Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Minnesota Minnesota Circles Circles of Support & of Support & AccountabiliAccountabilityty
No More VictimsNo More VictimsMnCoSAMnCoSA
Welcome!
• Brief overview of Sex Offenders
• Sex Offender Risk Levels
• Mission & Purpose for MnCoSA
• Community Volunteers (students) in MnCoSA
The 411 on the SOThe 411 on the SO
• Charged• Convicted• Sentenced to Probation• Sentenced to Prison• Released from Prison
• There are THREE categories of RISK levels.
• Level One, Level Two & Level Three.
Risk Level DistinctionsRisk Level Distinctions
• Level One: Victims of & witnesses to the crime. Law enforcement exchange & anyone else id’d by the prosecuting attorney to receive the information.
• Level Two: Schools, daycares, organizations where victims of the offender may be found. Victim sensitive/vulnerable individuals at risk are notified by law enforcement. Information is not for re-distribution.
• Level Three: Requires broad notification usually through a public meeting. This also covers individuals cited in Levels 1 & 2 notifications, as well as utilizing the media & other distribution methods to convey information to the public.
What is MnCoSA?What is MnCoSA?• Organic community• Assists with the day-to-day
adjustments that offenders face once released from prison.
• Circles consist of 4-7 volunteers that work together with one offender.
• Volunteers support and hold a Level 2 sex offender accountable as they re-enter the community.
The Mission & PurposeThe Mission & Purpose
• To reduce sexual victimizationTo reduce sexual victimization
– Volunteers help Core Members
– Professionals are available to help Volunteers.
– Staff support Professionals & Volunteers
WHERE did Circles of WHERE did Circles of Support & Accountability Support & Accountability
come from?come from?• In 1994, COSA started in a Mennonite
community to support a high profile mentally disabled pedophile in Hamilton, Canada.
• This offender had previously been denied parole & statutory release.
• No Community Supervision
COSA…Emerging
• May, 2004 the British Columbia hosted the first COSA Circle.
• In Great Britain, COSA is in its fifth successful year working with the Canadian model.
• In Minnesota, the model has been adapted from the Canadian Model under developer Andrew McWhinnie.
Who are the Core Members?Who are the Core Members?
• Any LEVEL 2 Sex offender who:•Is returning to one of the three
piloted Counties: –Hennepin, Ramsey or Olmsted
•Is a Level 2 with no known “factors” to change (ECRC, Civil Commit)
•Can be male or female•Participation is voluntary and not a
condition of community supervision
Volunteer QualificationsVolunteer Qualifications
• Be at least 18 years old• Complete an application and criminal
background check• Interview with MnCoSA staff• Complete 30 hours of training• Commit to 1+/- year of Circle
involvement• Abide by DOC policies and procedures
Why VolunteerWhy Volunteer
• Because you care about the safety of your community and you want to help someone
• Because you have a vested interest in preventing sexual victimization
• Because you believe that people can change
Am I Safe? Am I Safe?
• 29 MnCoSA Circles have been started!
– Volunteers start out with many questions & concerns
– Training is comprehensive– Volunteer chats – Safety is a Priority; Institution &
Community.– You are entering a mentoring community– Ongoing support and respect
Training ProcessTraining Process• Training 30 hours
– Circle Process– Criminal Justice System– Human Sexuality and deviance– Long Term Institutionalization– Survivor and Community Concerns– Offender Discussion– Group Dynamics– Boundaries– Re-offense Prevention
• Facility visits 15 hours• Circle Meetings 104 hours
Who Supports the Circle?Who Supports the Circle?• Outer Circle: a group of community-based professionals
– Law enforcement, treatment providers, supervision agents, social services, staff
• Maintenance
• Advanced Training– Conflict resolution– Employment issues– Housing issues– Chemical dependent issues– Mental health
Student Involvement Recruitment Efforts Community Service Learning Credit
Classes/Subject & Topic Matter Bridging the Gap between students
and older volunteers All student circles
MnCoSA Research Design
• Randomized Experimental Design– Meet With Eligible Offenders – Offenders Decide to Volunteer– Random Selection From Volunteers
• Experimental Group (MnCoSA)• Control Group (No MnCoSA)
• Outcome Measures– Recidivism / Release Violations
• Process Measures– Survey Results (Offenders, Volunteers)
Basic Sex Offender Risk Management
• Sentencing: Probation or prison• Treatment: Community or prison• Prison release planning
– Civil Commitment Screening (12 mos)– Risk Level Assigned (3-4 mos)– Conditions of release
• Intensive Supervised Release– Rules: Behavior, contacts, residence, employment,
treatment,
– Violation • Restructure or return to Prison
– Release Planning Starts Again • Runs out of sentence time (expiration)
Since 1990, the sexual recidivism rate has decreased dramatically
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
20%
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Year
Th
ree
-Ye
ar
Se
xu
al R
ec
idiv
ism
Ra
te
Rearrest Reconviction Reincarceration
Risk Level Assignment
• Risk Levels Assigned in 2008 (15 DHS not included)
Level 1 – 466 57%Level 2 – 241 30% Level 3 – 107 13%
Total 814 100%
Community Notification Community Notification SampleSample
1763 offenders were released from 1997-2002 (1823 minus 60 committed before release).
Re-arrest rate as of 01-01-06
5.2%
7.5%
5.2%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Rearrested for a sex offense
Who will commit the next Who will commit the next offense?offense?
Residential Restriction Residential Restriction StudyStudyMarch 2007
• 3,166 offenders released from 1990-2002
• 224 sexual re-offenses – analysis• Residency restriction from school,
park or daycare would have impacted none of the offenses
Three 90’s and Two R’sThree 90’s and Two R’s
• Approximately•90% of sex offenders do not sexually
re-offend
•90% of sex offenses are committed by ‘non-sex offenders’
•90% of sex offense victims know the offender (family, friend, acquaintance)
• It’s about relationship – not residence
Increase Safety? Or Risk?
• Residency restrictions• Massive public websites
– Accuracy– ‘Hiding’– Resource allocation
• Risk categories based on plea bargaining
WebsitesWebsites
• www.doc.state.mn.us– Search Offender Records
• Search for level 3 offenders• Offender Locator
• www.por.state.mn.us• Search for non compliant offenders
• http://por.state.mn.us– CJIS• Criminal history
• http://pa.courts.state.mn.us/default.aspx– MN. Trial Court Public Access
Contact InformationContact Information
Joann DillavouMnCoSA Director
Sarah Napoli-RangelService Learning Director
[email protected]@inverhills.mnscu.edu651.450.8500
