The impact of COVID-19 on circles of support and accountability: Process, impact, and legacy

McCartan, Kieran; Wilson, Robin; Kitson-Boyce, Rosie

Abstract

COVID-19 has affected the risk management and community integration of people convicted of a sexual offense and has particularly impacted the work of Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA). This chapter will focus on empirical research conducted in two stages, first during the initial lockdown in 2020 and follow-up research conducted during the lessening of restrictions and the return to “normal” in autumn 2021. The data were gathered in online surveys via Qualtrics and disseminated by Circles Europe to various international projects. Findings highlighted the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of Circles and resulting impacts on Core Members (individuals convicted of sexual offences), volunteers and staff. This chapter discusses both the challenges and new opportunities that have emerged for delivering circles during pandemic public health precautions, with a focus on how service provision has adapted in the face of a "new normal" and what practices, and policies, will be retained or adapted.

• Online Publication Date: Jun 23, 2023
• Publication Date: Jun 23, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 30, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 24, 2024
• Publisher: Routledge
• Book Title: Covid-19 and Criminal Justice: Impact and Legacy in England and Wales
• ISBN: 9781032250847
• Keywords: Covid-19, Covid-19 Pandemic, Criminal Justice, Courts, Justice,
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10015277
• Publisher URL: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9781003281481/covid-19-criminal-justice-ed-johnston
• Contract Date: Sep 27, 2022