Circles of Support and Accountability CoSA Saskatoon A Reintegration Program That Works Circles of Support and Accountability CoSA Saskatoon A Reintegration Program That Works

Our Mission Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) seek to assist sexual offenders reintegrate into the community upon their release from prison. Community Volunteers assist released high risk sex offenders to lead responsible, healthy and law-abiding lives by offering friendship, support and accountability with a commitment to No More Victims. CoSA Saskatoon 20102

Community Reaction The community is usually outraged when a high risk offender is released. No one wants the offender living in their neighbourhood. The community often calls for more professional involvement to keep the community safe: tougher sentences, more police, even capital punishment or castration. Our intuitive reaction is to push the offender out of community. 3CoSA Saskatoon 2010

One Solution 4CoSA Saskatoon 2010

Another Solution 5CoSA Saskatoon 2010

Why Help Sexual Offenders? Circles of Support & Accountability (CoSA) originated to meet the unique needs of Warrant Expiry Sex Offenders because no one else was stepping forward to do so. CoSAs were formed to assist:  those considered by many to be the "untouchables", or the most marginalized in our society,  those for whom there was little or no support because they were no longer the responsibility of the CSC,  those for whom there was little or no support from other governmental or non-governmental service or agency. CoSA Saskatoon 20106

Why Help Sexual Offenders?  those whose sexual offenses have caused great harm to their victims and communities and who are considered a high risk to reoffend sexually  lack of support makes the transition to community extremely difficult, if not impossible. We are committed to No More Victims and believe creating communities around these offenders offers the best hope for safe re-integration and transition from prison. CoSA Saskatoon 20107

What is a Circle of Support and Accountability? Circles of Support and Accountability are made up of 4 to 6 community volunteers and 1 high risk sex offender (called a Core Member). Volunteers form a friendship circle around the core member to assist in his successful reintegration into the community by offering support, encouraging a law abiding lifestyle and accountability for his behaviour. “Life without friends would be too hard to endure for a day.” -St. Augustine- 8CoSA Saskatoon 2010

History of CoSA  Started in 1994 in Hamilton, ON  Charlie Taylor, a high risk child molester was released into the community at Warrant Expiry.  He had a long history of molesting young boys & was expected to reoffend within a few years.  He had no community support, lots of community hostility.  A local pastor recruited members of his church to form a support group for Charlie.  They helped keep him safe.  They helped him with practical needs like housing, food, clothing… 9CoSA Saskatoon 2010

History of CoSA  They met with him regularly offering support & walking with him through difficult times.  Around the same time, another high risk, high profile sex offender was released in southern Ontario.  A circle was formed for him.  People noticed these offenders were doing well in the community. They were not re-offending.  Charlie Taylor died in 2006 after living in the community for 14 years.  He created NO MORE VICTIMS. 10CoSA Saskatoon 2010

CoSA Today  There are more than 130 circles operating at any given time in Canada in almost every major city across the country.  CoSA has spread to other countries including the U.S., the U.K., Israel, Ireland & Australia.  16 CoSA sites across Canada have been funded through the Church Council on Justice and Corrections (CCJC) under a 5 year demonstration project to promote & study the process and its effectiveness, including projects in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina. 11CoSA Saskatoon 2010

Profile of a Core Member 12CoSA Saskatoon 2010

Who is a Core Member? A person who has:  been in prison and is considered a high risk to reoffend sexually  accordingly been denied parole/conditional release  indicated a desire to never again harm another person.  few or no supports in the community  a potential for negative media attention  usually been male, ages ranging from 20’s to 50’s Convictions have included:  rape, child molesting, child pornography, forcible confinement  most struggle with addictions 13CoSA Saskatoon 2010

What does this work mean for a Core Member? Must take full responsibility for past crimes and be accountable for personal actions Enters the circle voluntarily Commits to not reoffending in any way Commits to being honest with his CoSA Willing to discusses his offence history & relapse prevention plan with the CoSA Agrees to live by any conditions set by the courts 14CoSA Saskatoon 2010

What does this work mean for a Core Member? Represents an opportunity to start building a new life by abiding with legal conditions, following relapse prevention plan Receives support to make responsible choices to benefit himself and the community Receives friendship, honesty in relationships with volunteers, respect, dignity, accountability & support 15CoSA Saskatoon 2010

Out of Community = Isolation  Pushing high risk offenders out of community forces offenders into lives of isolation or attempts to hide their past from the community.  Social isolation is a common factor in sexual offenses.  Secrecy is a hallmark of sexual offending.  Both isolation and secrecy limit the opportunity for the offender to be accountable to the community.  By pushing the offender away, are we making the situation worse? 16CoSA Saskatoon 2010

CoSA Creates An Alternative  We recognize the offender needs to live somewhere, but we do not want him to hurt anyone else in the community.  Community members step up and become involved in the offender’s life.  Community members offer friendship and support to the offender, in exchange for openness and accountability from the offender.  The community becomes involved in its own safety. 17CoSA Saskatoon 2010

What does safely mean? Living safely in the community means:  Former offenders taking responsibility for treatment, adhering to their relapse prevention plan, living pro- socially, remaining accountable and NO MORE VICTIMS  No vigilantism, no harassment by media or police, community groups or individuals 18CoSA Saskatoon 2010

Communities bear a responsibility for their own safety. Citizens can be part of the solution by becoming engaged. Communities are capable of disapproving of criminal behaviour. Disapproval is best received from people who care. CoSA creates communities of care. 19CoSA Saskatoon 2010 Intentional Community of Care

No More Victims No One is Disposable No One Does This Alone CoSA Saskatoon

Who Are We & What Do We Do? We are volunteers from all walks of life who want to help sexual offenders adjust to a responsible and safe community life. When a Core Member being released from prison requests a CoSA, we gather together 4 to 7 trained community volunteers to befriend and act as a support system for the Core Member within the larger community. At the same time, the CoSA addresses the community’s concern that safety not be compromised. CoSA Saskatoon

Who Are We & What Do We Do? Advocate for the Core Member Help the core member to find appropriate housing and employment Meet regularly Walk with the Core Member through times of crisis Celebrate birthdays, achievements, milestones, etc. 22CoSA Saskatoon 2010

Our Volunteers must submit a criminal record check must provide references are interviewed and screened by the steering committee receive training on working with sex offenders, on setting boundaries, and how to provide both support and accountability should be willing to make a one year commitment must be willing to ask difficult questions are not a surveillance team 23CoSA Saskatoon 2010

Our Volunteers Ability to be non-judgmental Personal stability Availability to meet regularly Known in the community Maturity - calm, rational, grounded Minimum age - 21 yr. old (discretion of screening cttee) Balanced life style Balanced perspective - victim/offender Personal victim issues resolved Acceptance of sexual orientation choices 24CoSA Saskatoon 2010

Current Volunteer Profile Motivated by a need to be involved in community & to help reduce sexual offending Ability to work as part of a team From faith communities, universities, colleges, service clubs, word-of-mouth Many have had previous volunteer experience Age Male and female 25CoSA Saskatoon 2010

The Realities & Rewards of Volunteering with CoSA The realities:The rewards: This is not a highly-sought after volunteer positionYou aren’t just joining another “volunteer” organization but an amazing community-building movement Friends & family may not understandYou will meet some very interesting people It may take a long time to build trustYou will learn things that would not be possible in any other setting The road to gaining community acceptance is a long one You will not be alone but part of a team of others “Success” is not guaranteed, there is always the possibility of relapse You will be responding to a need where other interventions have failed Core Members often face a lifetime of struggleIf you are a person of faith, you will see God at work CoSA Saskatoon

Together We Agree… The Volunteers and the Core Member prepare a Covenant or Agreement which sets out the expectations and responsibilities of all members of the CoSA. created and signed by all parties outlines when the police, probation, or parole will be contacted puts in writing what everyone agrees to bring to the circle allows any member of the circle to be held accountable for their actions provides a framework for confronting the core member about inappropriate behaviours if necessary 27CoSA Saskatoon 2010

Together We Agree… foundational document - without one, there is no CoSA establishes boundaries for relationships each Covenant is unique to the needs and conditions of the Core Member includes any legal conditions (810 order, LTSO) the Core Member must abide by includes commitments to continue treatment, counseling, maintenance group, 12 Step group etc. 28CoSA Saskatoon 2010

The Inner Circle Comprised of local community-based volunteers A Core Member or former offender The Core Member has contact with a volunteer most days of the week Is guided by a Covenant CoSA Saskatoon

Two Circles of CoSA - The “Inner” Circle Volunteer Core Member CoSA Saskatoon

The Outer Circle Comprised of local, community-based professionals Offer support, guidance and mentoring Act as a safety net for CoSA Participate in Steering Committee, Advisory Panels, Boards of Directors, volunteer training, etc. Offer a means of accountability for CoSA program CoSA Saskatoon

Two Circles of CoSA - The “Outer” Circle Professional CoSA Saskatoon

CoSA - The Inner & Outer Circles Core Member Volunteer Professional Voluntary and Community-Based CoSA Saskatoon

Does CoSA work? Circles of Support & Accountability: A Canadian National Replication of Outcome Findings Robin J. Wilson, Franca Cortoni and Andrew J. McWhinnie  looked at 44 warrant expiry offenders with CoSA, 44 without  followed the sample for up to 35 months  recidivism defined as having a charge or conviction for a new offense  results show offenders in CoSA had an 83% reduction in sexual recidivism  73% reduction in all types of violent recidivism  overall reduction of 71% in all types of recidivism in comparison to the matched offenders  (or by – ask me) CoSA Saskatoon

Why does CoSA work?  One-one-one relationship between Core Member and Volunteers based on friendship  Covenant relationship facilitates accountability  “Surrogate family” celebrates milestones – perhaps for the first time  Mentoring CM – to live “the good life”  Circle meetings – no secrets, being open and honest  Articulating & modeling standards – not passing judgment 35CoSA Saskatoon 2010

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