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Intervention Summary

Victim Offender Restitution Services (VORS)

Victim Offender Restitution Services (VORS) is a voluntary victim-offender mediation program for urban youth and adolescents who have been arrested for the first or second time for nonviolent crimes such as graffiti vandalism, shoplifting, "joy riding," burglary, and assaults without a weapon. Based on restorative justice, VORS emphasizes that a crime is an offense against a victim as well as State-enforced norms. The goal of VORS is to alter the way youth offenders think about criminal activity by having them focus on their accountability and repair the harm done to their victim and thereby reduce involvement in the justice system.

The core of the program is the transformational mediation session, attended by the victim, the offender, the offender's parent or guardian, and facilitated by one or two volunteer mediators. The session provides the offender an opportunity to demonstrate remorse and experience feelings of empathy toward the victim. The victim also gets to express the pain or discomfort experienced as a result of the crime. The youth may take responsibility for his or her actions through verbal statements and a written agreement to make some form of restitution to the victim. The 1- to 1.5-hour session includes the following components:

  1. Introduction: To create a safe and structured environment for communication, the mediators set the ground rules and the victim and offender agree to them
  2. Narrative: The offender describes what happened and acknowledges his or her responsibility for the crime, and the victim expresses the hurt, pain, and loss associated with the event
  3. Reaching an agreement: The victim and offender discuss restitution (money, community service, and/or letter of apology), and the agreement is documented, signed by both parties, and subsequently forwarded to the referral agency 
  4. Closure and congratulations: Mediators thank the victim and offender for participating

An important feature of VORS is that participation is completely voluntary and confidential for the offender and victim. If either party chooses not to participate, the offender is returned to the referring agency within the criminal justice system.

To become a certified VORS mediator, volunteers must complete 25 hours of training and commit to participate in 1 at least mediation per month, for a total of 12 mediation sessions. The offenders included in the study reviewed for this summary were ages 13-17 years.

Descriptive Information

Areas of Interest Mental health promotion
Outcomes
1: Youth restitution
2: Youth recidivism
Outcome Categories Crime/delinquency
Ages 13-17 (Adolescent)
Genders Male
Female
Races/Ethnicities Asian
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino
White
Race/ethnicity unspecified
Settings School
Workplace
Other community settings
Geographic Locations Urban
Implementation History The intervention was created to serve south and southwest Los Angeles County, California, and later expanded to serve all of Los Angeles County. Operated under the auspices of a collaboration team composed of all agencies in the juvenile justice system and headed by the Presiding judge, VORS has conducted over 5300 mediations.  The implementing agency is Centinela Youth Services (CYS), formerly known as Centinela Valley Juvenile Diversion Project.  Other agencies have been assisted in replicating the program in San Diego, California and Memphis, Tennessee.
NIH Funding/CER Studies Partially/fully funded by National Institutes of Health: No
Evaluated in comparative effectiveness research studies: Yes
Adaptations All program materials for clients have been translated into Spanish.
Adverse Effects No adverse effects, concerns, or unintended consequences were identified by the developer.
IOM Prevention Categories Indicated

Quality of Research

Documents Reviewed

The documents below were reviewed for Quality of Research. The research point of contact can provide information regarding the studies reviewed and the availability of additional materials, including those from more recent studies that may have been conducted.

Study 1

Carr, C. R., & Nelson, P. Centinela Valley's Victim Offender Restitution Services: A report for the Administrative Offices of the Court, Judicial Council of California.

Supplementary Materials

Evje, A., & Cushman, R. C. Summary of the evaluation of six victim offender reconciliation programs. Judicial Council of California, Center for Families, Children, and the Courts.

Outcomes

Outcome 1: Youth restitution
Description of Measures Data on youth restitution (i.e., monetary payment to victims, community service) were collected from two databases: The Centinela Youth Services (CYS) VCM 3.2 data collection and tracking system was used to collect data on the intervention group, and the Los Angeles County Department of Probation manual case file system was used to collect data on the comparison group.
Key Findings A study compared youth who participated in VORS with those who received treatment as usual from the Los Angeles County Probation Department. The VORS group consisted of a random sample of offenders who, along with their victims, agreed to participate in mediation. The comparison group consisted of a random sample of youth who agreed to participate in mediation but whose victims did not agree to participate. Findings from this study include the following:

  • Of the youth in the VORS group, 50% agreed to pay monetary restitution during mediation, compared with 25% in the comparison group that were ordered to pay restitution by the court (p < .05). A higher percentage of VORS than comparison group youth completed payment (62% vs. 5%; p < .01).
  • The VORS participants agreeing to pay restitution agreed to pay a total of $19,113.86, of which $12,482.96 (65%) was paid. Of the comparison group participants who were ordered to pay restitution, about one-third were ordered to pay a specified amount totaling $5,235.62, of which $40.00 (0.8%) was paid. The remaining comparison group participants, who were ordered to pay an unspecified amount, did not pay any restitution.
  • Of the youth in the VORS group, 82% agreed to perform community service during mediation, compared with 33% in the comparison group that were ordered to perform community service by the court (p < .001). A higher percentage of VORS than comparison group youth completed community service (58% vs. 7%; p < .001).
  • Of the total number of community service hours agreed or ordered to be performed, a higher percentage was performed by VORS than comparison group youth (48% vs. 4%).
Studies Measuring Outcome Study 1
Study Designs Quasi-experimental
Quality of Research Rating 2.4 (0.0-4.0 scale)
Outcome 2: Youth recidivism
Description of Measures Data on youth recidivism were collected at 1-year follow-up (1 year after the completion of the mediation process for the intervention group and 1 year after closing of the case for the comparison group) from the Juvenile Automated Index (JAI) computer system. The JAI computer system includes arrest histories and is maintained by the Los Angeles County Probation and Superior Court. Recidivism was defined as an arrest for any criminal offense.
Key Findings A study compared youth who participated in VORS with those who received treatment as usual from the Los Angeles County Probation Department. The VORS group consisted of a random sample of offenders who, along with their victims, agreed to participate in mediation. The comparison group consisted of a random sample of youth who agreed to participate in mediation but whose victims did not agree to participate. At 1-year follow-up, the percentage of youth who were rearrested was lower in the intervention than comparison group (15.0% vs. 30.9%; p < .01).
Studies Measuring Outcome Study 1
Study Designs Quasi-experimental
Quality of Research Rating 2.4 (0.0-4.0 scale)

Study Populations

The following populations were identified in the studies reviewed for Quality of Research.

Study Age Gender Race/Ethnicity
Study 1 13-17 (Adolescent) 70.1% Male
29.9% Female 		57.3% Hispanic or Latino
29.1% Black or African American
8.1% White
3.8% Asian
1.7% Race/ethnicity unspecified

Quality of Research Ratings by Criteria (0.0-4.0 scale)

External reviewers independently evaluate the Quality of Research for an intervention's reported results using six criteria:

  1. Reliability of measures
  2. Validity of measures
  3. Intervention fidelity
  4. Missing data and attrition
  5. Potential confounding variables
  6. Appropriateness of analysis

For more information about these criteria and the meaning of the ratings, see Quality of Research.

Outcome Reliability
of Measures 		Validity
of Measures 		Fidelity Missing
Data/Attrition 		Confounding
Variables 		Data
Analysis 		Overall
Rating
1: Youth restitution 2.5 4.0 0.5 4.0 2.0 1.5 2.4
2: Youth recidivism 2.5 4.0 0.5 4.0 2.0 1.5 2.4

Study Strengths

The study outcomes of restitution and recidivism were behavioral and objective in nature, were measured by single items from administrative databases, and have exceptionally high face validity. Strong efforts were made to maximize the reliability of data collected by database managers and study evaluators. There were no attrition and missing data issues needing adjustment.

Study Weaknesses

The process used by independent investigators to assess the reliability of outcome measures was not fully explained. No measures were used to assess intervention fidelity as it was delivered by staff/mediators to participants under study. Potentially confounding variables (including the nature and severity of the crime committed, environmental factors, other interventions occurring following the original arrest, and risk factors such as mental illness and substance use disorders) were not adequately taken into account in the analyses and may have affected the outcomes.
Readiness for Dissemination

Materials Reviewed

The materials below were reviewed for Readiness for Dissemination. The implementation point of contact can provide information regarding implementation of the intervention and the availability of additional, updated, or new materials.

Centinela Youth Services, Inc. Victim-Offender Restitution Services (VORS) mediation training manual. Hawthorne, CA.

Referral Packet for Referral Source

Since the review, new implementation materials have been released.  New materials include materials for implementation (forms, letters, etc. for VORS), an implementation manual for starting and implementing a VORS program, a training manual for VORS (training volunteer mediators who facilitate the mediations), a video of the mediation training delivered by University of Minnesota, a training manual for the trainer of the volunteers, a sample agenda for the training, and an overview of the package and a summary of research done on VORS and similar programs.  Please note, however, that the readiness for dissemination evaluation below is based upon the older materials. 

Readiness for Dissemination Ratings by Criteria (0.0-4.0 scale)

External reviewers independently evaluate the intervention's Readiness for Dissemination using three criteria:

  1. Availability of implementation materials
  2. Availability of training and support resources
  3. Availability of quality assurance procedures

For more information about these criteria and the meaning of the ratings, see Readiness for Dissemination.

Implementation
Materials 		Training and Support
Resources 		Quality Assurance
Procedures 		Overall
Rating
3.0 1.9 1.8 2.2

Dissemination Strengths

The printed materials (i.e., training manual, materials in the referral packet) and program Web site provide sufficient implementation guidance. The materials are efficiently organized. Software is available allowing implementers to generate personalized case sheets and other reports. The program Web site provides information about training options for program coordinators, case managers, and mediators. The developer offers forms that can be used to support fidelity, including those assessing client satisfaction and mediator training, and encourages implementers to seek support for outcome evaluation through collaboration with juvenile justice partners.

Dissemination Weaknesses

The original printed materials are of low quality and contain typographical errors. Many of the materials are tailored to the California juvenile justice system and require significant revisions to be used in other states. Training opportunities, consultation, and program support are limited. A standardized training manual for program coordinators and case managers is not available. The materials lack protocols and instruments for directly measuring implementation fidelity, as well as instructions for using the client satisfaction forms. There is no systematic way to provide feedback to the developer. No standardized protocol or quality assurance mechanisms are readily available to assess outcomes.
Costs

The cost information below was provided by the developer. Although this cost information may have been updated by the developer since the time of review, it may not reflect the current costs or availability of items (including newly developed or discontinued items). The implementation point of contact can provide current information and discuss implementation requirements.

Item Description Cost Required by Developer
Comprehensive Package includes: mediation training curriculum, manuals and supplemental materials and forms needed for conducting VORS mediations and for the training of mediators. Materials include: A) Training manuals for volunteer mediators & Train-the-Trainer manuals B) All of the case-management and mediation forms (Spanish and English) C) Video selections of recent trainings conducted by staff of CYS and U of Minnesota Restorative Justice Center D) 3 months of video/phone consultations $4,000 per agency Yes, one option is required for evidence-based results
Premium Package includes: items in the Comprehensive Package plus A) The Train-the-Implementer manual and materials to start, administrate and sustain a VORS program. B) 4 day off-site (in Los Angeles) training on how to start, operate and sustain a VORS program - for program leader(s) C) On-going Technical Assistance on program implementation and evaluation D) 6 months of video/phone consultations Note: consultation on customization of packages available on request $8,000 per agency ($750 for D) Yes, one option is required for evidence-based results
Database "VORS Connect" - Web-based software for case management, tracking and evaluation with source codes provided for you to customize your system $7,000 per agency (unlimited licenses) Not required (but recommended)
32 hours off-site (in Los Angeles) VORS mediation training as part of volunteer class $2,000 per person Not required (but recommended)

Additional Information

Note: The Costs section provides costs of new materials that have been released since the review was completed.  Please note, however, that the readiness for dissemination evaluation is based upon the older materials.  Below is the list of new materials: 

Program Implementation Materials Centinela Youth Services, Inc. 

Umbreit, M. & Lewis, T. Victim-Offender Restitution Services (VORS) program implementation manual. Hawthorne, CA: Centinela Youth Services, Inc. 

Umbreit, M. & Lewis, T. Victim-Offender Restitution Services (VORS) mediation training manual. Hawthorne, CA: Centinela Youth Services, Inc. 

Umbreit, M. & Lewis, T. Victim-Offender Restitution Services (VORS) train the trainer manual. Hawthorne, CA: Centinela Youth Services, Inc. 

Sample agenda for training.

Background on the Program and on the Materials needed to Replicate the Evidence-Based Victim Offender Restitution Services (VORS). Hawthorne, CA: Centinela Youth Services, Inc.

Video of mediation training delivered by University of Minnesota.

All training materials were prepared with the University of Minnesota, Center for Restorative Justice, Dr. Mark Umbreit, Director.