Transcript Slide 1

Minnesota
Circles
of Support &
Accountability
No More Victims MnCoSA
Welcome!
• Brief overview of Sex Offenders
• Sex Offender Risk Levels
• Mission & Purpose for MnCoSA
• Community Volunteers (students) in
MnCoSA
The 411 on the SO
•
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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 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?
• 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 reenter the community.
The Mission & Purpose
• To reduce sexual victimization
– Volunteers help Core Members
– Professionals are available to help Volunteers.
– Staff support Professionals & Volunteers
WHERE did Circles of Support &
Accountability 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?
• 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 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 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?
• 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 Process
• Training
30 hours
• Facility visits
• Circle Meetings
15 hours
104 hours
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Circle Process
Criminal Justice System
Human Sexuality and deviance
Long Term Institutionalization
Survivor and Community Concerns
Offender Discussion
Group Dynamics
Boundaries
Re-offense Prevention
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
20%
Three-Year Sexual Recidivism Rate
18%
16%
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
Year
Rearrest
Reconviction
Reincarceration
2001
2002
Risk Level Assignment
• Risk Levels Assigned in 2008
(15 DHS not included)
v Level 1 – 466
57%
v Level 2 – 241
30%
v Level 3 – 107
13%
Total
814
100%
Community Notification Sample
20.0%
1763 offenders
were released
from 1997-2002 15.0%
(1823 minus 60
10.0%
committed
before
5.0%
release).
Re-arrest rate as
0.0%
of 01-01-06
7.5%
5.2%
5.2%
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Rearrested for a sex offense
Who will commit the next offense?
Residential Restriction Study
March 2007
• 3,166 offenders released from 19902002
• 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’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
Websites
• 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 Information
Joann Dillavou
MnCoSA Director
[email protected]
651.361.7593
Sarah Napoli-Rangel
Service Learning Director
[email protected]
651.450.8500