Restorative Conferencing for Men and Women Suffering from Addiction: Evidence from an RCT

• In Event: Gendered Aspects of Reentry Experiences

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that compared to traditional criminal justice processes, face-to-face restorative justice (RJ) conferencing can reduce reoffending and increase satisfaction for both individuals who cause harm and individuals who are harmed (Strang et al., 2013). Less is known about the effectiveness of restorative conferencing as a tool in the prisoner reentry process, or the mechanisms through which restorative conferencing might facilitate desistance from crime. This study, supported by funding from the National Institute of Justice, attempts to address these knowledge gaps by studying a population not commonly associated with restorative conferencing – men and women suffering from addiction, and their families. In this context, families are treated as the indirect (and sometimes direct) victims of their loved ones’ criminal behavior, addiction, and incarceration. From pre- and post-conference surveys, official recidivism data, and 6-month post-release interviews, we present evidence from a 4-year randomized controlled trial examining the impact of RJ conferences on participants’ attitudes, family relationships, and reentry. We will discuss the implications of RJ conferencing for formerly incarcerated individuals and the role conferencing can play in addiction recovery.

Authors

• Derrick Franke, American Institutes for Research

• Roger Jarjoura, American Institutes for Research

• Colton Currah, American Institutes for Research

• Joseph Williams, American Institutes for Research

• Ariel Roddy, Northern Arizona University