Impact and effectiveness
While the evidence for the effectiveness of COSA is growing (e.g. Duwe, 2018), many outcome studies face methodological challenges. A detailed critique of studies and reports investigating the effectiveness of Circles on relevant outcomes is provided by Clarke et al.(2017).
2018
Bohmert, M. N., Duwe, G., & Hipple, N. K. (2018). Evaluating restorative justice circles of support and accountability: can social support overcome structural barriers?. International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology, 62(3), 739-758. google scholar
Duwe, G. (2018). Can circles of support and accountability (CoSA) significantly reduce sexual recidivism? Results from a randomized controlled trial in Minnesota. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 14(4), 463-484.
Dwerryhouse M. (2018) Evaluating Community-Based Circles of Support and Accountability. In: Elliott H., Hocken K., Lievesley R., Blagden N., Winder B., Banyard P. (eds) Sexual Crime and Circles of Support and Accountability. Sexual Crime. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
2017
Clarke, M., Brown, S., & Völlm, B. (2017). Circles of Support and Accountability for sex offenders: A systematic review of outcomes. Sexual Abuse, 29(5), 446-478. google scholar
2015
Höing, M., Vogelvang, B., & Bogaerts, S. (2015). “I am a different man now”—Sex offenders in circles of support and accountability a prospective study. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 61(7), 751–772. google scholar
2014
McCartan, K., Kemshall, H., Westwood, S., Solle, J., MacKenzie, G., Cattel, J. & Pollard, A. (2014) Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA): A Case File Review of Two Pilots. Ministry of Justice.
Thomas, T., Thompson, D., & Karstedt, K. (2014), Assessing the impact of Circles of Support and Accountability on the reintegration of adults convicted of sexual offences in the community. Centre for Criminal Justice Studies, School of Law, University of Leeds
2013
Bates, A., Williams, D., Wilson, C. and Wilson, J. (2013) Circles South East: The first 10 years 2002-2012, International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, published online 24th April 2013, DOI: 10.1177/0306624X13485362
Duwe, G. (2013) ‘Can Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) Work in the United States? Preliminary Results From a Randomized Experiment in Minnesota’, Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 143-165.
2012
Bates, A., Macrae, R., Williams, D. and Webb, C. (2012) ‘Ever-increasing circles: A descriptive study of Hampshire and Thames Valley Circles of Support and Accountability 2002-09’, Journal of Sexual Aggression, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 355-373.
older
Wilson RJ. Cortoni F. McWhinnie AJ. (2009) Circles of Support & Accountability: a Canadian national replication of outcome findings.Sexual Abuse: Journal of Research & Treatment. 21(4):412-30 google scholar
Wilson, R., Picheca, J. and Prinzo, M. (2007) ‘Evaluating the Effectiveness of Professionally-Facilitated Volunteerism in the Community-Based Management of High-Risk Sexual Offenders: Part One – Effects on Participants and Stakeholders’, The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, Vol. 46, No 3; pp. 289-302 google scholar
Wilson, R., Picheca, J. and Prinzo, M. (2007) ‘Evaluating the Effectiveness of Professionally-Facilitated Volunteerism in the Community-Based Management of High-Risk Sexual Offenders: Part Two – A Comparison of Recidivism Rates’, The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, Vol. 46, No.4; pp. 327-337