Minnesota Circles of Support &

Accountability

MnCoSA

What is it?

• MnCoSA is a community born solution to answer the need of Level 2 sex offenders seeking support as they reintegrate into the community upon release from prison.

• A community reintegration project aimed to reduce the risk of recidivism through Best Practices with measures that won’t create adverse collateral consequences.

The Mission

• The DOC contributes to a safer Minnesota with effective offender management;

• Evidence based practices affect recidivism; the mission is to reduce the recidivism of Level 2 sex offenders; Carrying this out one step further into the community

• Transitioning from incarceration into community is significant and effects more people than the solely the offender.

WHEREWHERE did this idea come from?

• In 1994, a Mennonite minister & prison psychologist teamed up to support a high profile mentally disabled pedophile being released into their community in Hamilton, Canada.

• This offender had previously been denied parole & statutory release.

MnCOSAMnCOSA…Emerging

• Exclusively works with High Risk Sex Offenders

• Success with employment, housing and positive support role modeling

• In Minnesota, we have adapted the Canadian Model under developer Andrew McWhinnie.

Current Status of MnCoSACurrent Status of MnCoSA• 70 +/- Volunteers • 11 Circles; 8 operational• Circle 12 currently in training• Three Advisory Committees• Program Evaluations designed in the Model• Project Director oversees fluid Curriculum

Design & Training Content• Attracting recent grads/professionals• Community Partner - AmicusAmicus

Who Qualifies?

• Any LEVEL 2 Sex offender who:– Comes out of out one of the piloted

Counties of this project (Hennepin, Ramsey or Olmsted). Also is returning to the same County of Commit

– Is a Level 2 with no known “factors” to change (ECRC, Civil Commit)

– Is Level 2– Can be male or female – Position and/or placement in treatment is

NOT a factor

It’s ALL in the DETAILSIt’s ALL in the DETAILS

• Intense, highly emotional work• Volunteers are people of great

character & caliber• They are WILLING!• MnCoSA reaches to policies, prisons,

trainings, restorative justice, victim services, sex offender treatment, many areas in a POSITIVE regard.

Additional FactsAdditional Facts

• MnCoSA is in three pilot counties; Hennepin, Ramsey and Olmsted.

• Each Circle consists of 4-7 members, and each Circle lasts approximately 1 year.

• Time Commitment for Volunteers:– 30 hours of Training; 15 hours facility

visits– 104 hours of Community Circle Visits

Contact InformationContact Information

Joann Dillavoujdillavou@fs.doc.state.mn.us

651.361.7593