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Petterson, Gordon. Restorative justice and the role of the prosecutor/Mediation as an Alternative to Punishment (summary)

The background for establishing a system of mediation between offender and victim in Norway dates back to two central events in the late 1970s The first experimental mediation project was established in 1981 in the municipality of Lier as a part of the project "Alternative to imprisonment of juveniles." (excerpt)

Kemény, Siri Ilona. Victim-Offender Mediation with juvenile offenders in Norway.

The European Commission’s Grotius II Criminal Programme initiated a project to address the need for better understanding of victim-offender mediation practices with juvenile offenders and justice systems in Europe. Under this project, studies were contracted and research papers produced to examine the situation in a number of European countries. Each study covered the following matters: norms and legislation allowing for the implementation of VOM programs; theoretical frameworks of VOM centers; organizational structure of VOM centers; categories and profiles of juvenile offenses; professional characteristics and job satisfaction of mediators; and advantages and criticisms of VOM. The papers were presented and discussed at a final seminar in Bologna, Italy, September 19-20, 2003. Within the categories mentioned above, this particular paper surveys victim-offender mediation with juvenile offenders in Norway.

Paus, Karen Kristin. Victim-offender mediation in Norway

Two key events in the late 1970s provide the background for victim-offender mediation in Norway. In 1976 Nils Christie wrote an article redefining conflicts as property. This alternative to the accepted understanding of crime interpreted crime as "owned" by those directly involved in and affected by the offense: namely, the victim and the offender. They primarily – not the state – had a conflict that required resolution. In 1978 the government’s Report on Criminal Justice pointed towards the desirability of alternatives to incarceration for juveniles. From all of this, the first experimental mediation project began in 1981 in Norway. In 1983 the Ministry of Social Affairs called upon all localities in Norway to establish similar programs. Throughout the 1980s various organizations developed to provide mediation services or to study victim-offender mediation. In the early 1990s national legislation was passed to establish a mediation service program. Mediation is available for juveniles and adults, and for both civil and criminal cases. Prosecutors can refer cases to mediation, and civil cases can also be referred to mediation by the parties themselves. The 1991 Act of Mediation defines the basic principles of mediation as voluntary participation, the parties’ influence on the process and results, and the impartiality of the mediator. In general, mediation occurs in particular circumstances as a part of the overall criminal justice system. With respect to the quality and scope of services provided, there are significant variations among localities. Police receive only a small amount of education concerning mediation services. Mediation Services in Norway works with both victim-offender mediation and other types of mediation (such as school mediation).

Fadnes, Gerd. Development of RJ within the field of serious crimes. Reflections from a pilot project in Norway concerned with mediation in violent cases.

The Department for Civil Affairs in Norway’s Ministry of Justice has initiated a three-year project offering mediation, as a supplement to punishment, to the parties involved in cases of severe violence. The project deals with many kinds of cases of severe violence except for cases of domestic violence. Gerd Fadnes, head of the project, describes the historical background, development, and scope of this small-scale, local pilot program. Fadnes also reflects on lessons learned from the early work of the project about what has worked well and what needs improvement in practice or adjustment of expectations.

Granrud, Merete and Stabekk, Grete. VOM-- Training in Norway.

The Norwegians Mediation Service is regulated by an act called The National Mediation Service Act from 1991. The regulations relating to mediation by the National Mediation Service describes the task and purpose of the National Mediation Service Office. Section 1 states that: The task of the Service is to mediate in conflicts arising because one or more persons have inflicted damage or loss or otherwise offended another person Mediation by the National Mediation Service Office is intended as an alternative to ordinary criminal proceedings and to the resolution of other conflicts the parties themselves shall actively contribute. (excerpt)

Rytterbro, Lise-Lotte. Victim and Offender Viewed From the Perspective of Mediation

In Sweden and Norway, some types of crimes are handled through mediation between the victim and the offender. Only some types of offenders and some types of victims are deemed suitable for this type of criminal justice intervention, however. The author examined the way in which victims and offenders were described by analyzing written and oral statements of the target groups for mediation in Sweden and Norway. The author also examined quantitative data on the victims and perpetrators who usually take part in mediations. The analysis revealed that offenders who were regarded as suitable for participation in mediation tended to be young, first-time offenders. As such, suitable offenders are typically characterized by their age, the seriousness of their offense, and their criminal history. On the other hand, victims who were deemed appropriate for mediation were defined on the basis of whom the crime was committed by, rather than their own characteristics. Victims who were victimized by young people, and who were victimized by less serious offenses were deemed suitable for mediation. In this way, crime policy is affected by the way youthful offenders are constructed as responsible individuals who must be made to pay for their crimes. Abstract courtesy of National Criminal Justice Reference Service,www.ncjrs.org.

Schjelderup, Liv and More, Cecilie. Family Group Conferencing in Norway: Development and Status.

Since the mid-1990’s, family group conferencing has become a part of the child welfare landscape in Norway. Associate Professor Liv Schjelderup and Assistant Professor Cecilie More of the University of Stavanger, Norway provide this overview of the development and use of this intervention.

Lemonne, Anne and Snare, Annika. Restoration and Alternative Solution of Conflicts

This article focuses on the backgrounds of and arguments presented by both the maximalist model and the community empowerment models, within the restorative justice movement. The maximalist model, discussed using the United States’ death row as an example, includes programs designed to establish mediation between offenders and their victims in a prison setting. The community empowerment model demonstrates a shift away from empowering the criminal justice system towards empowering local communities in order to manage conflict resolution. Illustrated by discussing the Norwegian community mediation boards, this article addresses the ways that the divergent models of community empowerment and maximalism coexist within the restorative justice movement.

Family Group Conferencing in Norway: Development and Status.

Since the mid-1990’s, family group conferencing has become a part of the child welfare landscape in Norway. Associate Professor Liv Schjelderup and Assistant Professor Cecilie More of the University of Stavanger, Norway provide this overview of the development and use of this intervention.

The Norwegian System: Restorative Elements

Several recent studies of Norway's justice system reveal a number of restorative elements. Mediation and legal aid for victims are notable examples of restorative influences on the justice system in that country.