NCJ Number
178604
Editor(s)
Ben Wachtel,
Ted Wachtel
Date Published
1995
Length
124 pages
Annotation
Intended for police, educators, juvenile probation officers, and others who want to use family group conferencing to address incidents of juvenile crime or school misconduct, this manual provides training in the coordination of "family group conferences."
Abstract
Family group conferencing, sometimes called "community accountability conferencing," was initiated in New Zealand, then substantially modified for use by police and educators in Australia, and has now spread to North America. The family group conference emphasizes reintegrative shaming. While the offending juvenile feels the disapproval of his family, friends, and the victims, the conference coordinator emphasizes the distinction between the unacceptable behavior and the person. The conference process recognizes the potential good of the juvenile and offers the possibility of social reintegration. Having explored with other conference participants how to repair the harm that has been caused by the juvenile, young offenders can begin to shed the offender label and take their place as responsible members of family and society. The harm may be repaired through such means as apology, restitution, and community service. This manual provides guidelines for staging a successful conference. It suggests when, where, and how to coordinate a conference. Chapter topics encompass when a family conference is appropriate, conference preparation, contacting participants, beginning the conference, the core of the conference, conference resolution, conference coordination techniques, and evaluation of the conference. Glossary and 10 references