Releasing Sex Offenders Into the Community Through "Circles of Support" -- A Means of Reintegrating the "Worst of the Worst"

• NCJ Number: 196313
• Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 34 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 85-98
• Author(s): Carla Cesaroni
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 14 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Demonstrative)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes a program that endeavors to integrate sex offenders back into the community in a productive, supportive fashion while still holding the ex-offender accountable.

Abstract

Using the philosophy of restorative justice, the Mennonite Central Committee, Ontario, created a program entitled Circles of Support and Accountability. The program attempts to return sex offenders to the community in a productive, supportive fashion while still holding the ex-offender accountable. Volunteers, primarily from the faith community, assist with practical life-skills, emotional needs and in mediation with the wider community. Most ex-offenders appear to join a Circle as a means of self-protection. All seem aware of the reality that often surrounds the release of a high-profile sex offender. A number of former Circle members have indicated that they would have returned to a lifestyle conducive to re-offending had it not been for the Circles. Tables, notes, references