Even the most hardened of criminal are less likely to reoffend if they meet their victims face-to-face, says Correctional Service research. .“The program shows promise in reducing recidivism,” said a report..“The trend suggested that after one year of release offenders involved in a face-to-face meeting had fewer returns to custody despite lower integration potential.”.Blacklock's Reporter said figures indicated convicts who spoke face-to-face with their victims had a 9% chance of reoffending within a decade. It compared to an average recidivism rate of 23 to 32% for all federal prisoners..“There are many factors that may influence an offender’s success post release,” wrote staff..“Therefore it cannot be concluded that participation in a face-to-face meeting has a causal relationship with success upon release.”.Convicts and victims had to mutually agree to meetings. Prisoners most likely to participate in mediation were men, Caucasian, 42, who “identified as practicing a religion or holding a spiritual belief,” wrote researchers..Participants included prisoners convicted of murder, attempted murder, sexual assault, vehicular homicide and other violent crimes..Most meetings, 60%, were requested by convicts not victims..“The large difference is likely due to more exposure to the restorative opportunities program in institutions through parole officers, chaplains and community based restorative justice groups,” said the report..Voluntary mediation was introduced in 1991..“For victims, they reported having greater control over their safety and their lives and that the process offered them a measure of closure,” said the report..“For offenders, in addition to personal growth they reported having a greater commitment to addressing their criminogenic needs.”.The earlier research concluded indigenous men were more likely to reoffend within five years, a total 60%. Caucasian inmates (40% were likelier to re-offend than blacks (36%) and Southeast Asians (19%)..Men of all races were more likely to re-offend than women.
Even the most hardened of criminal are less likely to reoffend if they meet their victims face-to-face, says Correctional Service research. .“The program shows promise in reducing recidivism,” said a report..“The trend suggested that after one year of release offenders involved in a face-to-face meeting had fewer returns to custody despite lower integration potential.”.Blacklock's Reporter said figures indicated convicts who spoke face-to-face with their victims had a 9% chance of reoffending within a decade. It compared to an average recidivism rate of 23 to 32% for all federal prisoners..“There are many factors that may influence an offender’s success post release,” wrote staff..“Therefore it cannot be concluded that participation in a face-to-face meeting has a causal relationship with success upon release.”.Convicts and victims had to mutually agree to meetings. Prisoners most likely to participate in mediation were men, Caucasian, 42, who “identified as practicing a religion or holding a spiritual belief,” wrote researchers..Participants included prisoners convicted of murder, attempted murder, sexual assault, vehicular homicide and other violent crimes..Most meetings, 60%, were requested by convicts not victims..“The large difference is likely due to more exposure to the restorative opportunities program in institutions through parole officers, chaplains and community based restorative justice groups,” said the report..Voluntary mediation was introduced in 1991..“For victims, they reported having greater control over their safety and their lives and that the process offered them a measure of closure,” said the report..“For offenders, in addition to personal growth they reported having a greater commitment to addressing their criminogenic needs.”.The earlier research concluded indigenous men were more likely to reoffend within five years, a total 60%. Caucasian inmates (40% were likelier to re-offend than blacks (36%) and Southeast Asians (19%)..Men of all races were more likely to re-offend than women.
