corrections. He served on the Task Force and helped the 39-member team decipher the lack of uniformity in restitution collection across the state.
Their report is full of recommendations.
Barnes says the changes are needed, but acknowledges this is just a starting point.
Still, he says it is an issue everyone should care about because anyone can become a victim forced to deal with the aftermath of the crime.
The task force met over a 12-month period.