Support someone being released from long-term incarceration with COLUMNS

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COLUMNS is a Minnesota Circles of Support and Accountability program that works specifically with life sentence offenders being released after long-term incarceration. Volunteers work with an individual being released from prison after 30+ years. Each volunteer is in a group with 4-6 volunteers, an offender, and a staff member. Volunteering occurs in stages.
1) Volunteer Training-a free, 20 hour training (evenings and weekends) scheduled quarterly.
2) In facility meetings- about 3 meetings in the prison facility to meet the offender and get to know them and their goals. Transportation to the facility is provided.
3) Community meetings-the majority of volunteering. Meet once a week for an hour at a location in the community (typically either the halfway house they reside at or a coffee shop). Over time, meetings typically become less frequent. The goal is to provide a support system for the first two years of transition.

Circle groups work on goal setting, addressing issues, and providing community support and accountability to the offender.