NCJ Number
136851
Date Published
Unknown
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a Victim Offender Reconciliation Project (VORP) for juvenile offenders, operated by a private agency in Elkhart County, Indiana. Data were collected in 1987 and 1988 on participating offenders who were followed through 1990. Program effectiveness was measured in terms of offenders' repayments to their victims and offender recidivism.
Abstract
VORP is a specific form of conflict resolution in which the victim and offender meet in face-to-face encounters. The mediation and reconciliation processes are designed to make the offender take responsibility for his actions and recompense the victim's damages through financial reimbursement and community service. The findings showed that victims were not guaranteed compensation for all their damages and, in fact, some victims did not receive full compensation. Secondly, the results indicated that participation in VORP was only a stop-gap measure for reducing recidivism as juveniles with prior offense histories did not reoffend only during the period in which they were under restitutive supervision. 4 tables and 23 references