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Summary

Umbreit, Mark S (1994). Victim Meets Offender: The Impact of Restorative Justice and Mediation. Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press.

This study evaluates voluntary victim-offender mediation programs operating in 4 juvenile courts in Oakland, CA, Minneapolis, MN, Albuquerque, NM and Austin, TX. Data were obtained from interviews with 1,153 victims and offenders. Victim-offender programs resulted in very high levels of satisfaction among both victims and offenders. More than 90% of mediation sessions produced a negotiated restitution plan to compensate the victim, and more than 80% of offenders complied with their restitution obligations. Victim-offender mediation helped reduce fear and anxiety among crime victims. Recidivism differences were not statistically significant.