"This book-by a peerless practitioner, proponent, and scholar ofvictim offender mediation-is filled with crucial information,knowledge, insights, and inspiration for lawyers, judges,mediators, social workers, and anyone else who cares about criminaljustice and the possibilities of healing people and communities."(Leonard L. Riskin, C.Leedy Professor of Law & director, Centerfor the Study of Dispute Resolution, University ofMissouri-Columbia)
"Makes a significant contribution to the growing body of work inthe development of nonsettlement-driven approaches to mediationpractice. It clarifies what humanistic conflict intervention canachieve in the victim offender arena at this critical juncture inthe field." (Joseph P. Folger, cofounder, Institute for the Studyof Conflict Transformation, and professor, Temple University)
"This is a must-read for any criminal justice professional orvolunteer who is serious about bringing victims and offenderstogether to continue their journey of recovery. Where else can youget both a theoretical framework and a down-to-earth guide that issteeped in the roots of real lives?" (Mark Carey, deputycommissioner, Minnesota Department of Corrections)
"Captures not only the heart and soul of restorative justice, butalso the value of victim offender mediation in helping victims andoffenders and holding offenders accountable to the individuals andcommunities they have harmed. The combination of theory, practice,and case studies combines to provide a timely and critical overviewof victim offender mediation as a key tenet and practicalapplication of restorative justice. It is, indeed, essentialreading for any professional or volunteer who seeks to promoteindividual and community safety and justice through restorativemeasures." (Anne Seymour, victim advocate, Justice Solutions,Washington, D.C.)
"Brilliant! Mark Umbreit and his colleagues have written acomprehensive, practical, and inspirational book that weaves a richand varied tapestry depicting the principles, research, andpractice of restorative justice. Beyond its remarkable contributionto the literature on restorative justice, this book is essentialreading for those who want to learn more about the vitalrelationship among theory, research, and practice. (Michael Lang,professor and Special Advisor for Program and Faculty Development,Royal Roads University, Victoria, British Columbia, and editor,Mediation Quarterly)
"..offers a practical state-of-the-art perspective onVOM...concludes with useful information on training materials,directories and profiles of programmes..."(Newsletter of theEuropean Forum for Victim Mediation and Restorative Justice)
Umbreit (social work, U. of Minnesota; founding director U. of Minnesota's Ctr. for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking and the National Restorative Justice Training Institute) draws on nearly 30 years of experience in writing this comprehensive text on the principles, research and practice of restorative justice through victim offender mediation (VOM). Coverage includes how the process works, identifying appropriate participants, preparing participants for the upcoming meeting, establishing a safe place for dialogue, and the most efficient methods for conducting an effective mediation. Practical information is given for both starting a new VOM program and for strengthening existing ones. The text includes the first large national survey of VOM programs, and multisite studies, using data from Canada, England and the U.S. For professionals and volunteers, but accessible to a wider audience. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
