NCJ Number
59591
Date Published
1979
Length
21 pages
Annotation
THIS ANNUAL RESEARCH REPORT DESCRIBES THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIATION PILOT PROJECT IN OREGON.
Abstract
IN JUNE 1978, 3 NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIATION CENTERS WERE ESTABLISHED IN THE PORTLAND AREA WITH A TOTAL OF 15 CENTER STAFF AND 15 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER MEDIATORS. DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION, 756 COMPLAINANTS WERE REFERRED TO THE PILOT PROJECT BY A WIDE VARIETY OF REFERRAL SOURCES. EACH OF THE THREE MEDIATION CENTERS RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY THE SAME NUMBER OF REFERRALS. THE MAJORITY OF DISPUTES HANDLED INVOLVED MULTIPLE CRIMINAL OR CIVIL COMPLAINTS, OR BOTH. OVER 80 PERCENT OF THE DISPUTANTS INTERVIEWED WERE WHITE, 59 PERCENT WERE WOMEN. LESS THAN HALF OF THE COMPLAINANTS AND RESPONDENTS HAD LIVED AT THEIR RESIDENCE FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS. DURING THE YEAR, THE CENTERS RECEIVED AND RESPONDED TO REFERRALS FROM 54 CITY, 9 COUNTY, AND 5 NEIGHBORHOOD AREAS FOR A TOTAL OF 68 DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS SERVICED BY THE PROJECT. IN ADDITION, 70 PERCENT OF THE DISPUTANTS WERE INTERVIEWED WITHIN 2 DAYS OF THE INITIAL PHONE INTAKE, AND 95 PERCENT HAD HAD NO FURTHER CONTACT WITH A LAW ENFORCEMENT OR SERVICE AGENCY SINCE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE MEDIATION PROCESS. IN JUNE 1979, 32 WRITTEN QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SENT TO REFERRAL AGENCIES OF THE PROJECT, RESULTING IN A 91 PERCENT RESPONSE RATE FOR THIS REPORT. TABULAR AND STATISTICAL DATA, FOLLOWUP QUESTIONNAIRES, AND DIAGRAMS ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)