NCJ Number
136782
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 43 Issue: 1 Dated: (1992) Pages: 21-28
Date Published
1992
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Victim-offender mediation programs that work with the juvenile courts in three jurisdictions were analyzed using data from 868 interviews with crime victims and offenders and included interviews before and after mediation with two different comparison groups.
Abstract
The programs were conducted in Albuquerque, New Mex., starting in January 1988; in Minneapolis, Minn. starting in 1985; and in Oakland, Calif. starting in 1987. The programs are all operated by private, nonprofit, community-based organizations and work mainly with juvenile offenders who have committed property crimes. The analysis indicated that the vast majority of both victims and young offenders experience the mediation process and outcome (restitution agreement) as fair and are satisfied with the program. The mediation process used by the programs resulted in greater satisfaction, greater perception of fairness, and higher restitution completion rates than found in a matched sample of victims and offenders who were not referred to mediation. Tables and 17 references (Author abstract modified)