Circles of support and Accountability (CoSA) is a social reintegration model where focus is on using volunteers in the work with sexual offenders. A group of volunteers from the local society (a circle) meet the former criminal (the core member) regularly in a period of one year. The circle offers the core member different kinds of support, but it also demands responsibility from the core member.
Never before has a study of the possibilities and challenges as result of the implemen- tation of CoSA in a Danish context been completed. Likewise it can be argued that there is lack of similar social reintegration offers in Denmark. The aim with this study is to set forth knowledge about possibilities and challenges by implementing this model in Denmark. Furthermore it is important to uncover, what CoSA is, if the mod- el works as it’s supposed to, and whether there is a need in a Danish context.
To answer the questions of this thesis it is chosen to use qualitative interviews and observation. Observation has been used under a visit to the organisation Circles UK, located in Great Britain. Interview is used as a method to gather empiricism in Eng- land, but also at expert interviews in Denmark with representatives from Direktoratet for Kriminalforsorgen, Red Barnet, Landsforeningen Spor and employees at Retssex- ologisk Klinik in Risskov. Desistance will be used as the theoretical framework under which Travis Hirschis theory about Social Bond, Hirschis and Michael Gottfredsons Self Control Theory, Robert J. Sampson and John H. Laubs Life Course Theory and John Braithwaites theory about reintegrative and disintegrative shaming will be drawn upon. To elaborate on this criminologist Anne-Marie McAlindens investigation of shaming in relation to sexual offenders is included. Furthermore a presentation of To- ny Wards approach to sexual offenders and Good Lives Model is included.
It is probable that there is a need for CoSa in Denmark because currently there is no reintegrating initiative, which specifically addresses sexual offenders. To answer if CoSA can reduce recidivism and why, it is chosen to look at the model from this the- sis’ theoretical base. If CoSA is looked upon from the theory of Self Control it has no effect. However it can be concluded from the perspective of the other theories that CoSA has got an effect, but in this case it is necessary to take some reservations. It is necessary for CoSAs effect that the circle succeeds in creating strong relations be- tween the volunteers and the core member. Moreover it will be crucial that the core member establish relations outside the circle.
Several potential challenges by implementing CoSA in Denmark has been identified through working on the thesis. These challenges are: legal policy and sense of justice, taking into account the victim, lack of knowledge about sexual offenders, the lack of alike organisations in Denmark, recruitment of volunteers and CoSAs balance be- tween control and social rehabilitation. From these challenges it can be concluded that some challenges are easier to overcome than others.