Family conferencing as a juvenile justice strategy

Source: (1999) Justice Professional. 11(3): pp. 259-296.

The process known as “family conferencing” has not yet been embraced by juvenile justice policy makers in the U.S. This creative initiative, pervasive in Australia, New Zealand and, to a lesser extent, Canada, deals with juvenile crime on the basis that it is, first and foremost, a symptom of a breakdown of relationships. An essay and review highlights the South Australian experience of family conferencing. The experience in South Australia has been most encouraging. As an alternative to “getting tough,” conferencing can take into account the social milieu in which youth crime occurs and can play a constructive role in rebuilding bruised and broken young lives.