CDSC mediates conflicts/situations with incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals and people who they identify as possibly assisting in their transition home. The mediation process may start while a person is still incarcerated if the person’s release date is within eighteen months or it may start up to six months after release.
Through the mediation process, current and formerly incarcerated individuals develop plans with partners, family members, or others to support a successful transition in key areas including housing, relationships, children, substance use issues, work, and transportation. Mediation allows everyone to be fully heard and involved in the decision-making process. The process can help participants to surface tensions and work to resolve them with the help of non-judgmental mediators. There does not need to be any conflict.
As with all forms of mediation, the process is voluntary and confidential, and any agreements reached reflect the needs of all the participants. Re-entry mediation services serve as a complement to existing pre-release and post-release services focused on housing, job placement, substance abuse counseling, and more.
All services are free of charge. Participants can engage in up to three two-hour mediation sessions pre-release, and as many sessions post-release as necessary.
CDSC re-entry mediators use inclusive listening to have confidential conversations about planning for reconnection of the formerly incarcerated individuals to their communities. The purpose of re-entry mediation is to talk about anything important to the parties that could help with a successful return home.
The re-entry mediation process is a multi-step process that includes an intake with the incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individual; intake meetings with people the individual would like to talk with; mediation meeting(s) with all parties discussing issues of importance and planning; and creating written agreements.