This report evaluates existing victim offender programs in the U.S. It studied juvenile courts in Albuquerque (NM), Austin (TX), Minneapolis and St. Paul (MN), and Oakland (CA), in terms of the mediation process and outcomes, client satisfaction, perceptions of fairness, cost implications, restitution completion and recidivism.
Description of Study: Comparison study of mediation programs in Albuquerque, Minneapolis, Oakland, and Austin.
Method: Conducted interviews of victims and offenders within a week before mediation and then approximately 2 months after the mediation. Comparison group interviews took place about 2 months after the case disposition date. Also examined case docket information.
Comparative: Yes
Comparison Groups: Those who participated in mediation, those who were referred but did not participate, and those who were not referred
Sample Size: 948 individuals: 531 who participated in mediation and 417 in the two comparison groups
Variables Examined: Satisfaction with the process and outcome, restitution, recidivism rate
Program Variables: Voluntary program mediated by volunteers and staff without charge to the parties. Mediators had at least 20-25 hours of training
Findings: Participants were overall satisfied with the process and the outcome. Restitution completion was greater for mediated cases (ranging from 77% to 93% for mediated cases and 55% to 69% for those not referred) and recidivism was lower (ranging between 13% and 22% for participants compared to a range of 19% to 34% for those not referred to mediation).