News

PF Swaziland volunteer brings victims and offenders together

Recently, Dennis Shongwe responded to a case of common assault in his community by approaching both the victim and the offender to ask if they wanted to participate in a restorative conference. In doing so, the active PF Swaziland volunteer decided to put into practice some of the concepts he learned at the International Diploma in Restorative Justice course in July 2011.

PF Nicaragua providing legal services for prisoners

In 2011, PF Nicaragua formed the Defensoría Social to provide legal counsel to prisoners who may have completed sentences or earned the possibility of release through various legal mechanisms. A team consisting of three volunteer lawyers and eleven law students identify qualifying prisoners and bring their case before the courts.

Sycamore Tree Project® from a Victim’s Perspective

Recently, Martin Howard, Sycamore Tree Project® (STP) facilitator in Australia, and Ross Thompson, a victim participant, spoke about their experience in an 18 minute radio interview. Ross spoke of the impact of losing his son in a brutal murder.

Sycamore Tree Project® in Fiji’s Women’s Correctional Centre

“Having female inmates as part of the course has been an eye opening experience for all of us,” said PF Fiji’s executive director Dan Savou after facilitating his second Sycamore Tree Project® (STP) course. The course, which ran in the Women’s Correctional Centre in late 2011, included eleven female prisoners and two victims.

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.