Victim-Offender Mediation as the Preferred Response to Property Offenses (From Crime and Its Victims: International Research and Public Policy Issues, P 101-112, 1989, Emilio C Viano, ed. -- See NCJ-119600)

• NCJ Number: 119610
• Author(s): B Galaway
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: Hemisphere Publishing Corp
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Two years experience with a victim-offender reconciliation program in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, confirms previous results regarding the feasibility of implementing such a program.

Abstract

Programs of this nature provide victims with opportunities to participate in the criminal and juvenile justice process, serve penal objectives, have an impact on recidivism equal to or greater than other penal measures, provide a reasonable response to the serious overcrowding of prisons and jails, and enjoy considerable support from both victims and the general public. Victim-offender mediation should be systematically implemented as the preferred response to property victimizations by offenders. In the Minneapolis-St. Paul project, 95 percent of the 135 victim-offender meetings have resulted in negotiation of an agreement acceptable to both victim and offender. The agreements have provided for monetary restitution, community service restitution, or personal service restitution. Victim-offender mediation programs are feasible to implement and are sensible as public policy. 3 tables and bibliography