Dayton’s Mediation Center coordinator is calling the situation in area jails a “pressure cooker” due to problems between inmates and corrections staff, and she believes mediation could help to resolve some of the tension.   She believes that by using mediation in the jail system, many of the problems could be avoided or at least not escalate.   She wants to help inmates and corrections staff identify and reduce conflict with better solutions. 

The proposal for a mediation program comes after the jail has faced many lawsuits filed by inmates who feel they were mistreated, abused, or injured by corrections staff.   Some also claim their civil rights have been violated. 

The city of Dayton recently approved a service agreement with the jail for a four year program that will cost about $90,000 each year.   The program will provide conflict management services to inmates and corrections staff, as well as mediation services for inmates returning to the community. 

In the last year or so, the mediation center has already held classes for female inmates at the jail to help with conflict resolution.   The classes last about 90 minutes and inmates get to discuss their conflicts and how they can better respond to situations that arise.   They also get to discuss what to expect once they have returned to the community after they are released. 

So far, inmates have responded positively to the classes and now, the center wants to expand the program to male inmates and corrections staff.   The center acknowledges that jails are dangerous places and issues that arise can escalate and become violent quickly.   The program can help staff recognize problems and train them to better handle things.   The mediation center has also provided conflict management training to municipal departments in the city.