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Minnesota Circles of Support & Accountability

Minnesota Circles of Support & Accountability. MnCoSA. No More Victims. Welcome!. Brief overview of Sex Offenders Sex Offender Risk Levels Mission & Purpose for MnCoSA Community Volunteers (students) in MnCoSA. The 411 on the SO. Charged Convicted Sentenced to Probation

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Minnesota Circles of Support & Accountability

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  1. Minnesota Circles of Support & Accountability MnCoSA No More Victims

  2. Welcome! • Brief overview of Sex Offenders • Sex Offender Risk Levels • Mission & Purpose for MnCoSA • Community Volunteers (students) in MnCoSA

  3. The 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. The Mission & Purpose • To reduce sexual victimization • Volunteers help Core Members • Professionals are available to help Volunteers. • Staff support Professionals & Volunteers

  7. 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

  8. 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.

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. Training 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

  14. 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

  15. Student Involvement Recruitment Efforts Community Service Learning Credit Classes/Subject & Topic Matter Bridging the Gap between students and older volunteers All student circles

  16. 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)

  17. 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)

  18. Since 1990, the sexual recidivism rate has decreased dramatically

  19. Risk Level Assignment • Risk Levels Assigned in 2008 (15 DHS not included) vLevel 1 – 466 57% v Level 2 – 241 30% v    Level 3 – 107 13% Total 814100%

  20. Community Notification Sample 1763 offenders were released from 1997-2002 (1823 minus 60 committed before release). Re-arrest rate as of 01-01-06

  21. Who will commit the next offense?

  22. Residential Restriction StudyMarch 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

  23. 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

  24. Increase Safety? Or Risk? • Residency restrictions • Massive public websites • Accuracy • ‘Hiding’ • Resource allocation • Risk categories based on plea bargaining

  25. 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

  26. Contact Information Joann Dillavou MnCoSA Director Joann.dillavou@state.mn.us 651.361.7593 Sarah Napoli-Rangel Service Learning Director snapoli@inverhills.mnscu.edu 651.450.8500

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