NCJ Number
219528
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 46 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2007 Pages: 289-302
Date Published
July 2007
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article presents evaluation data from the Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) pilot project in South-Central Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
Evaluation results indicated that the COSA project had a significant effect on all stakeholders: offenders, community volunteers, affiliated professionals, and the community. COSA appeared instrumental in helping released high-risk sexual offenders remain crime-free. Indeed, many of these high-risk sexual offenders reported that they would have reoffended if not for the help they received from the COSA project. Community volunteers and the community in general reported an increased sense of community and personal safety as a result of the COSA project while professionals and agencies, such as police officers and social service personnel, reported an increased sense of responsibility for offender rehabilitation following prison release. The research involved the completion of survey questionnaires by a sample of each of 4 COSA stakeholder groups: core members (released offenders) (N=24), circle volunteers (N=57), professionals affiliated with the project (N=16), and members of the community (N=77). A survey was developed specifically for each group although all surveys collected demographic characteristics. The core member survey focused on criminal history, initial experience with COSA, and attitudes regarding COSA. The professional and agency member surveys focused on experiences and attitudes regarding COSA. Community members were asked to share their feelings and attitudes regarding COSA and life in the community. The analysis specifically focused on the effect of COSA on the community and on those personally involved in the project. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Table, note, references