Re-Entry Mediation provides the opportunity for currently or formerly incarcerated people to sit down face-to-face with family members and loved ones to talk through past harms and to plan for the future. Finding a time and space to have such time-intensive and emotionally-charged conversations can be difficult. Re-Entry Mediation creates this space. With the help of a trained, impartial mediator, incarcerated people and their support systems can navigate difficult conversations, speaking honestly about concerns, challenges, and uncertainties.
Due to risk of COVID-19 spread, our offices are closed. However, we are still working! Please call, email, or use the contact form below to get in touch.
About Re-Entry Mediation
Approximately 96 percent of incarcerated people will be released from prison and rejoin the community. People re-entering the community often lack basic necessities—a safe place to live, a job, a car, clothing, and/or money for food. In addition, the conditions that led to incarceration often leave incarcerated people and their families with feelings of mistrust, shame, anger, hurt, and resentment. At The Mediation Center, we know that relationships matter. Having strong and supportive relationships is one of the most important predictors of success after release from prison. Re-Entry Mediation can help to rebuild and strengthen relationships between incarcerated (or formerly-incarcerated) individuals and their loved ones.
Re-Entry Mediation helps to facilitate honest conversations about life after release from prison. Within a confidential and non-judgmental environment, families and loved ones can get on the same page about a variety of personal topics. For example, these conversations might include a discussion about what housing, financial, and social support will or will not be available or about areas in the relationship(s) that may require future work.
Evidence supports that Re-Entry Mediation improves outcomes for individuals re-entering the community after incarceration. A 10-year study of this mediation model shows that participation in one mediation session reduces 5-year recidivism by 10 percent, and additional mediation sessions cause an additional 8 percent decrease. Click here to learn more about the evidence-based re-entry mediation model. Re-Entry Mediation works. We are eager to help individuals, families, and community support networks access Re-Entry Mediation services.
Our Re-Entry Mediation Program
The Mediation Center provides Re-entry Mediation through our program at the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women. This Re-Entry Mediation program assists incarcerated women prepare for their release, rebuilding their relationships with their loved ones. For many, Re-Entry Mediation presents the first opportunity to talk openly, honestly, and confidentially about a range of personal topics. As a result, Re-Entry Mediation enables participants move their relationships forward and begin to envision a future after release from prison.
Although The Mediation Center’s Re-Entry Mediation program works primarily with the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women, any formerly-incarcerated community member can use our mediation services after their release.
Our Re-Entry Mediation services are free of charge.
“We’ve tried to work all this out before, but we can’t ever get anywhere because the only time we can talk is in 15-minute phone calls. It’s just not enough time. Or during visitation, when everybody else can overhear. And we were so angry that we just couldn’t communicate without a mediator. Today we actually worked things out. Before this, I thought I was going to be homeless. Thank you.”
-Re-Entry Mediation participant
Get In Touch
For more information about our Re-Entry Mediation services, contact our Community Mediation Coordinator by phone at (828) 251-6089 x214 or by e-mail at communitymediation@mediatewnc.org.
Re-Entry Mediation
Re-Entry Mediation
Re-Entry Mediation provides the opportunity for currently or formerly incarcerated people to sit down face-to-face with family members and loved ones to talk through past harms and to plan for the future. Finding a time and space to have such time-intensive and emotionally-charged conversations can be difficult. Re-Entry Mediation creates this space. With the help of a trained, impartial mediator, incarcerated people and their support systems can navigate difficult conversations, speaking honestly about concerns, challenges, and uncertainties.
Due to risk of COVID-19 spread, our offices are closed. However, we are still working! Please call, email, or use the contact form below to get in touch.
About Re-Entry Mediation
Approximately 96 percent of incarcerated people will be released from prison and rejoin the community. People re-entering the community often lack basic necessities—a safe place to live, a job, a car, clothing, and/or money for food. In addition, the conditions that led to incarceration often leave incarcerated people and their families with feelings of mistrust, shame, anger, hurt, and resentment. At The Mediation Center, we know that relationships matter. Having strong and supportive relationships is one of the most important predictors of success after release from prison. Re-Entry Mediation can help to rebuild and strengthen relationships between incarcerated (or formerly-incarcerated) individuals and their loved ones.
Evidence supports that Re-Entry Mediation improves outcomes for individuals re-entering the community after incarceration. A 10-year study of this mediation model shows that participation in one mediation session reduces 5-year recidivism by 10 percent, and additional mediation sessions cause an additional 8 percent decrease. Click here to learn more about the evidence-based re-entry mediation model. Re-Entry Mediation works. We are eager to help individuals, families, and community support networks access Re-Entry Mediation services.
Our Re-Entry Mediation Program
The Mediation Center provides Re-entry Mediation through our program at the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women. This Re-Entry Mediation program assists incarcerated women prepare for their release, rebuilding their relationships with their loved ones. For many, Re-Entry Mediation presents the first opportunity to talk openly, honestly, and confidentially about a range of personal topics. As a result, Re-Entry Mediation enables participants move their relationships forward and begin to envision a future after release from prison.
Although The Mediation Center’s Re-Entry Mediation program works primarily with the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women, any formerly-incarcerated community member can use our mediation services after their release.
Our Re-Entry Mediation services are free of charge.
“We’ve tried to work all this out before, but we can’t ever get anywhere because the only time we can talk is in 15-minute phone calls. It’s just not enough time. Or during visitation, when everybody else can overhear. And we were so angry that we just couldn’t communicate without a mediator. Today we actually worked things out. Before this, I thought I was going to be homeless. Thank you.”
-Re-Entry Mediation participant
Get In Touch
For more information about our Re-Entry Mediation services, contact our Community Mediation Coordinator by phone at (828) 251-6089 x214 or by e-mail at communitymediation@mediatewnc.org.