Can Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) Significantly Reduce Sexual Recidivism? Results from a Randomized Control Trial in Minnesota
"This study evaluates the effectiveness of Minnesota Circles of Support
and Accountability (MnCOSA), a sex offender reentry program implemented
by the Minnesota Department of Corrections in 2008.
Using a randomized controlled trial, this study compares recidivism and
cost–benefit outcomes among sex offenders in the MnCOSA (N = 50) and control groups (N = 50).
The results suggest MnCOSA significantly reduced sexual recidivism,
lowering the risk of rearrest for a new sex offense by 88%. In addition,
MnCOSA significantly decreased all four measures of general recidivism,
with reductions ranging in size from 49 to 57%. As a result of the
reduction in recidivism, findings from the cost–benefit analysis reveal
the program has generated an estimated $2 million in costs avoided to
the state, resulting in a benefit of $40,923 per participant. For every
dollar spent on MnCOSA, the program has yielded an estimated benefit of
$3.73."
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