1000th Sycamore Tree - Restorative Justice programme changes prisoner’s lives
Dec 28, 2010
from the press release by Prison Fellowship, England and Wales:
Prison Fellowship’s restorative justice programme Sycamore Tree achieves a milestone today (14th December) when the 1000th programme is completed.
Over 30 Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions in England and Wales offer the programme and around 2,000 learners participate every year. The 1000th Sycamore Tree is being offered at HMP Wayland, Norfolk.
Sycamore Tree raises the awareness of the impact of crime on victims and teaches the principles and application of restorative justice.
The programme started in 1998. Around 15,000 learners have taken part so far. HMP Wayland usually runs around 5 courses per year.
For most Sycamore Tree learners, the most powerful element of the programme is when a victim of crime talks to the group about how crime has impacted on their life.
More than 300 Prison Fellowship volunteers are involved in Sycamore Tree each year.
Note: www.restorativejustice.org is sponsored by Prison Fellowship International, an association that includes Prison Fellowship, England and Wales as a member.
