Circles of Support and Accountability
Project Street Address
Project City
Project Province/State
Project Postal/Zip Code
Project Country
Focus of activity
Direct Support
Year the initiative began
1994
Which of these barriers is the primary focus of your work?
Aggressive Models Of Masculinity
Which of the insights is the primary focus of your work?
Create Paths to Prevention or Remediation
If you believe some other barrier or insight should be included in the mosaic, please describe it and how it would affect the positioning of your initiative in the mosaic
Name Your Project
Circles of Support and Accountability
Describe Your Idea
Description of Initiative
The purpose of Circles of Support and Accountability is to reduce the risk of reoffense by individuals convicted of sexual offenses and to ease their transition into the community and to speak to the concerns of victim/survivors. The project involves volunteers forming 'Circles of Support and Accountability' around high profile sex offenders who are re-entering the community at Warrant Expiry. These men are held in prison until the very last day of their sentences, when their warrant expires, (because of their high risk to re-offend) and then released into the community without adequate supervision or support. The relationship between volunteers and the "ex-offender" includes a commitment on the part of the ex-offender to relate to the Circle and accept its help and advice, to pursue appropriate treatment and to act responsibly in the community. The Circle provides intensive support for the ex-offender, mediating between police, media, and the community-at-large to assist in a safe adjustment to life in the community.
Innovation
Circles of Support and Accountability was started as a pilot demonstration project and was the first of its kind in the world. The model has since been replicated across North America and around the world. The premise of the program is that the community is safer when people who have offended are included rather than kept isolated. The relationships developed between "core members" (offenders) and volunteers are long-lasting and form the basis of the core member's social support network.
Delivery Model
Core members (offenders) are directed to us by Police and Probation Departments, prison chaplains, clergy and community members. Core members find us because they are in such desperate need of support and accountability in their lives. Our current program would have to grow exponentially in order to meet the present need.
Key Operational Partnerships
We partner with the Police and Probation Departments, prison chaplains, psychiatrists and psychologists, Family and Children's Services, social workers, the Correctional Service of Canada and the faith community. We work with the Police and Probation on the accountability piece. Social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists work with core members in individual and group therapy. Our work compliments theirs. The faith community provides volunteers while Mennonite Central Committee (the relief and development agency of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Churches) provides all leadership and administration for the program. The bulk of our funding comes from the Correctional Service of Canada. All of these partnerships are key in ensuring program health and stability.
Financial Model
Our services are free of charge.
What percentage, if any, of the total operating costs does earned income (from products, services, or other fees) represent?
0
How is the initiative financed? Is it financially self-sustainable or profitable? How much do beneficiaries contribute?
The majority of our funding comes from a contract with the Correctional Service of Canada, with a much smaller percentage coming from Mennonite Central Committee and private donations. Our services are free of charge.
Effectiveness
Since 1994, Circles has worked with around 120 core members and 250 volunteers. We currently connect with 70 men. According to a 2005 study of recidivism, funded by the Correctional Service of Canada, Circles of Support and Accountability core members had a 70% reduction in sexual recidivism in contrast to the matched comparison group. The study looked at 60 core members and 60 other Warrant Expiry offenders who were not involved in circles, over an average of 4.5 years. This has been compelling evidence that Circles provides a much needed service.
How many people have benefited from your program over the last year? Which element of the program proved itself most effective?
We currently work with 70 core members. In the circle, core members are able to begin building trusting and healthy connections with others - moving away from secrecy and into open, honest relationships. A space is created where transformation may occur. These relationships are based on respect, and an effort to humanize those who have offended.
Scaling up Strategy
We will seek stable funding, which will enable us to improve our volunteer recruitment and support efforts. A larger administrative infrastructure will be required in order to facilitate program growth. Ex-offenders continue to find us because there is no where else to go. Our challenge is to build a program that meets their needs and the needs of the community.
Stage of the Initiative
1
Origin of the Initiative
Circles began when a man named Charlie was released from prison to live in Hamilton, Ontario in 1994. Having spent more than half of his life in prison or psychiatric institutions, he was considered an extremely high risk offender. But Charlie did the unexpected, he did not re-offend. This was due, in large part, to the support provided by a group of concerned citizens and friends, who later formally became Charlie's Circle. These friends made sure he had the basics covered - a place to live, paying bills and getting to appointments. They maintained daily contact to make sure Charlie wasn't putting himself (or anyone else) in danger. And they took time to celebrate milestones - one year out, two years out, five years out. Charlie passed away in 2006, after 12 years of living safely in the community. And so, based on the success of his circle, the program was born.
This Entry is about (Issues)
How did you hear about this contest and what is your main incentive to participate?
Colleagues at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University made us aware of Ashoka. Our interest is in finding ways for our program to become strengthened financially, but also to increase our knowledge of the work of other organizations.
Main Obstacles to Scaling Up
The two main obstacles we face are related: funding and political will. Every time the contract comes up to be renewed, our small staff (only 5 people, and each at less than full time) spends great amounts of time and energy working to ensure that the funding will continue.
Main Financial Challenges
The staff are stretched thin because the need is so great. Funding from any type of investor would be welcomed to enable us to increase the number of staff and build the adminstrative infrastructure of the program.
Main Partnership Challenges
As noted previously, implementation of partnerships is a challenge based on the ratio of core members to staff and the demands of running the project on a daily basis.
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