EXTRAJUDICIAL MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION: EVALUATION OF GERMAN VICTIM‐OFFENDER‐RECONCILIATION PROGRAMS

This paper evaluates juvenile delinquency mediation in the West German judicial system. It describes three programs which spearheaded mediation in Germany. The evaluation concentrates on the influence of program organization and implementation on effectiveness of mediation. First, results from four studies that evaluate the oldest of these programs are reported. These studies deal with (a) the number of cases suited to mediation, (b) the actual amount of mediation, (c) the practicability of mediation as judged by program experts, and (d) the acceptance of mediation by victims and offenders. Second, a comparative analysis of all three programs is presented focusing on (a) program goals and (b) impact of implementation on the preselection of cases and the role of the mediator. An overall evaluation shows that media‐tion is an effective means of conflict management beyond petty offense; recommendations of the police proved helpful in selecting cases for mediation; the complexity of conflicts suggests a special training for mediators.