Victim-Offender Reconciliation Programs in North America: An Assessment (From Criminal Justice, Restitution, and Reconciliation, P 125-134, 1990, Burt Galaway and Joe Hudson, eds. -- See NCJ-126460)

• NCJ Number: 126470
• Author(s): R B Coates
• 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 assessment of victim-offender reconciliation programs (VORPs) in North America considers their characteristics, origins and growth, functions, impact and contributions, and dangers and pitfalls.

Abstract

The VORP concept originated in Kitchner, Ontario, in 1974 and was introduced in the United States in 1978. VORP programs exist in 20 States and 5 countries. VORP emerged in the context of heightened interest in crime victims and mediation. The program involves a face-to-face meeting between the offender and victim to discuss the victimization, express feelings and views, and negotiate actions the offender can take to redress victim injuries and losses. The limited data on VORP programs estimate that 3,000 offenders are served annually; the majority are juveniles, although some VORPs specialize in working with adults. Approximately 60 percent of the victims agree to participate in VORP. Participating victims and offenders have been highly satisfied with the process. Evidence on VORP's impact as an alternative to incarceration is mixed. Pitfalls for further VORP development include uncertainty about where VORP fits into the criminal justice system, loss of focus on face-to-face mediation, an emphasis on commercial victims to the exclusion of individual victims, a potential for being engulfed by the system, lack of evaluation, and a loss of balance among multiple goals. 16 references (Author abstract modified)