Victim-Offender Reconciliation as Alternative Measures Programs in Canada (From Criminal Justice, Restitution, and Reconciliation, P 135-144, 1990, Burt Galaway and Joe Hudson, eds. -- See NCJ-126460)

• NCJ Number: 126471
• Author(s): K Pate
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This review of the use of victim-offender reconciliation programs (VORP's) as one of the diversion measures authorized under the Canadian Youth Offender Act (YOA) focuses on eligibility criteria, referral processes, variations on a reconciliation model, followup and evaluation, programming trends, and administration.

Abstract

The VORP model provides an opportunity for eligible young offenders to take responsibility for their offenses by meeting with their victims or surrogate victims. Most programs use mediation procedures to negotiate victim-offender agreements regarding how the victim may be compensated by the offender for injuries and losses suffered due to the offense. The target population of most Canadian VORP programs consists of relatively novice offenders who have committed minor offenses. Investigating police officers are the primary referral sources for most VORP programs. There must be sufficient evidence to support the allegations before youth are referred to VORP. Offenders who do not complete the VORP negotiated agreement may be formally processed under charges. Testimonial reports from program coordinators indicate that the recidivism rate among VORP participants varies from less than 4 percent in Calgary to an estimated 10-30 percent in other programs throughout Canada. Most of the programs have annual budgets in excess of $40,000. 32 references