Mediation between imprison person and his family in a conflict situation as a form of support for the process of his social readaptation

• In Event: PWG - Family relationships, parenting, and reintegration

Abstract

Leaving prison and entering an open environment is a difficult situation. A former prisoner struggles with several difficulties, including stigma, the effects of imprisonment, conflicts with family that prevent them from returning to their family environment. Lack of support from the family in returning to functioning in an open environment, both emotional (ensuring a sense of connection, psychological safety) and material (in the form of a place to live, meeting basic physiological needs), is a factor that hinders the process of social readaptation. Bad relations with the family, conflict caused by committing a crime and its effects in the form of stigmatization of the family, and material difficulties result in a lack of willingness to provide support to the perpetrator. The possibility of repairing the relationship and communication between the perpetrator and the family, talking about the causes of the conflict and possible solutions is provided by mediation, in which the parties are supported by an independent, neutral mediator. Based on a conversation conducted in mutual respect and a sense of responsibility for the decisions made, the search for solutions gives the parties to mediation a chance for activity, self-determination, and co-creation of their family situation. It allows for the normalization of relationships, rebuilding communication, entering family roles, and thus facilitates the social readaptation of an individual. The work aims to show the benefits of mediation proceedings conducted to normalize the relationship between a person leaving prison and their family, and thus support readaptation. The aim of the work is also to present Polish experiences in the field of working with the mediation method and its appropriate techniques with convicts and their families to resolve conflicts that have arisen between them and affect their social readaptation.

Author

• Joanna Katarzyna Rajewska de Mezer, Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Educational Studies, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań