The article discusses a study into the relationship between participation in a victim-offender reconciliation program (VORP) and subsequent reoffense by children and adolescents. Two groups of cases were compared - those that participated in a VORP and those that went through a more traditional juvenile justice approach. The study found that VORP participants are less likely to reoffend within a year of their mediation, and if they reoffend, they tend to commit less serious offenses than children and adolescents who go through a more traditional approach.

Description of Study: Looked at the impact of mediation on the recidivism rate and severity of reoffense in juvenile cases in Anderson County, TN.

Method: Examined case records. Controlled for family structure, race, age, gender, last grade completed, number of prior offenses, number of siblings. Mediated and non-mediated cases were matched on the type of crime and admission of guilt.

Comparative: Yes

Comparison Groups: A random sample of juveniles who mediated their cases (approximately 65% of all referred cases) after admitting responsibility and a random sample of juveniles who appeared in court and pleaded guilty prior to the inception of the program

Sample Size: 125 of a population of 193 mediated cases; 150 of a population of 448 non-mediated cases

Variables Examined: Frequency of reoffense, severity of reoffense

Program Variables: Voluntary, free program. Study looked at cases that were filed from the program’s inception in 1986 through the end of 1988.

Findings: The reoffense rate was 19.8% in mediated cases, 33.1% in non-mediated cases. Level 3 (most severe) reoffenses were committed by 5.4% of offenders who participated in mediation, 3.8% of offenders who did not.