This report evaluates existing victim offender programs in the U.S. It studied juvenile courts in Albuquerque (NM), Austin (TX), Minneapolis and St. Paul (MN), and Oakland (CA), in terms of the mediation process and outcomes, client satisfaction, perceptions of fairness, cost implications, restitution completion and recidivism.

The full report is out of print, but an executive summary is available at http://www.cehd.umn.edu/ssw/rjp/Resources/Research/VOM_Analysis_4_US_States.pdf.

Description of Study: Comparison study of mediation programs in Albuquerque, Minneapolis, Oakland, and Austin.

Method: Conducted interviews of victims and offenders within a week before mediation and then approximately 2 months after the mediation. Comparison group interviews took place about 2 months after the case disposition date. Also examined case docket information.

Comparative: Yes

Comparison Groups: Those who participated in mediation, those who were referred but did not participate, and those who were not referred

Sample Size: 948 individuals: 531 who participated in mediation and 417 in the two comparison groups

Variables Examined: Satisfaction with the process and outcome, restitution, recidivism rate

Program Variables: Voluntary program mediated by volunteers and staff without charge to the parties. Mediators had at least 20-25 hours of training

Findings: Participants were overall satisfied with the process and the outcome. Restitution completion was greater for mediated cases (ranging from 77% to 93% for mediated cases and 55% to 69% for those not referred) and recidivism was lower (ranging between 13% and 22% for participants compared to a range of 19% to 34% for those not referred to mediation).