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Summary

Hughes, S and Schneider, A. (1988). Victim-Offender Mediation: A Survey of Program Characteristics and Perceptions of Effectiveness Crime & Delinquency 35(2):217-233.

This survey of 240 juvenile justice organizations in the U.S. investigates the characteristics and effectiveness of victim-offender mediation. Mediation programs were most often governed by private/nonprofit organizations and received referrals primarily from the court or probation/intake officials. The majority of mediators were paid staff members who were almost always trained in mediation. The final contract usually involved monetary restitution to the victim, and this was monitored in most cases. Programs were not usually evaluated. In general, staff workers were less optimistic than program administrators in assessing the effectiveness of mediation, and more positive concerning the effects of incarceration and probation.

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