Support and Accountability work

There are over 2 million inmates in prisons across the United States, making the U.S. the leader in incarceration rates in the world. That's not a leadership role to which we should aspire, but our "tough on crime" politics, "3-Strikes and you're out" attitude and minimum sentencing laws set us on a fast track to this sort of dubious success.

Coming to a Neighborhood Near You
Let me ask you a question: If you had no money, no job, no transportation, no particular job training, and a big hole in your work history for the past several years, how likely would you be to succeed over the next 3 years? Right! Not very likely, at least not without help.

The fact is that two-thirds of the incarcerated will be released one of these days and will return to their former home towns. Unfortunately they are ill prepared to meet the challenges of life on the other side of the prison walls. They lack job skill training and so have a hard time finding a job. They are often naive about finances and lack budgeting skills, causing them to overdraw checking accounts and have vehicles repossessed. No vehicle, no job in many areas where public transportation is restricted by city limits. They don't understand how to navigate the world, use a computer, contract for services, or protect their own rights. Many have learning disabilities that further limit their progress in all these areas and more. So is it any wonder so many end up back in jail within the first 3-years?

Circles of Support and Accountability
I want to bring your attention to a program out of Canada that is designed to reduce recidivism, especially in high risk offenders, by providing support through a mentoring program that holds the released accountable for their actions. Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) began in Ontario 10-years ago. Today, similar projects have been seeded all over Canada, the U.S. and through Eastern Europe, South Africa and Bermuda. Follow up studies have shown a 70% decrease in recidivism by sex offenders, 57% reduction in all types of violent crime recidivism, and an overall reduction of 35% in all types of crimes. Think of the reduction in taxes this level of reduction would deliver!

So there is a proven method of supporting men and women released from prison. Supporting them in such a way that they can become productive members of society again - tax paying citizens, rather than tax burdens on society. But, as the saying goes, "it takes a village." Psychologist, Ida Dickie, PhD.,C, Spalding University, Louisville, Ky and her colleagues Robin Wilson, PhD., C. Psych, Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, and Eileen Henderson, B.A., Mennonite Central Committee, Ontario, remind us that, "the community lives in fear of offenders and responses to dealing with this fear are varied throughout history. At the end of the day, reduced recidivism is every one's business - offender, victim and community."

In my next blog I'll outline exactly how COSA is organized and show you why it works, but for now, think about it. We are all responsible aren't we? We're either part of the problem due to fear, or we're part of the solution through community action.