Restorative Justice and Youth Offenders in Nebraska

I. Introduction to Restorative Processes ... A. Underlying Purposes of Restorative Justice ... 1. Focus on Accountability ... 2. Victim-Centered ... 3. Reintegration into the Fabric of Society ... B. Types of Restorative Justice Processes ... 1. Sentencing Circles or Peacemaking Circles ... 2. Victim-Offender Mediation ... 3. Victim-Offender Conferencing or Dialogue ... 4. Family Group Conferencing ... 5. Problem-Solving Courts ... 6. Truth Commissions ... C. Established Success of Restorative Justice Practices ... D. Authority to Engage in Restorative Justice Processes II. History of Restorative Practices in Nebraska ... A. Family Group Conferencing ... B. Victim-Offender Mediation ... C. Problem-Solving Courts III. New Victim-Youth Conferencing Initiatives in Nebraska ... A. Victim-Youth Conferencing in Nebraska ... 1. Case Sources ... a. Schools ... b. Diversion ... c. Probation ... 2. Funding Sources ... 3. VYC Process ... a. Intake and Initial Sessions with the Youth and Victim ... b. Victim-Youth Conference ... i. What Happened? ... ii. What Was the Effect? ... iii. How Can the Situation Be Made Better? ... c. Follow-Up ... d. Confidentiality and Privilege ... B. Outcomes of Victim-Youth Conferencing ... 1. Restitution ... 2. Apologies ... a. Benefits to Victim ... b. Benefits to Youth Offender ... c. Benefits to Community ... 3. Community Service ... 4. Other Remedies ... C. Use of Surrogates in Victim-Youth Conferencing ... D. Pilot Project Results and Additional Research and Assessment Findings to Date ... E. Critiques of the Program ... 1. Structural Critiques ... a. High Incentives to Participate and Complete the Program ... b. Participants Admit Fault ... c. Apologies May Be Insincere ... 2. Programmatic Critiques ... a. Low Case Volume Outside of Lancaster County/Lincoln Area ... b. Low Facilitator Diversity ... c. No Permanent Funding (Yet) IV. Conclusion