STP Forum

Participate in an interactive discussion on different aspects of the Sycamore Tree Project®.

Victims and the Sycamore Tree Project®

The Sycamore Tree Project® (STP)is an expression of restorative justice bringing together unrelated victims and offenders for dialogue about the impact of crime and topics such as taking responsibility, making amends, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. This dialogue provides each victim and each prisoner participant a voice in understanding crime and in finding more positive ways of responding. However, some Prison Fellowship national ministries encounter difficulties in recruiting those who have been affected by crime (victims) for STP . This reality can be discouraging and cause some to seek to run the programme without victims.

More on Music and STP

In January, we posted a discussion about music in STP and how it is used. Recently, the STP coordinator in Western Australia provided a listing of songs used during the STP sessions. I thought I would reopen the discussion to see if folks wanted to list some of the songs they are using.

Benefits of the Sycamore Tree Project®?

Close to 20 Prison Fellowships are using the Sycamore Tree Project® around the world. Many times -- though not always -- they report powerful stories of understanding and transformation. Yet, it was recently pointed out to me that we do not have a listing of the benefits of the programme on the website. So, could you take a few minutes and list some of the benefits you have seen and experienced?

Using music to communicate in STP

Recently, I was copied in on a email between STP facilitators about the use of music and poetry in communicating different themes in the STP sessions.

Sycamore Tree Project® and juveniles

Recently, different PF national ministries have asked about the use of the Sycamore Tree Project@ with juvenile offenders.

Implementing the Sycamore Tree Project®

As we look ahead to planning for 2011 and beyond, I wanted to get your thoughts on implementing Sycamore Tree and the impediments to getting started. Could you take a few minutes to share your thoughts on the following questions?

Facilitators take note

Recently, I received a message from an STP facilitator with the subject line "Facilitators -- and would be facilitators -- take note, you are a circle keeper.

Apology or "asking for forgiveness"

In the 5th session of STP, we ask the question "should an offender ask the victim for forgiveness?" Of course the answer we provide is "No. While this question is often used by offenders, what they really need and want to do is confess and repent. Whether victims follow Jesus’ teaching and respond with forgiveness is their decision. All the offender should do is repent and allow the victims to decide what response to give."

Working with Victim Support Groups

I recently received an update on the STP implementation from PF Portugal. A Portuguese victim support group is interested in the programme but is looking for more information on the programme. One of the questions is about the participation of victim support programmes in other countries.

When offenders are also victims?

In restorative justice, we will talk about the various mechanisms that offenders use to minimise the harm they have done. One of these is to assume a "victim mentality." However, there are times when offenders have real experiences of victimisation. I recently read an email from an STP facilitator in Latin America talking about how many of the participants in the course she is currently facilitating were having a hard time understanding how their actions caused harm.

Discussing forgiveness

Recently, Michael Cockram from Western Australia shared an email communication he had sent to STP participants as they prepared for the session on forgiveness. In the email he says, "Most of the time we seem to be working our what forgiveness is not..." Forgiveness can be a difficult subject as there is a lot of confusion about what it is. So, how do you frame the discussion on forgiveness. What lessons have you learned through facilitating STP?

Prayer Support for STP

In the STP programme manual, we talk about the importance of recruiting prayer support for Sycamore Tree. But, we don't often share information on this item. So, I was wondering, "how do you recruit prayer support and work with the supporters?"

Financing STP

Recently, I attended a restorative justice seminar for European Prison Fellowships. During the training, the question of how much STP costs and how it is financed came up.

Screening Victims for STP

Recently, I received a question from one of the State ministries making up PF Australia asking about screening victims for STP.

Share your experiences with the Sycamore Tree Project®

The Sycamore Tree Project® is a powerful programme affecting not only the victim and offender participants but also facilitators and community members that are involved in different ways. Sharing these experiences can encourage and help others. Would you please share an experience or reflection from your work with the Sycamore Tree Project®?