This unique program, evaluated by Choice Research Associates since 2008, provides incarcerated individuals the opportunity to mediate with those they feel are important to them prior to release. Mediation allows the individuals involved an opportunity to discuss past difficulties and share plans for the future. The program is operated in many correctional facilities across the state of Maryland, as well as several local detention centers.

In 2022, CRA completed another evaluation study of the re-entry mediation program including a large sample and sophisticated statistical matching techniques, and assessed recidivism outcomes of arrest, conviction, reincarceration, and violations of supervision. A key finding was that those who participate in mediation appear to have a consistently lower likelihood of recidivism across a host of measures compared to those who did not participate.  A summary of the study is available here.

In 2017, CrimeSolutions.Gov conducted recognized re entry mediation as a “promising” program based on recidivism studies conducted by Choice Research Associates in 2014 and 2013. View here.

In November 2014, Choice Research Associates completed an in-depth recidivism analysis of the CMM program (to follow up the April 2013 analysis described below). The November 2014 analysis shows that mediation is effective at reducing recidivism measured as arrest, conviction, sentenced to incarceration, and returned to Department of Corrections for a violation or new arrest. See a snapshot of the mediation recidivism evaluation results here and the full report here.

In 2018, Lisa Pierotte, M.A., reexamined the data and found that these results held up, irrespective of who the individuals chose to mediate with (such as a romantic partner versus a family member or friend) or the topics discussed during mediation. Results are summarized here.

In April 2013, Choice Research Associates completed a recidivism analysis of the CMM program. See a snapshot of the mediation recidivism evaluation results here and the full report here. The Baltimore Sun published an editorial in October 2013 highlighting the program.

An article in Corrections Today, co authored by Lorig Charkoudian, Ph.D., of Community Mediation Maryland, Bonita L. Cosgrove and Dennis P. Ferrell from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Corrections Services and Shawn Flower of Choice Research Associates, highlights the program and the role of family and pro-social relationships on recidivism. See published article here. Community Mediation Maryland also created a reentry mediation website which includes more information on the program as well as interviews with former participants. See DPSCS Newsletter here.