NCJ Number
207460
Journal
Crime & Delinquency Volume: 50 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2004 Pages: 487-515
Date Published
October 2004
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This article reports on findings from a statewide survey of volunteers who had served on Vermont Reparative Probation Boards, which meet with probationers to negotiate a "reparative contract" that may include apologies, restitution, and community service.
Abstract
As of January 2000, 292 volunteers were serving on reparative boards in Vermont. Of these, 229 (78 percent) returned the questionnaire, which focused on the demographics and background characteristics of the volunteers, along with their satisfaction with, commitment to, and the community connection of the reparative boards. Compared with Vermont's general population, the board volunteers were older (median age of 54 years). Consistent with Vermont demographics, nearly all were White, and they had stable residential histories compared to the State's general population. The volunteers were also well-educated, with 41 percent having graduate or professional degrees. They were equally divided between men and women and generally viewed their religious faith as important. Most were moderate to liberal in their political orientation, and the majority were experienced board members, having heard large numbers of cases. The vast majority were satisfied with their board participation and believed their membership had increased their enthusiasm for volunteer work, their sense of membership in the community, and their commitment to restorative justice. The board members generally believed they were effective in their work with victims. The authors advise that corrections approaches that routinely involve a wide spectrum of community volunteers have the potential for increasing sustained community representation in corrections decisionmaking and policymaking. 7 tables, 63 references, and appended survey items