Circles Of Support and Accountability (COSA, or Circles) is a unique and innovative community justice initiative for post-release monitoring of medium- and high-risk sex offenders in and by the community.
Founded on the principles of restorative justice in Canada in 1994, the method entails that a sex offender (the core member) after release is regularly visited by three to six volunteers (the inner circle), preferably from the local community. The inner circle assists the core member resettling in the community by stimulating pro-social behaviour and by providing support and practical help. However, the inner circles volunteers are also trained to recognize behaviour indicating increased risk with the core member.
In that case they will alert members of the so called outer circle that consists of professionals, such as probation officers, therapists or police officers, who can take whatever steps necessary to prevent further offending. Evaluations showed that the recidivism rate of Circles participants was considerably less than expected for the level of risk they presented.
On the website of Circles 4 EU, you will find more information about COSA and the implementation in Europe.