An Outcome Evaluation of Minnesota Circles of Support and Accountability (MnCoSA) - September 2012 (Full Report)

Group: Minnesota Department of Corrections

URL: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/PAGES/files/large-files/Publications/9-12MnCOSAOutcomeEvalua...

Description

In 2008, the Minnesota Department of Corrections implemented Minnesota Circles of Support and Accountability (MnCoSA), a sex offender reentry program based on the COSA model developed in Canada during the 1990s. Using a randomized experimental design, this study evaluates the effectiveness of MnCoSA by conducting a cost-benefit analysis and comparing recidivism outcomes in the MnCoSA (N = 31) and control groups (N = 31). Despite the small total sample size (N = 62), the results from Cox regression models suggest that MnCoSA significantly reduced three of the five recidivism measures examined. By the end of 2011, none of the MnCoSA offenders had been rearrested for a new sex offense compared to one offender in the control group. Due to less recidivism observed among MnCoSA participants, the results from the costbenefit analysis show the program has produced an estimated $363,211 in costs avoided to the state, resulting in a benefit of $11,716 per participant. For every dollar spent on MnCoSA, the program has generated an estimated benefit of $1.82 (an 82 percent return on investment).

Tags

corrections, reentry, sex crimes, sex offender, evaluation, performance measure, programs

Other Attributes