Restorative Justice Programme

Restorative Justice principles of accepting responsibilities for past actions, seeking to make past wrongs right and committing to positive change are a foundational to our reintegration work.

Restorative Justice principles are put into action by Pathway within two areas: 

The Sycamore Tree Programme

Pathway Trust partners with Prison Fellowship NZ to provide the restorative justice based Sycamore Tree Programme at Rolleston Prison, Christchurch. Victims and offenders (not related) meet for eight sessions and are led by a trained facilitator through a series of topics leading naturally to a time in which both victims and offenders can share and express how they feel and how they wish to move forward. Offenders are invited to explore ways of making restitution for the harm caused by their criminal behaviour. Victims are given the opportunity to consider ways in which they can take control of their lives and begin their journey toward healing and restoration.

This course is great for those who have unresolved issues or unanswered questions from suffering loss or harm due to others actions. It has brought healing and peace to many of those who have participated on this course.

Request further information, if this is an area of interest to you then please contact Carey for further information on how to be part of The Sycamore Tree Programme
carey@pathway.co.nz
Ph 03 982 4853

At Previous Sycamore Tree Graduations…

Jim Anderton MP noted that he “ heard more honesty here tonight than I ever have in the house in which I work !”

Judge Carruthers, Chairman of the New Zealand Parole Board, found it to be “Superb, humbling and inspiring”

Bob Parker, Major of Christchurch noted that this programme was a “ life changer, keep it going”

Participant Stories

I had been burgled about 30 years ago and had been impressed at that time because the boys involved were made to pay us back. Nonetheless, I was interested to take part in the process of helping prisoners face victims in the context of confession, forgiveness and restitution. So I joined five other community people who have been a victims of crime, and six prisoners twice a week for four weeks. We sat down together and discussed various related topics.