Circles of Support and Accountability Update

Greetings to you from MCC!

Given a number of recent events in our Restorative Justice programs, we wanted to be in touch with our supporters to keep you informed on several fronts.

Along with our Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) partners across the country, MCC Ontario is very grateful for the recent Public Safety Canada's announcement of the new agreement between the National Crime Prevention Strategy and CoSA Canada. This commitment on behalf of the Federal Government assists in developing and fostering the sustainability of CoSA sites across the country. MCC Ontario will continue to receive funding through the final year of its contract with the Correctional Service of Canada until March 31, 2018. The new Public Safety funding for CoSA sites will come into play for us in 2018. This new consistent funding for sites across the country is critical, yet will likely mean a further reduction in federal government funding for MCC Ontario.

MCC Ontario remains committed to the work of CoSA given the model's track record with helping to build safer communities and prevent further offences. Circles are a positive restorative approach to reintegration for individuals who complete prison terms and eventually return to community. Currently through CoSA we have 5 staff and 86 volunteers supporting and holding accountable 101 individuals with sexual offending histories. We know that the intentional community and relationship building of CoSA reduces isolation and the risk of re-offences as several studies have shown that CoSA leads to a 70% decrease in re-offending behaviour. And the model is cost effective – our recent Social Return on Investment analysis documented that CoSA saves our system $6 for every $1 invested.

We would like to also take the opportunity to thank Eileen Henderson who has resigned as the Restorative Justice Program Coordinator after 16 years of excellent service and to welcome Rod Friesen as our new Restorative Justice Program Coordinator. Rod brings a great deal of knowledge and skills in the non-profit sector and the Restorative Justice field. We are pleased that he has agreed to come on board and help guide our Restorative Justice program.

We will continue to seek additional sustainable funding for our various RJ initiatives and are very appreciative of the support that you have provided our program over the years.

Thank you again. For further information on MCC Ontario’s RJ initiatives, please see mcco.ca/rj

Wendy Adema
Program Director
MCC Ontario