NCJ Number
96378
Editor(s)
L Ray,
P Kestner
Date Published
1984
Length
74 pages
Annotation
This report evaluates the first 6 months (April 1 through September 30, 1982) of Project Early Settlement (PES), a community mediation service provided by the City of Tulsa, Okla.
Abstract
Attention focuses on planning the project and on fitting the project to Tulsa. Groundwork for the project, including consultations and planning conferences that involved the city attorney, city prosecutor, chief of police, and municipal court agencies, is described. The preparation of referral agencies is examined, and the program design is addressed in terms of the general plan, the staff, and the training of mediators. PES office management is outlined, and consideration is given to program policies, intake forms, and PES job descriptions. The discussion of case management considers policies, procedures, and intake; the nature of the dispute; and the relationship of the disputants. PES objectives are reviewed, and project outcomes are described: through the end of September, 242 cases were scheduled for mediation; 40 percent of these actually went to mediation, and 85 percent of these ended with an agreement. In assessing the effectiveness of PES in speeding case processing, it was found that 59 percent of the mediation sessions were held within 7 days of the initial interview. The analysis of costs to clients and referral agencies reports clients indicated that PES had saved them time and/or money when compared to other alternatives, since the service is free. PES is noted to have survived its initial funding period and to have subsequently prospered as an institution of the city government without outside funding. Appendixes contain referral and followup procedures. Three figures and 17 tables are included.