PROJECT RESTITUTION
We created Project Restitution in 1981 to provide the court with a sentencing alternative for offenders that is both constructive and appropriate for the offense.
In daily cooperation with the Rhode Island District Court, Justice Assistance ensures that victims of crime are repaid for any loss or damage they have suffered. The objective is to make the offenders aware that they are responsible for the consequences of their actions, and that they have to make amends for their actions. This is accomplished through court-ordered restitution, court-ordered community service or any other court-ordered sanction.
Project Restitution takes pride in offering new beginnings to individual offenders – at the same that it looks out for the interests of the people and businesses who are affected by the offenders.
Our role in the Restitution Process for offenders
Our foremost objective is to make immediate contact with a referred offender to increase the probability of an expeditious and positive completion of the court order. Immediate contact positions Justice Assistance to better facilitate the offender's satisfactory compliance because the arrest experience, the court experience and the significance of the matter remain fresh and familiar. Justice Assistance receives the case in a seamless fashion to see it to its conclusion. Justice Assistance's program objectives regarding the offender include the expectation of accountability and responsibility for what has brought them to this particular juncture in their life. Our goal is to assist the offender in completing their court order in a time and fashion that is agreeable with the court filing timeline and its restrictions. As to the intermediary agent for the court, Justice Assistance instructs and compels the offender to comply with the court order, and, subsequently, Justice Assistance will inform the respective victim of offender's case status.
OFFENDER NOTIFICATION occurs immediately upon receipt of the court referral. As per the Agreement to Provide Services between Justice Assistance and the Rhode Island Supreme Court, Justice Assistance is responsible for the monitoring and follow-through with individuals who receive a one-year filing with a sanction(s) from the Rhode Island District Court. Said sanction(s) may include, but may not be limited to, state-certified domestic violence counseling, mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling and the completion of community service.
OFFENDER RESTITUTION and repayment is established as soon as Statement of Loss has been received and verified from the respective victim. Justice Assistance will assist the offender with establishing a manageable and consistent payment plan. Offender payments go directly to the Rhode Island Central Registry. We actively work with the offender and monitor the offender's payments, reminding him or her of the agreed upon track. Justice Assistance's contact with the offender is frequent, consistent, and always mindful of time frames and limitations.
OFFENDER COMMUNITY SERVICE coordination and placement considerations include the amount of ordered community service hours and a client's ability to travel to a site. The parameters of an acceptable community service site is outlined to each client. Stressed as an important factor is the client's accessibility to the sites to insure appropriate and expedient compliance in completion of the court-ordered community service hours. All site must be approved and verified prior to community service hours being performed. Upon completion, Justice Assistance will receive written notification from approved site and supervisor.