Restorative Conferencing for Juveniles in the United States: Prevalence, Process, and Practice (From Restorative Justice: Theoretical Foundations, P 177-203, 2002, Elmar G.M. Weitekamp, Hans-Jurgen Kerner, eds., -- See NCJ-199553)

• NCJ Number: 199560
• Author(s): Mara Schiff; Gordon Bazemore
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 27 pages
• Sale Source: Willan Publishing
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter presents information about restorative conferencing in the United States.

Abstract

The definition of a restorative conference, as used in this research, is any encounter in which those affected by a specific offense or harmful behavior come together in a face-to-face dialogue to discuss the impact of the act and to determine how the harm can be repaired. This encounter follows a finding of guilt and/or an admission of responsibility by offenders choosing to participate. Stakeholders seek a resolution that meets the mutual needs of victim, offender, and community and constructs obligations designed to repair the harm to the greatest extent possible. Data sources were an Internet search of restorative justice programs, a telephone survey of juvenile justice professionals, and a national survey of all known restorative conferencing programs. Findings indicate that juvenile restorative conferencing programs are quite widespread, especially when compared with the lack of programs other than victim-offender mediation as recently as 5 years ago. Results also show differential use of conferencing across States and across counties within States, a preference for different models in some States, and much greater use of some models than others around the country, and within specific States. Almost every State is experimenting with restorative conferencing processes and the vast majority offers at least one program. Programs are most prevalent in California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, New York, Ohio, and Alaska. It is clear that restorative conferencing for young offenders has become increasingly popular as a viable response to youthful offending. Victim-offender mediation and community boards are the most dominant models. There appears to be a trend towards integrating multiple practices within one organization. States using conferencing are both regionally and politically diverse, suggesting there is no tendency for restorative programs to proliferate in a particular geographic region or within a particular political environment. 3 figures, 9 tables, 9 notes, 34 references