News

APAC Nova Lima Receives National Recognition

On 15 December 2011, Judge Juarez Morais de Azevedo received an honourable mention award from the Prêmio Innovare for his work with APAC Nova Lima in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. The national award recognises and disseminates information about innovative practises in the Brazilian justice system.

APAC Costa Rica

Recently, PF Costa Rica completed an evaluation of the success toward meeting the goals set out in the 2011 operational plan for the APAC in the Centro Semi Institucional San Augustín in the province of Heredia. Their purpose was to identify needed adjustments going into 2012.

PF El Salvador signs agreement to implement a community service project

In August 2011, PF El Salvador signed a cooperation agreement with USAID to deliver oversight and organisational services for a community service alternative for juvenile offenders. The agreement provides financial and technical assistance with the national ministry offering a range of project options to various juvenile courts in municipalities located in the department of San Salvador.

PF Bahamas launches the Sycamore Tree Project®

On 3 November, PF Bahamas held the first session of the Sycamore Tree Project®(STP) after six months of preparatory work. As a part of the programme launch, the national ministry, along with the Bahamas Prison Service, hosted an opening ceremony attended by the Commissioner of Prisons and the Minister for Social Development. With permission of the six victim and six prisoner participants, several press organisations also sent representatives to the opening ceremony.

Creating Business Plans for a Better Future in Texas

The InnerChange Freedom Initiative (IFI) at the Carol Vance Unit in Richmond Texas offers participants many opportunities to build habits and skills to help them reintegrate into their communities. Among these is the Business Plan Competition, now in its eighth year.

Update from PF Germany

In September, PF Germany celebrated the 8th anniversary for its Seehaus Leonberg programme for young offenders aged 14 to 23. Close to 1000 people attended the “Day of the Offender 2011” event with representatives from both the Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches speaking. Other speakers included the previous and current Justice Ministers of Baden Wurttemberg state, the Mayor of Leonberg and a national television presenter.

Alternatives for juveniles in Bulgaria

Recently I provided restorative conferencing training for Prison Fellowship Bulgaria (PF Bulgaria) and several of its partner agencies. The twenty participants represented different public and non-governmental organisations including the Department for Child Protection, the Anti-bullying Commission of Vratsa, the Cultural Centre of Vratsa, the Probation Department, Caritas- Ruse and PF Bulgaria.

PF Nicaragua promoting legal assistance for prisoners

In their work with prisoners, PF Nicaragua volunteers often encounter prisoners who have completed their sentences but not been released due to judicial delays as well as other legal issues. In response, the national ministry developed two partnerships resulting in agreements with The Supreme Court of Justice of Nicaragua and the American College University in Managua. The agreements create mechanisms for PF Nicaragua social defense volunteers, aided by law students, to provide assistance to review and process cases.

Reaching the marginalized in Lesotho

In late August, PF Lesotho partnered with World Vision for a three day workshop titled “Community Building Agents.” Serving 20 young males known as “herd boys” the workshop sought to raise awareness about the harm of crime and the responsibility for actions taken.

Sycamore Tree and its legacy in Rwanda

PF Rwanda first implemented its adaptation of the Sycamore Tree Project® -- the Umuvumu Tree Project – in 2002 in response to the continuing tensions and trauma related to the 1994 genocide. As of May 2011, 45,000 prisoners and 10,000 community members have participated in the programme resulting in statements of forgiveness and acts of reconciliation. In the words of one participant, “It is amazing how victims and perpetrators can come together today and have discussions about the past, present, and future without fear.”