“Restorative Justice as Participation: Theory, Law, Experience and Research.”

Source: (1996) In: B. Galaway and J. Hudson (eds.), Restorative Justice: International Perspectives. Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press, pp. 241-260.

This chapter reviews the development of program activities and restorative law in Germany with a focus on the leading Victim-Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) for adult offenders, the non profit organization WAAGE (“scale”) in Hannover. An action research project has been conducted from the beginning of the VORP activity . Data are presented from 75 open-ended interviews which have been conducted with participants from August 1992 through December 1994. The assessment of expectations and experiences focuses on the correlation of participation, satisfaction, justice and fairness.