NCJ Number
149709
Date Published
1991
Length
88 pages
Annotation
A program to implement conflict resolution and mediation in youth correctional settings was developed by the New Mexico Center for Dispute Resolution, and the resulting 15-lesson curriculum on conflict resolution and the guide to implementing the mediation process in youth correctional facilities are presented.
Abstract
The program was developed with three main goals: (1) teach communication and conflict resolution skills to youth correctional facility residents and staff; (2) improve the quality of life in youth correctional facilities; and (3) ease the transition of youth from the correctional facility to the home environment. Program evaluation involved pre-, post-, and followup assessments of the Conflict Resolution Curriculum (CRC); main, living area, and school department records of facility residents; and surveys of community reintegration success. The CRC and mediation training curriculum were found to be highly effective in providing knowledge and skills to residents. Program participants were able to sustain this information after training and apply it to situations they encountered in the facility and after release. The program was successful in improving the behavior of residents, as measured by living area and school deportment, and in terms of major violations and days in administrative segregation. Trained mediators had a recidivism rate of 18.3 percent lower than nontrained members of a matched control group. Difficulties were encountered in gaining full program awareness and utilization due to program supervision and support issues. Appendixes contain the CRC evaluation instruments, mediation training evaluation instruments, and resident and staff interview protocols. 19 tables