Each COSA involves four to seven people who form a circle centered around the reentering woman, known as the “core-member.” COSA members may include friends and family of the core-member, community members, and any other affected parties.

Why Have a COSA?

The circle assists the core-member in developing a greater understanding of how her incarceration and the behaviors that led to incarceration affect her relationship with self, family, the larger community, and victims, and how this creates harms, needs and obligations.

The Circle meets together regularly to provide emotional, spiritual and practical support while helping the core-member to identify and overcome obstacles she might face in reentering such as housing, education, substance abuse, destructive behaviors/patterns, financial instability, psychological and medical issues etc.

The COSA works to collectively create goals, provide accountability for actions and behaviors, offer encouragement and affirmation, identify inner-resources, share wisdom and celebrate victories in the journey of reintegration.

COSA creates an opportunity for the community to respond positively to wrongdoing and to participate in the healing power of connecting with each other in Circle.  When a community practices a new way of addressing harm and wrongdoing and invites connectedness, it strengthens the community and leads to increased safety and wholeness.

For more information, please contact Jenna Preheim, Community Works Restorative Justice Coordinator, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 510-486-2340  

Related Links:

ROCA

Kay Pranis and Living Justice Press 

COSA’s at the Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies, Fresno Pacific University 

Child and Family Services (Buffalo New York)

 Click here for more information about the Circle processes