The cost of cutting CoSA

"Our government believes that dangerous sex offenders belong behind bars.”

-          Jean-Christophe de Le Rue, spokesman for Canada’s Public Safety Minister

            It’s never easy defending sex offenders.  It’s certainly much easier to say that they belong behind bars.  That appears to be the unofficial messaging behind the federal government’s cuts to a successful sex crime prevention program called Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA).

            It’s a decision that makes little sense given the government’s own evaluation of the program.  Based on the five-year study, CoSA significantly reduces sex offenders’ rates of reoffending, by up to 95% in one region evaluated.   Not only that, but for every dollar spent on the program, the government saves $4.60 in reduced incarceration costs. 

            This particular program is a bargain for government given its reliance upon 700 volunteers across the country, of which I am one.  The meagre financial funding from government is simply needed to coordinate the program and provide support to volunteers as needed.  The decision appears to be less about cost-saving ($650,000 in core funding per year), and more about pumping additional money into our jails.

            The program’s purpose is to target those who pose the greatest risk to society when released from prison. The result? As their website states, “Fewer victims of violent and sexual crimes across the country.  CoSA makes a significant contribution to safer streets and communities through enhanced public safety and protection of Canadians.”  

            The volunteers involved are everyday people who have committed to meeting regularly with sexual offenders to hold them accountable for their actions and help them reintegrate into the community.  They provide a small group of support for those who tend to get pushed out of neighborhoods and homes for their past transgressions. 

            The negative public stance when it comes to sexual offenders is understandable.  Who wants to show compassion to someone after such heinous crimes?  I had similar feelings when I began participating in the program five years ago.

            But what I found is that these offenders are far more human than what I first expected.  They have real remorse for the crimes they’ve committed.  Most of them are seeking to reform themselves, and don’t want to hide on the margins of society anymore. 

Some of the CoSA members suffer from mental conditions, while others are victims themselves.  Many have been abused by family members or have grown up witnessing abuse.  It opened up my eyes when one member recalled how shocked he was when his girlfriend called the police after he hit her the first time.  His mom would never call the police after being struck by his dad, he explained to us.

            This is not to excuse their actions, but to recognize the underlying factors that can lead to certain behaviour.  Despite their crimes, they are real people who have complicated backgrounds and have now asked for help.  In many cases, CoSA offers them their first opportunity to engage in healthy relationships with people who have volunteered to care for them.

CoSA is not some anti-government organization wanting to upend the justice system, but rather one that works within the parameters of the current legal system.  In this system, 95% of offenders are released back into society after serving their sentence.  Once released, they may either reoffend and create another victim, or lead a new life with the adequate support in place.

CoSA currently offers that support, but perhaps not for long.