These programs have become increasingly popular since their beginning in the late 1970's and early 1980's and now operate not only in the United States but also in Canada, Germany, England, and New Zealand. Most programs are operated by private nonprofit, community-based organizations that work collaboratively with the local court system. They generally focus on nonviolent property offenses and minor assaults; a few programs deal with violent felony offenses. Reported benefits of these programs include participant satisfaction, better understanding of the justice process, reduced fear among victims of juvenile offenders, high rates of successfully negotiated restitution contracts, and many others. Little is known regarding why individuals choose to take part in these meetings. No studies have specifically examined predictors of either offender contriteness or victim satisfaction. Restorative justice theory explains the "climate of justice" and the gear available for responding to it. Equity theory then may help explain what gear the individual perceives to be available and which the individual selects. The narrative theory may help integrate the levels and provide the beginnings of a useful framework for asking good questions about these programs. Future research should focus on outcome differences between offenders who take part and those who do not; the relationship between storytelling and victim mental health; and the whole range of opportunities for victims to be involved, including counseling, victim impact statements, victim impact panels, and victim-offender mediation. 64 references