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Abrams, Laura S and Umbreit, Mark S and Gordon, Anne and Umbreit, Mark S. Young Offenders Speak About Meeting Their Victims: Implications for Future Programs.

Victim-offender mediation (VOM) programs have gained considerable popularity in juvenile courts, yet little is known about how these programs actually influence offenders. This paper explores young offenders’ subjective experiences of voluntary participation in a county-run VOM program in Minnesota. The authors conducted in-depth, qualitative interviews with seven young offenders (aged 15-24) and four sets of their parents, who had recently participated in a VOM session with their crime victim(s). Data analysis revealed varying motivations for the offenders’ participation in the sessions, a range of emotional consequences, and some potential for enduring behavior change. Based on these findings, the authors propose guidelines for future practice and research with young people involved in mediation, conferencing, and restorative justice programs. (Author’s abstract)

Adhikain Para sa Karapatang Pambata and Ateneo Human Rights Center. Research on the situation of children in conflict with the law in selected metro Manila cities.

This research project on the situation of children in conflict with the law in selected cities in Metro Manila was conceptualised in order to assist SC-UK and its partners in defining their advocacy agenda on CICL at the local and national levels and help clarify SC-UK’s programme direction, strategies, areas of coverage and target participants. Through quantitative and qualitative information collected in this project, major gaps and abuses that occur in the administration of justice to CICL were identified and corresponding analysis and recommendations were formulated. The project also gave emphasis on the protection measures given to children in conflict with the law through diversion at the different levels of the criminal justice system. Diversion is an essential component of children’s justice, with the purpose of preventing and minimising the children’s entry into the criminal justice system. The promulgation of the Rule on Juveniles in Conflict with the Law by the Supreme Court in 15 April 2002, which provides for diversion in the court level, requires a review of it relevant provisions. The provisions of the Katarungang Pambarangay (barangay1 or village justice) Law as it applies to CICL are likewise analysed in relation to diversion.

Alder, Christine and Wundersitz, Joy. Family Conferencing and Juvenile Justice: The Way Forward or Misplaced Optimism?

An anthology of 11 papers assesses the use and dimensions of family group conferencing (FGC) in Australia and New Zealand. FGCs involves a meeting between the offender and his/her extended family, the victim and his/her supporters, and other relevant parties to discuss the offense and to negotiate appropriate responses. The most innovative and potentially positive aspects of family group conferencing are the involvement of the victim and the young offender's family in decision making. The papers address whether punishment without stigmatization is possible, whether reoffending can be prevented, and if family conferencing represents the best alternative.

Alder, Christine and Wundersitz, Joy. New Directions in Juvenile Justice Reform in Australia

Reviews the adaptations of the New Zealand juvenile justice reforms to Australia, especially the use of family group conferences. After reviewing the history of juvenile justice reforms in Australia, the authors discuss the features of family group conferences, the differences between the New Zealand and Australian versions, and the implications for juvenile justice practice

Allen, Rob. From Punishment to Problem Solving: A New Approach to Children in Trouble.

This report looks at one of the key priorities for the New Labour administration in 1997, dealing with young offenders. Reforming youth justice was not only an end in itself. The new government observed that most adult offenders in the prisons started their offending careers as children and young people. By creating responses to youth crime which were more effective in turning young people away from delinquency, it was hoped to provide substantial benefits for society as a whole. (excerpt)

Allen, Rob. Juvenile Justice Reform in England and Wales

I think the first thing to say is that the reform of the youth justice system has been a big political priority in my country over the last 4 or 5 years. I don’t know if any of you follow politics in the United Kingdom, but in 1997, we had a new government of the Labour Party, lead by Mr. Tony Blair, and this was after a long time in opposition, and in fact he made his reputation in part because of his polices on crime, and he invented a slogan or a saying, ‘Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime’ which sums up the Labour Party approach. They think that we should be quite harsh on criminals, and punish them and so on. But they also recognize that the roots of criminality and crime lay in social conditions, in the depravation, poverty, bad housing and so on. And they are trying to change the way in which people live, in their lives, to make it less likely that they would be criminals too. There was a specific interest in the youth justice system. The government said, ‘if you look at all the people in prison, all of the adults in prison, most of them started to commit the crimes when they were children.’ So if we can make it that this part of the system works better, it would be a good, a very good investment because we would be reducing the number of adult offenders. (excerpt)

Armitage, Steve. Best Practice in Community Partnership to Reduce Youth Offending (Lessons Learned from Eight Years of Practice).

The paper will discuss the issues that have emerged from eight years of partnership between the State Government and the youth sector in Queensland in implementing programs to address the needs of young people at risk of entering the youth justice system. Given the experience and insight that has developed over this time the Department has been able to adopt a more proactive approach to developing collaborative projects targeting specific community concerns. To illustrate best practice in crime prevention, the “Ipswich Project�? will be examined in detail as an example of intersectorial collaboration to develop and implement a project with a “bottom up�? approach across the community and all levels of government. By integrating the key elements of situational and social crime prevention and early intervention this project represents a balanced approach to reducing youth offending within the targeted area.

Ashley, Jessica and Gray, Donyelle L and Newman, Peter and Gray, Donyelle L and Covey, Sharon and Newman, Peter. Spotlight on The Future of BARJ Reform for Illinois: A Vision for the Future

abstract pendingThis article summarizes a longer piece – “Implementing Balanced and Restorative Justice: The Illinois Experience‿ - written by the authors listed above for the Loyola Law Journal. In 1889 Illinois established the first juvenile court. One hundred years later, Illinois adopted the balanced and restorative justice approach in its Juvenile Court Act and initiated a new reform of its juvenile justice system. The authors provide background to the adoption of this approach in Illinois, explain key aspects of BARJ, and identify important questions that must be addressed for the long-term success of the Illinois BARJ initiative.

Balahur, Doina. Romanian juvenile justice system towards its way to restorative practices.

The practice of VOM in Romania has been experimentally undertaken in Bucharest and Craiova. The two experimental centres have been set up in 2002 based on the partnership between the Department of Reintegration from Romanian Ministry of Justice, Centre for Legal Resources and the Foundation Family and Child Care. The technical assistance has been provided by the experts of DFID from UK. According to the aims and objectives of the VOM experiment only those types of crimes have been selected which are based on the criminal complain of the victim (battering, assault and other crimes against the person, insult etc). The persons - victims and young offenders - have been integrated based on their voluntary consent. (excerpt)

Baldry, Anna C and Scali, Melania and Volpini, Laura and Scali, Melania. "Mediation in the Italian juvenile justice system: A mediation service project."

The authors of this article survey the status and function of mediation in the Italian juvenile justice system – at the time of writing, mediation was not available in the adult system in Italian. Restorative justice principles were introduced into the Italian juvenile justice system in 1988 in accord with United Nations’ Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice. Topics discussed include the following: the justice system perspective on the nature of juvenile offending; the administration of mediation within the system; and the development of a new, independent mediation service by a group of experts at the University of Rome.

Bates, Brian. A diverse approach to juvenile offending in the Northern Territory

Brian Bates, Commissioner of Police in the Northern Territory, presents a Juvenile Pre-Court Diversion Scheme being used in that territory as an alternative approach to juvenile offending. Specifically, it is an alternative to an adversarial system in response to juvenile offending. This alternative scheme provides a range of interventions to divert juveniles from the criminal justice system. The paper sketches the background to this approach, describes each of the diversionary interventions, and reports on results from the first nine months of the program’s operations.

Bazemore, Gordon and Day, Susan E. Restoring the Balance: Juvenile and Community Justice

From the perspective of restorative justice, the most significant aspect of crime is that it victimizes citizens and communities. The justice system should focus on repairing this harm by ensuring that offenders are held accountable for making amends for the damage and suffering they have caused. A restorative system would help to ensure that offenders make amends to their victims. Juvenile justice cannot do this alone, however. Restorative justice requires that not only government, but also victims, offenders, and communities be involved in the justice process. The most distinctive feature of restorative justice is its elevation of the role of victims in implementing justice policies. In an effort to achieve a balanced approach to juvenile justice, restorative justice articulates three goals: accountability, public safety, and competency development. Balance is attainable when administrators ensure that equitable resources are allocated to each goal. A table provides the measures for achievement and the priorities for practice for each of these goals. Abstract courtesy of National Criminal Justice Reference Service, www.ncjrs.org.

Bazemore, Gordon and Leip, Leslie and Stinchcomb, Jeanne B and Leip, Leslie. Boundary Changes and the Nexus Between Formal and Informal Social Control: Truancy Intervention as a Case Study in Criminal Justice Expansionism

Among many longstanding debates about roles, purposes, and components of criminal justice (e.g., punishment, deterrence, state intervention, and rehabilitation), one that has gained prominence in the last decade or so has to do with the boundaries between adult criminal justice and juvenile justice. Increasingly, the adult criminal justice system is expanding to include certain juvenile offenses and offenders. Related to this is another boundary question xe2x80x93 namely, the extension of juvenile justice programs to intervene in cases of runaways, incorrigibles, curfew violators, school truancy, and similar behavioral issues. In this context, Bazemore, Leip, and Stinchcomb examine truancy intervention as a general case study in blurring the boundaries between formal and informal social control. To explore this, they highlight a law enforcement-led truancy intervention initiative in an urban county in the United States. They then look at restorative justice ideas and practices as an alternative approach oriented toward building community capacity to provide social support and informal social control in response to deviant behavior and crime.

Bazemore, Gordon and Pranis, Kay and Umbreit, Mark S and Pranis, Kay. Balanced and Restorative Justice for Juveniles: A Framework for Juvenile Justice in the 21st Century

The debate over the future of the juvenile court and the juvenile justice system has been between proponents of a retributive philosophy and advocates of the traditional individual treatment mission. Both punitive approaches and those focused solely on treatment have failed to satisfy basic needs of crime victims, the community and even offenders. This document outlines an alternative philosophy (restorative justice) and a new mission (the balanced approach) which require that juvenile justice systems devote attention to making amends to victims and the community, increasing offender competencies, and protecting the public, through processes in which offenders, victims, and the community are all active participants. A Balanced and Restorative Justice model provides a framework for systemic reform and offers hope for preserving and revitalizing the juvenile justice system.

Bazemore, Gordon and Schiff, Mara F.. Juvenile Justice Reform and Restorative Justice: Building Theory and Policy from Practice

The study's goal was to advance practice, policy, theory, and research in restorative decisionmaking by improving the "fit" among these domains. This national case study featured a quantitative national program inventory and survey, along with a qualitative study that included interviews with a national sample of practitioners, participant observation, and interviews in several communities in two States (Colorado and Minnesota) active in restorative justice decisionmaking. The first chapter of this book defines restorative group conferencing in the context of a larger restorative justice movement and body of practice and policy, followed by a chapter that includes an inventory of the intervention theories that may inform practitioners' work as they anticipate restorative conferencing outcomes. The third chapter presents exploratory descriptive data on the prevalence of restorative conferencing in the United States, with attention to various conferencing models. A presentation and discussion of the qualitative component of the research begins with chapter 4, as it presents the research design for the qualitative study and describes primary and secondary units of analysis and the qualitative sampling protocol. The next three chapters present the data pertinent to how practitioners understand and apply the principles and related theories of restorative justice. The concluding chapter synthesizes theories of practice and considers definitions of "success" that relate to theories of intervention. Conclusions are drawn about the current state of restorative conferencing in the United States and the application of theory to practice in conferencing experiences. Further, the chapter presents issues, propositions, and concerns for future research, policy, and practice. Abstract courtesy of National Criminal Justice Reference Service, www.ncjrs.org.

Bazemore, Gordon and Umbreit, Mark S and O'Brien, Sandra and Umbreit, Mark S. Restorative Juvenile Justice in the States: A National Assessment of Policy Development and Implementation

Balanced and restorative justice, a new framework for juvenile justice reform, seeks to engage citizens and community groups both as clients and resources in a more effective response to youth crime. The approach attempts to ensure that juvenile justice intervention is focused on basic community needs and expectations. Balance is achieved when there is improved public safety, sanctioned juvenile crime, and rehabilitated offenders are reintegrated. Restorative justice emphasizes that crime damages people, communities, and relationships. Sanctioning practices include victim-offender mediation and various community decision-making or conferencing processes. A national telephone survey of restorative justice professionals was conducted. Results showed that virtually every State was implementing some aspect of the restorative justice principles at various levels and in its programs and policies. A majority of the States had crafted or revised their statutes and codes to reflect restorative justice principles and had encouraged their use in the juvenile justice system. Restorative justice reform efforts involve a number of major stakeholders both within and outside of government and often necessitate a significant role to be played by a reform initiator. Under a different approach to reform, the stakeholders are primarily governmentally related and roles are tied to traditional hierarchical and bureaucratic structures and processes. Interview respondents expressed multiple impressions of what constitutes a restorative justice program. Funding and resource availability played a mixed role in restorative justice implementation. Abstract courtesy of the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, www.ncjrs.org.

Bazemore, Gordon and Umbreit, Mark S. Balanced and Restorative Justice for Juveniles. A National Strategy for Juvenile Justice in the 21st Century.

Current approaches in juvenile justice, based on a retributive philosophical framework and the individual treatment mission, have failed to satisfy basic needs of victims, the community and the juveniles themselves. The juvenile justice system should be guided by a restorative philosophy and a balanced approach mission which requires attention to making amends to victims and the community, increasing offender competencies and protecting the public, through processes in which offenders, victims and the community are all active participants. Issues in implementing this new approach are discussed.

Bazemore, Gordon and Umbreit, Mark S. Guide for Implementing the Balanced and Restorative Justice Model

This 88-page report is the result of 5 years of joint development, training, and technical assistance efforts by Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) Project and juvenile justice professionals in the United States. The purpose is to assist juvenile justice professionals in implementing balanced and restorative justice practices in their work. The BARJ mission includes attention to each of three components: accountability, competency development, and community safety. For each of these three components, the report outlines key characteristics of programmatic approaches. The report presents practical information and tools to enable juvenile justice professionals to implement the BARJ philosophy and mission. The report is a guide to the BARJ model not a prescription. Within the general principles and values of restorative justice, implementation may vary based on local resources, traditions, and cultures.

Bazemore, Gordon and Zaslaw, Jay G. and Riester, Danielle and Zaslaw, Jay G.. Behind the walls and Beyond: Restorative Justice, Instrumental Communties, and Effective Residential Treatment

Although restorative justice principles and practice have been applied extensively in community-based juvenile justice settings, implemen- implementation in residential treatment facilities has been far less common. We describe recent experimentation and possibilities for broader application to disciplinary infractions, the response to harm and crime, promoting community and citizen input, “community building�? for conflict resolution skill development and changing the culture of facilities, and reentry. We conceptualize three “communities�? as most relevant to addressing needs of incarcerated youths, their victims, and support groups, and then discuss theoretical frameworks and empirical research supportive of restorative practice in this context. Challenges to implementation of restorative practice, compatibility with other treatment and disciplinary agendas, and concerns about preserving the integrity of the model are also considered. Author's abstract.

Bazemore, Gordon. Crime Victims and Restorative Justice in Juvenile Courts: Judges as Obstacle or Leader?

The central role of crime victims in restorative justice creates a number of dilemmas for offender-driven justice agencies. Neither the traditional juvenile justice response to youth crime focused on the "best interests" of the child nor the new retributive emphasis provide a role for crime victims as recipients of service or participants in juvenile justice. Based on the results of focus groups with juvenile court judges and victims of juvenile crime in four states, this paper presents qualitative findings on judicial support and resistance to the idea of the victim as a "client" of juvenile justice and a coparticipant in the justice process. The implications of restorative justice for reform in juvenile courts are also examined.