NCJ Number
167475
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1996) Pages: 30-34
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article explores and evaluates the victim/offender reconciliation program dealing with juvenile delinquents in Orange County, California.
Abstract
The Victim/Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) is a sentencing alternative whereby offenders agree to meet their victims to discuss the severity of harm caused by the offense and, with the help of a mediator, to decide on a mutually agreed upon amount and type of restitution. Crime victims' high participation in the California VORP indicates that there are some victim needs which are best met through direct contact with offenders. The fact that 49 percent of the cases resulted in a written agreement between victim and offender without monetary restitution shows that not all victims participated simply to recover restitution. Ideally, the process resulted in a better understanding between victims and offenders. The program's facilitation of durable agreements between victims and offenders is also a positive outcome. The study failed to show a significant difference in recidivism rates between program participants and a comparable group of nonparticipants. Further studies are needed before more definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding the effectiveness of the Orange County VORP. Tables, reference