New Leaf Trust - Core Members
The Core Member of a circle of support and accountability is the offender. There has been much said about the dangers of convicted sex offenders becoming isolated from friends and family and living, sometimes almost anonymously in the community with very little or no support.
For several reasons, isolated and unsupported sex offenders are considered to present a greater risk of re-offending. Often sex offenders recognise for themselves that they would benefit from the support of a circle of people interested in helping them lead offence-free life-styles. They are motivated to do the right thing and demonstrate this by engaging fully with the other circle members.
Becoming a core member is a responsibility. It is associated with improved chances of successful rehabilitation. There seems little doubt that core members benefit from this kind of support. However, support is only one aspect of what the circle has to offer. Accountability is the other. What this means for the core member is an agreement to allowing the other members of the circle to get involved in helping them make decisions about education, training, employment, leisure activities, appropriate behaviour and treatment.
On occasions circle members may become concerned about increased risk and will discuss this with police and offender managers. In the past this has resulted in offenders being returned to prison to prevent re-offending. Becoming a core member is about an offender committing themselves to doing the right thing.
Some core members begin work with their circle whist they are still in prison. There is a great advantage in doing this as it helps to build good working relationships in preparation for release. Other core members are the subject of community orders and some have no current statutory order at all.
Becoming a Core Member
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If you think you would benefit from becoming a core member of a circle here are a few ideas for what you could do:
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Discuss your thoughts with your supervising officer or police registration officer.
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Contact us for further information.
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Speak to your offender supervisor or personal officer.
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Approach the prison chaplaincy for advice.
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Ask to speak to your psychologist or medical officer for advice.
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Consider the benefits to you and the community and be sure you are committed to becoming a core member.