NCJ Number
120324
Date Published
1989
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A mediation experiment in Vantaa, Finland in 1984-1985 was undertaken to give the community and individuals more power in determining criminal justice, to develop the communication skills of the people, and to shift emphasis from punishment to compensation.
Abstract
The experiment operated on the premises that conflict is a normal part of communication; that solutions should be worked out as quickly as possible; and that open-mindedness and nonjudgmental interaction is to be encouraged and can unite community members. Mediators were unpaid volunteers who were trained to balance power differentials in negotiations. Roughly 140 cases were handled, mostly minor violent and minor property offenses. In 52 cases, a written compensation agreement was prepared, and in 12 cases, a promise was given that the conflict would be resolved. It appears that mediation works best when there is a true interpersonal conflict between the participants that does not require an expert (such as a psychologist or lawyer). An outline of the mediation process is included.