The purpose of juvenile restitution is to financially compensate the crime survivor for their loss and to hold the young person accountable for their actions. In San Francisco, crime survivors rarely receive compensation and most of the young people who owe restitution live in poverty and do not have the money to pay restitution. In response, in January 2022, San Francisco launched the Aims to Foster Transformation and Ensure Restitution (AFTER) program. The program is intended to demonstrate more effective alternatives to the traditional restitution system. Through the program, crime survivors are financially compensated faster from a fund established at the District Attorney’s Office and youth may make amends by performing community service, attending workshops and educational classes, receiving job training, or participating in restorative justice conferences. This report presents findings from the program’s first year and outlines key elements and next steps for the program.
Access the full report here.