The Impact of the Greene County Juvenile Justice VIP (Victim Impact Panel) on Offender Development of Remorse and Empathy

Abstract

The incorporation of restorative justice philosophy and practice has become a fundamental component in the research literature on juvenile justice. The prospect of reducing criminal offending by providing opportunities for offenders to take responsibility and develop genuine remorse for their actions, as well as opportunities for the community to reconcile with the offender and provide greater support for both the perpetrator and victim after crime is promising. Rooted in the ideological principles of restorative justice, the VIP (victim impact panel) is designed to bring offenders face to face with victims of crime in order to develop a better sense of the harm and suffering that criminal behavior causes its victims. The current study explores the effect that participation in a VIP program has on juvenile offenders' perception of their criminal behavior and their development of remorse and empathy towards their victims.