This report evaluates the first phase of the Indianapolis Restorative Justice Experiment, an attempt to use Australian-style restorative justice conferences in response to juvenile offending. From September 1, 1997 through September 30, 1999, 458 youthful offenders participated in the experiment, 232 in the restorative group and 226 in a "control group." The project included observation of conference cases; post-conference/diversion surveys with offenders and their parents or supporters, and with victims and victim supporters; 1-year follow-up interviews with offenders, control group and victims; 6-month recidivism analysis; and 12-month recidivism analysis. More than 90 percent of victims and nearly 90 percent of youths were satisfied with the way their case was handled. All victims and 80 percent of youths felt they were treated with respect. Of youths who completed the restorative justice program, at the 12-month stage 23 percent had re-offended, compared to 29 percent of youths who successfully completed other court-ordered programs. The report concludes that restorative justice conferences better address the needs of many victims of youth offending, and hold promise as an early intervention with young, first-time, juvenile offenders. Given the high rate of re-offending among very young children who enter juvenile court, these findings are encouraging and suggest continued experimentation and assessment of the restorative justice conference approach. Notes, tables, references