This article outlines the findings from a study of two very different juvenile restitution programs: a post-adjudication victim-offender mediation program in Elkhart, Indiana, and a pre-adjudication diversion program in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The study focused on the recidivism and restitution rates for both programs and found that they were about the same: 76% of the juveniles in the Elkhart sample and 78% of those in the Kalamazoo sample successfully completed their restitution contracts, while the Elkhart program experienced a recidivism rate after two years of 29% and the Kalamazoo program saw a recidivism rate of 27%.

Description of Study: Examined the impact of post-adjudication mediation and pre-adjudication diversion programs on restitution and recidivism.

Method: Files were examined for cases filed during a two-year period (January 1987 to December 1988) and data was collected on randomly selected juveniles in Indiana and Michigan

Comparative: Yes

Comparison Groups: Random samples of cases participating in post-adjudication mediation in Indiana and in pre-adjudication diversion program in Michigan

Sample Size: 114 juveniles who participated in mediation; 109 juveniles who participated in a diversion program (equal to 50% of participants)

Variables Examined: Restitution rate, recidivism rate

Program Variables: Voluntary program

Findings: The recidivism rate after two years in the mediation program in Indiana was 28.7%. In the pre-adjudication program in Michigan it was 27.05%. The restitution rate was 76% in Indiana and 78% in Michigan. The programs were less effective for repeat offenders.