A program to bring reconciliation between juvenile offenders and their victims.

OVERVIEW

Mediation and Restitution/Reconciliation Services (MARRS) is a Christian ministry in partnership with the Memphis (TN) Leadership Foundation and Christ United Methodist Church. MARRS was developed in response to the escalating juvenile crime rate. The program cooperates with the Memphis and Shelby County Juvenile Courts to allow first-time offenders and their victims an opportunity to resolve conflict through reconciliation. MARRS works with first- and second-time offenders whose crime lends itself to restitution (such as repayment of property loss or damage) and to those who are interested in meeting with the victim to "set things right." Victims who participate understand and support the goals of restitution and reconciliation. Parents are also encouraged to actively support the juvenile in his/her efforts to resolve the matter.

PROGRAM GOALS

The goals of MARRS are as follows:

• A new start for juvenile offenders.
• Restitution for victims.
• Relief for overloaded courts.

To fulfill these goals, MARRS trains volunteer mediators to counsel juvenile offenders and their victims so that a restitution agreement can be made. The victim finds comfort in knowing that something positive is being done in the offender’s life. Another benefit is that mediators have the opportunity to serve as positive role models.

PROGRAM METHODS

Phase One

Phase One is the actual face-to-face meeting between the victim and juvenile offender, mediated by two volunteers trained at the churches participating in the program. In this "ministry of reconciliation" phase, the objective is not only to resolve the conflict, but also to restore the relationship of the people involved. Two neutral mediators conduct a meeting, where the injured party and the youth each tell their story. An agreement is written to pay back losses through dollars, community service, or other means agreeable to both parties. The meeting is confidential and usually lasts about one hour. Taking part in the mediation and reaching an agreement is totally voluntary. If participation is declined at any time in the process, or if an agreement is not reached or once reached is not fulfilled for any reason, then the case will be returned to the original agency for further action. Confidentiality means that all statements, documents, papers, and notes prepared during the course of the mediation are private and will not be revealed to anyone, except to prevent possible harm to any person. Once the mediation is done and the restitution agreement is completed. Phase Two can begin.

Phase Two

Phase Two is an attempt to impact the juvenile offenders’ lives by serving these youth through the many churches in the city and through the creation of specific, pertinent, on-going ministries. Phase Two of the program exposes the juvenile offenders to Christian ideals and positive life experiences. Truancy and mentoring programs are just two outgrowths of the original program. Juvenile truancy has increased dramatically in the past five years. Studies have shown that truancy leads to delinquency. Over 1000 cases have been mediated through MARRS since 1994. It had a 14% recidivism rate its first year.

PROGRAM OPERATION

MARRS operates through four full-time staff, 1 part-time worker, and many volunteers from local churches. It relies on individuals, foundations, and corporations for funding. It does not receive government funding nor is it a United Way Agency. For more information, contact MARRS at www.cumcmemphis.org/marrs.htm.