Group Conferencing Effects on Youth Recidivism and Elements of Effective Conferences

Group conferencing is a justice mechanism that brings an offender, their victim(s), police and supporters together for a facilitated discussion about the crime, what can be done to repair the harm, and prevent recurrence of harmful behaviour. This thesis examined longitudinal effects of conferencing and explored differential effects of conference elements on youth recidivism. Conferencing was associated with substantive reductions in the likelihood of ongoing recidivism, while conferences attended by secondary victims and police informants were associated with the largest reductions in post-conference recidivism. This thesis concludes that group conferencing is an effective judicial mechanism to reduce recidivism among youth.