NCJ Number
87526
Date Published
1982
Length
151 pages
Annotation
Evaluation of the PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision) Mediation Project in New York City indicates that mediation can be a cost- and service-effective alternative to the court process for a good proportion of status offenders and their families.
Abstract
The study gathered data from two sets of families -- those who opted for mediation to handle their child's problem and those who continued with the normal court process -- on their socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds, as well as their perceptions of family problems, the court, the use of authority, and psychosocial processes. Both sets found the projects helpful in resolving their problems. Families going to court considered themselves stricter, had children with runaway behavior, and were more likely to prefer placement as a solution to their children's problems. While families reporting satisfaction with the court procedure attributed this to the fact that their children were placed outside the home, families undergoing mediation often credited the service with improving intrafamily communication. Thus, different types of families seek different outcomes; their evaluation of the service they receive reflects those expectations. This suggests that families should be counseled at the outset to set realistic goals and be aware of what the court can offer. Mediation was most successful with families whose children were older than 13 years, had no prior PINS experience, and took an active interest in the sessions. Study data and nine references are provided.