NCJ Number
144143
Editor(s)
M Smith
Date Published
1989
Length
132 pages
Annotation
This manual on mediation in youth correctional settings is one in a series of three manuals prepared to help juvenile correctional facilities implement the Youth Corrections Mediation Program developed by the New Mexico Center for Dispute Resolution in conjunction with three juvenile facilities operated by the New Mexico Youth Authority.
Abstract
The three facilities include a maximum-security boys training school, a medium-security diagnostic center, and a minimum-security halfway house. Goals of the Youth Corrections Mediation Program are to teach communication and conflict resolution skills to staff and residents in juvenile correctional facilities, to improve the quality of life in these facilities, and to ease the transition of youth from correctional facilities to the home environment. The mediation process allows parties to express their feelings and points of view, identify needs, clarify issues, explore solutions, and negotiate an agreement that is satisfactory to both parties. This second program manual contains a guide to implementing mediation in youth correctional settings. It outlines seven implementation steps: developing the capacity for program implementation, program planning and implementation, staff orientation and training, mediator selection, mediation training, and program implementation and maintenance. The manual focuses on conflict resolution and the incorporation of mediation into the disciplinary policies of juvenile case management and contains 24 activities designed to facilitate mediation training. An appendix provides additional information and forms on the mediation process.