Official: Restitution system not working for victims

LITTLE ROCK (AP) — An Arkansas official says the state's restitution system needs to be overhauled because of difficulty collecting payments.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports Dan Roberts, Arkansas Community Correction deputy director, spoke to the state prison board last week. He said a statewide central agency needs to be established for collection, disbursement and enforcement of all restitution orders in the state.

The Community Correction Restitution Committee compiled a report outlining suggestions for improving the state's collection system. Recommendations include requiring that all restitution be paid in full before any offender on parole or probation is allowed to transfer out of the state, implementing a "restitution lien," which would allow victims legal access to offenders' assets if restitution is not paid in full and tying public-assistance eligibility to restitution payment compliance.

The report cited a 2002 study of Pennsylvania probationers that found that offenders who paid their court-ordered restitution were less likely to be arrested for a new crime because the offender "has the opportunity to take responsibility for the injury and to accept accountability to the victim and society."

Roberts told the board that the proposal is meant to open discussions and planning.

"Something has to change because people are not getting their restitution," Arkansas Board of Corrections member Mary Parker-Reed said at last week's board meeting.

Board Chairman Benny Magness said he would like to reach out to prosecutors and members of the Arkansas Sheriff's Association to ask if they would sit on the committee.

"We need to set up a meeting and see how much other entities want to see changed," Magness said.