Circles of support and accountability: The case for their use in Scotland to assist in the community reintegration and risk management of sexual offenders

Much public, professional and political concern has, and continues to be, focused on the release of sexual offenders back into the community. It could be argued that this is the most sensitive, contentious and indeed risky aspect of offender
community reintegration and rehabilitation. Attention has rightly been given to the development of effective programmes within prison and the community which complement each other, and the development of protocols and systems for enhancing community protection. However, it is our contention that, despite the current public protection arrangements which are in place across Scotland, there is still a need and indeed demand for an improved framework of support, monitoring and re-integration for offenders within the community, particularly after release from prison or other residential provision. This article is therefore aimed at outlining the case for ‘Circles of Support and Accountability’ (hereafter referred to as Circles) as a means of enhancing the range of measures available in the community for reducing the risk of re-offending by certain convicted sexual offenders, and ensuring that the framework of community protection in Scotland more closely matches those being delivered in other parts of the UK.