Public Opinion Survey about Alternatives to Financial Restitution

Building on a study which found that the harms caused by the crime and the restitution process rarely align, the authors administered a survey to 4200 respondents to assess public opinions about restitution. This report summarizes the findings from the survey, highlighting the importance of addressing individual accountability. The author also presents recommendations for reforming financial restitution. 

Key Findings:

• Almost half of respondents reported that the main purpose of restitution should be on holding the person who committed the crime accountable for the crime they committed; larger proportions of women, Republicans, older generations, Christians (Protestant and Catholic) and people with less than a college degree ranked accountability as the top priority than their counterparts.
• Over two-thirds of respondents responded that all categories provided–medical expenses, property damage, lost income, legal fees, funeral costs, dental expenses, rehabilitation, and counseling – should be covered by restitution funds.
• The largest percentage of respondents (46 percent) said it was important for victims’ healing if the restitution was paid directly by the person who committed the crime against them.
• In terms of alternatives to financial restitution, almost three-quarters chose community service, and over half chose self-improvement activities. Direct interactions with the victims – either in the form of a verbal apology or meeting with the victims – were less popular. 

Recommendations:

• Conduct targeted campaigns to convey the complexity of restitution and the restitution process
• Develop more focused and viable forms of nonfinancial restitution that people can reasonably complete and are geared towards enhancing accountability