CJR News

Short articles highlighting PF national affiliate justice work.

The Sycamore Tree Project: Prisoner X and Prisoner Y

From the article on the 612 ABC Brisbane website: Inmates who take part in the Sycamore Tree Project are encouraged to talk about their experiences at the graduation ceremony in an effort to create some sort of closure.

The Sycamore Tree Project: Melissa's story

From the article on the 612 ABC Brisbane website: 14 years ago, Melissa Hutton became a victim of a serious crime. She was working in a bank when it was robbed. During which, the perpetrator held a gun to her head.

It's Never Too Late

Thirty years after stealing a family heirloom, a former thief gets the chance to apologize to his victim.

Working with Juvenile Offenders in Bolivia

In late 2012, the PF Bolivia chapter in Oruro piloted a victim empathy course called, “What have I done?” for young offenders. The course, adapted from the original English by volunteers, uses various activities to help young people understand the impact of criminal or harmful behaviour and to begin taking responsibility for their own actions.

PF Receives Citizen's Prize

The German Citizen's Prize for 2012 was awarded to PF Germany for its work with young offenders.

PF Bahamas Celebrates their Second Sycamore Tree Project®

On 22 November 2012, six prisoners in HMP Fox Hill and six victims of crime met with community members to share about their experiences in the Sycamore Tree Project®. The final celebration event featured a meal, speeches by government officials, and discussions of what the programme is.

Recruiting victim participants: Australia

The PF Australia chapter in Queens land received an invitation to run the Sycamore Tree Project® two to three times a year at the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre. To make this happen, the ministry needs to build strong relationships with crime victims living in the community close to the correctional centre. Jason Wickes, the Sycamore Tree Project® for PF Australia’s Queensland chapter, provided an overview of the strategy he is testing.

Inspirational Models

PF Brazil transformed the faith-based women's unit into a fashion show, complete with a runway and inmate models.

Kicking Crime with Football

The odds are against these kids growing up in dangerous neighbourhoods of Medellin, but PF Colombia has found a way to reach them and change the odds in their favour!

PF Singapore’s Faith-Based Unit Offers Hope

In reflecting on his time in PF Singapore’s faith-based unit, recent graduate Jason describes the love and concern he received from volunteers. Their encouragement and support helped him to settle into the programme despite his fears and lack of basic literacy skills. He also achieved a long desired goal of reconciling with his sister and brother in a family meeting that allowed for honest sharing, tears, hugs and rebuilding of relationships.

PF Germany Recognised with National Award

On 10 December 2012, PF Germany’s Seehaus Leonberg received the German Citizenship award in the category termed “Everyday Heroes.” The award recognised the work of over 100 volunteers helping young offenders prepare for life in the community through the alternative to prison programme.

Promoting Restorative Justice in Cameroon

In October 2012, PF Cameroon partnered with the National Commission of Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) to host a one-day awareness raising seminar on restorative justice. Attendees included representatives of key stakeholder groups such as the Ministry of Justice, media outlets, the Cameroon Bar Association, Parliament, and various international development agencies. Presenters discussed various aspects of restorative justice theory, practices from different countries, and ways of introducing the concepts in Cameroon.

Beyond Forgiveness?

How does a community torn apart by savage murders of neighbours by neighbours ever find peace again. PF Rwanda is making it happen.

Sycamore Tree Project® Seminar in Czech Republic

In October, Prison Fellowship Czech Republic held a Sycamore Tree Project®(STP) seminar as part of its programme implementation strategy. The forty participants included chaplains, social workers, and psychologists from the prison service and representatives from various Christian groups including Teen Challenge, the Salvation Army, the Union of Catholic Women, and the Sisters of the Good Shepherd.

Sycamore Tree Grows in Guatemala

The recently chartered Prison Fellowship Guatemala implemented the Sycamore Tree Project® (STP) as one of its first programmes. It ran two courses in facilities in the Department of Escuintla: the Prison Centre Canadá and the Maximum Security prison. According to Byron Saenz, a lawyer working with the ministry, both experiences were positive for all those involved. After the final celebration events, the Prison Fellowship Guatemala leadership felt encouraged to further programme implementation throughout the country.

A Week of Reconciliation

PF Swaziland brought together inmates, judges, correction officials and community members to participate in this year's Week of Prayer activities.

New Perspective Leads to New Life

A self-professed "hard-boiled" prisoner learns to apologize after attending PF South Africa's victim/offender awareness programme. Read her story here.

PF New Zealand’s Faith-based Unit Closing

In late October, PF New Zealand announced that the faith-based unit started in 2003 would close by the end of November. The announcement comes after 18-months of negotiations and dialogue with the Department of Corrections. These discussions came after an evaluation report released in 2010 showed no statistical impact on prisoner recidivism.

Open Door: Prison Fellowship New Zealand- Part 2

Part 2 of a video highlighting the work of Prison Fellowship New Zealand especially the Sycamore Tree Project®. The video description is, "This programme looks at the Sycamore Tree Course run through prisons across New Zealand by Prison Fellowship. Prison Fellowship is a national Christian volunteer movement committed to the spiritual, moral, social and physical wellbeing of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, crime victims and those who serve the criminal justice system."

Open Door: Prison Fellowship New Zealand - Part 1

From the video description: This programme looks at the Sycamore Tree Course run through prisons across New Zealand by Prison Fellowship. Prison Fellowship is a national Christian volunteer movement committed to the spiritual, moral, social and physical wellbeing of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, crime victims and those who serve the criminal justice system.