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. What is crime? What is it to take responsibility for my actions? What is the difference between confession and repentance? Why do we need to forgive? What happens if we do/don’t? What plan could you put in place for restitution to be made? What if your victim has died? These and many more ‘meaty’ questions were discussed in a facilitated group process, sometimes all together and sometimes in pairs or fours.

The programme follows restorative justice principles, which places a focus on the people affected by crime (victims and offenders) rather than simply on a crime event.

For me the most memorable and moving part of the whole programme came, when at each session someone shared their story – as much or as little as they liked. I was so impressed the first night when a mature man shared his life very openly and truly looking for some resolution to the guilt and shame he felt. I know I was close to tears and suspect others felt the same.

The real highlight came for me on the seventh night. Three people, (victims of crime) shared the abuse they had suffered as children. Mainly this was from parents or family members. I felt totally sickened as I listened and I could imagine them as little people. The pain and suffering they had gone through really got to me. It was like they never had the chance of a happy life. Later I came to realise that ten out of the twelve of us had suffered abuse as children, both victims and prisoners alike. Somehow this seemed helpful. Some had made different life choices despite their difficult start in life.

Overall this experience has made me resolve to endeavour to have some input into the lives of those in prison. As yet the details are unclear.

"Prisoners all voluntary chose to attend and are recommended by prison authorities. Community participants can be referred by family, friends or themselves. Age is no barrier. If you have been a victim at any time in your life and believe you could participate in this programme, I can assure you it will change you and may help you to come to grips with the hurts or scars you have suffered. It only takes 16 hours but could change your life for good-forever. Why not give it a go?”
Community participant

My crimes affected me and my family more than anything. It filled my life with a lot of anxiety and created a lot of stress and tension for everyone around me. Because of the crime, you lose a lot of trust from friends and family. This has been a big problem for me. I went on The Sycamore Tree Programme while in prison. What stood out for me was the openness of the group, the fact that everyone participated; it was a very open forum. Once you are in the prison system you don’t hear anything, the victim is no longer important, it’s just about doing your sentence. The most important thing for me was to hear the victims experiences, which brings back to you what the full extent of the crime actually involves.
Inmate participant

We chose inmates for the programme very carefully, looking for ones who would be open to change. Once they began, I was astounded at their response, the feedback was very genuine, the empathy and remorse was real, not like before when they just gave us the run down in parrot fashion. What they were now saying wasn’t just to please me.

When one of our guys gets sentenced in court, the judge will explain the effects their crime has had on victims but it has no real meaning. One of the major differences with The Sycamore Tree Programme is that it is face to face. Meeting a victim makes a difference to understanding and changing an offender’s perspective on criminal behaviour.
Principal Corrections Officer