Department of Corrections Steps Up Collection Efforts

(Concord, N.H.) New Hampshire Department of Corrections Commissioner William L. Wrenn announced that offenders with financial obligations such as fines, fees and restitution to victims or other recipients will receive a monthly payment notice beginning this month.

Over eight-thousand offenders on probation and parole were sent letters in December informing them how much they owed and information on how to make payments. The first round of bills will be sent during the week of January 18, 2010 with bills to be mailed during the third week of every month until their outstanding obligations are collected.

Commissioner Wrenn said, “This utilization of technology will help the Department to become more efficient and effective in the collection of restitution and other fees.”

“This process is similar to the standard business model in which bills are mailed to customers and payment is collected,” Commissioner Wrenn added.

The Department collects and distributes to victims approximately three-million dollars in restitution annually.

“Not all offenders who owe restitution are on probation or parole. Some are administrative or ‘collection only' cases and have less frequent interaction with DOC staff. This new process should expedite restitution collection in these instances,” Commissioner Wrenn said.