NCJ Number
103713
Date Published
1984
Length
35 pages
Annotation
A juvenile mediation program operating in Buffalo, N.Y., was evaluated based on clients' perceptions regarding the program's helpfulness, fairness, and impacts.
Abstract
The program begun in February 1983 deals with minor disputes. Study data came from 41 people (who participated in telephone interviews and who completed questionnaires) who had been program clients between February and December 1983. Nineteen were respondents, and 22 were complainants. Twenty-eight were juveniles, with most juveniles from intact families. Participants viewed their participation as voluntary, although they did not necessarily understand the program. They viewed the mediators as fair and helpful and found the process useful. Juvenile clients were somewhat more satisfied than nonjuveniles with the procedures, the mediators, and the final agreement. Agreements involving behavior change or financial transactions were more effective than agreements involving no further contact. Future relationships between disputants were better for mediation participants than for nonparticipants. The Juvenile Mediation Program should provide better information about mediation to both clients and referral sources. The program also needs to gather more information about the impact of its services and the long-term outcomes to assure the achievement of its major goals. Tables, appended study instrument, and three references.