Impact of Restorative Justice on the Development of Guilt, Shame, and Empathy Among Participants in a Victim Impact Training Program

• NCJ Number: 232515
• Journal: Victims & Offenders Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2009 Pages: 1-24
• Author(s): Arrick L. Jackson
• Date Published: January 2009
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated the effect of restorative justice on participants in a victim impact training program.

Abstract

The present study is a panel-design study with the primary goal of examining the effect of a restorative justice program (Victim Impact Training [VIT]) on the development of guilt, shame, and empathy among offenders. The MANCOVA results show no overall significant differences between offenders who participated in the VIT program on their development of guilt, shame, and empathy over time. However, ANCOVA results indicate significant relationships among gender, program type, guilt, shame, and empathy. These findings and their implications are discussed. (Published Abstract)