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How Mediation Works 23 disputes in correctional facilities (Reynolds and Tonry, 1981). Mediation in the latter arena takes the form of both crisis inter- vention in case of prison riots or hostage negotiations and insti- tutionalized grievance procedures. Perhaps the fastest-growing arena in which mediation is practiced is in family disputes. Court systems and private prac- titioners provide mediation to families in child custody and di- vorce proceedings (Coogler, 1978; Haynes, 1981; Irving, 1980; Saposnek, 1983; Moore, forthcoming); disputes between par- ents and children (Shaw, 1982; Wixted, 1982), conflicts involy- ing adoption and the termination of parental rights (Mayer, 1985), and spousal disputes in which there is domestic violence (Bethel and Singer, 1982; Orenstein, 1982; Wildau, 1984). In family disputes, mediated and consensual settlements are often more appropriate and satisfying than litigated or imposed out- comes. Models of practice in this area include mandatory court- connected programs in which disputants must try mediation before a judge will hear the case; voluntary court programs; and forms of private practice such as sole practitioners, partnerships, and private nonprofit agencies. Mediation is also used within and between organizations to handle interpersonal and institutional disputes. The scope of mediation application ranges from mediating one-on-one per- sonnel disputes, managing problems between partners (such as in law or medical practices), interdepartmental conflicts, and altercations between companies (Biddle and others, 1982; Blake and Mouton, 1984; Brett and Goldberg, 1983; Brown, 1983). Mediation is also applied to a variety of larger disputes over environmental and public policy issues (Talbot, 1983; Bingham, 1984; Carpenter and Kennedy, 1977; Cormick, 1976; Lake, 1980; and Mernitz, 1980). Disputes over power plant siting, dam construction, and land use have all been successfully mediated. Government agencies are experimenting with nego- tiated rule making in public policy issues (Bingham, 1981; Harter, 1984). The Negotiated Investment Strategy, a medi- ated procedure initiated by the Kettering Foundation, enables local, state, and federal agencies to coordinate their decisions on program funding (Shanahan and others, 1982).