The Sycamore Tree Project is a restorative justice program that brings together victims and unrelated prisoners through facilitated sessions. The sessions use a curriculum guide to discuss the impact of crime, responsibility, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Research on over 5,000 prisoners found it significantly increased victim empathy and reduced acceptance of offending. The program operates in over 25 countries and has involved thousands of victims and prisoners since 1998.

1. Sycamore Tree Project® A model of restorative justice

2. In-prison restorative justice programme Brings together unrelated prisoners and victims Facilitator leads sessions using a curriculum guide What is the Sycamore Tree Project®?

3. STP Essential Elements Victims and offenders meet together. Discussions on impact of crime, responsibility, confession, repentance, forgiveness, amends & reconciliation. Christian facilitator helps create a community governed by respect, equality, confidentiality, active participation & understanding.

4. Learning is through guided discussions. Symbolic acts of restitution. Concluding celebration Participants know that STP is based on the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. STP Essential Elements

5. Research conducted by Sheffield Hallam University’s Research Centre for Community Justice Measured attitude changes Over 5,000 prisoners Independent Evaluation

6. Findings: Significant increase in victim empathy Acceptance of offending went down. STP changed attitudes in ways known to reduce repeat offending. Independent Evaluation

7. STP – Making a difference around the world This course has helped me to forgive myself for past transgressions and has helped me to move to a place where I can see that forgiving the person who killed my daughter is possible. --Victim PF Australia Western Australia (2005) New South Wales (2008 pilot, 2011) Queensland (2011) Between 2008 and 2011 has served 140 victims 238 prisoners

11. STP – Making a difference around the world PF Guam Implemented July 2008 Between 2008 and 2011 served 13 Victims 53 Prisoners

12. STP – Making a difference around the world PF Hungary Implemented in 2003 Between 2008 and 2011 served 47 Victims 51 Prisoners

13. STP – Making a difference around the world “I was hesitant to start this course but after the first encounter, something inside me has changed.” -- victim PF Italy Implemented 2010 In 2010 and 2011 served 8 Victims 13 Prisoners

16. STP – Making a difference around the world "I kept in mind that the police would come to arrest me. But I did not want to go to the police myself. Of course not. Now I think differently. It was just unnecessary. I would like to talk to the victim and to say that I'm sorry. I wonder if he accepts my apology.“ -- Prisoner PF Northern Ireland Implemented in 2004 Relaunched in 2010 Between 2008 and 2011 served 0 Victims 4 Prisoners

21. STP – Making a difference around the world PF Solomon Islands Implemented 2008 Adapted to address ethnic conflict

23. STP – Making a difference around the world After serving my jail term, I had plans of going back to those who brought me here, i.e. the victims and the police, and teach them a lesson. But after going through the lessons on this programme, I came to realise that I should be responsible for my actions. --Prisoner PF Zambia Implemented 2006 Between 2008 and 2011 served 4 Victims 169 Prisoners

25. Kazakhstan

27. For More Information www.pfi.org/cjr/stp