Measuring RJ in Europe – statistical data and evaluation research in Europe internationally compared

• In Event: Restorative Justice in Europe – the European landscape in the context of the International Encyclopaedia of Restorative Justice

Abstract

The European volume of the encyclopaedia reveals a growing research interest in measuring RJ and evaluating the outcomes of Restorative Justice measures. Still the statistical data base is insufficient and difficult to compare as the statistics often are incomplete and not valuable for evaluation the prevalence of restorative measures in the general sentencing practice of European jurisdictions. Nevertheless, it can be estimated, that the scope of RJ-measures has been widened in the last 30 years without being a predominant reaction or sanction of criminal justice systems. The European evaluation research on the effectiveness of RJ-measures (satisfaction of victims and offenders, prevention of recidivism etc.) indicates small, but in average positive effects as already known from Anglo-American literature.

Author

• Ineke Regina Pruin, University of Bern