Do Victim Impact Panels reduce drunk driving recidivism

ABSTRACTThis study examines whether Victim Impact Panels reduce DUI recidivism. Data was gathered on 410 DUI offenders who attended a Victim Impact Panel and 373 DUI offenders from the same court system who were not court ordered to attend a Victim Impact Panel. Logistic regression results reveal that Victim Impact participants recorded significant reduced recidivism odds at six months, one year and two years relative to the comparison group. Victim Impact Panels also reduced the odds of further criminal recidivism. These associations were similar for males and females. Among multiple DUI offenders, having attended a prior Victim Impact Panel triggered a greater recidivism reduction relative to DUI offenders who did not attend a prior Victim Impact Panel. This restorative justice strategy should continue to be employed for both first- and second-time DUI offenders.