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Recognising that justice should go beyond punishment toward restoration, the Sycamore Tree Project brings perpetrators and victims of crime face to face in a safe, structured space.

Developed around personal testimonies and questions that invite prisoners to reflect on the impact of their crime, this seven-week restorative justice program powerfully humanises victims (unrelated to the prisoner’s own crime). 

Encouraging understanding, compassion, remorse and restoration, the program helps inmates recognise the very real harm their actions cause and the ripple effect crime has in many people’s lives. 

Prisoners learn about:

  • taking responsibility for their crimes
  • confession and repentance for their actions
  • asking for and offering forgiveness
  • making restitution and reconciliation where possible.   

Aiming to increase responsibility and reduce reoffending, the Sycamore Tree Project moves beyond punishment toward healing by addressing past harms and preventing future damage. The program has received powerful testimonies from graduates and ‘victim’ volunteers.

Impact

Aims to reduce reoffending and prevent future harm

Focuses on restorative justice - moving beyond punishment toward healing

Inmates learn to take responsibility for their crimes

Inmates recognise the power of forgiveness

Inmates understand the importance of making restitution and reconciliation where possible

Testimonials

“Seeing the victims and the pain they have carried gave me a chance to review some of the pain I have caused my victims. It was like looking in a mirror but instead of seeing my pain, I saw only the pain of others.”
BarrySycamore Tree Project participant
“You have given me the greatest gift … a deep and real understanding and insight into what my words and actions have done. I hope with this new insight, to go on to affect others’ lives in a positive and healing way.”
JoseSycamore Tree Project participant
“During the program, I learnt about the difference between punitive and restorative justice. I learnt what it truly means to take responsibility for committing my crimes. I developed a sense of empowerment as I understood the importance of confession and being repentant. I also learnt the power and importance of forgiving yourself, and others, and being forgiven as well as agreeing to meaningful change. I found a pathway that has given me hope and confidence to be the best man I can be.”
NathanielSycamore Tree Project participant
“When you support Sycamore Tree Project you help inmates take responsibility for their crimes. To understand true repentance. To seek forgiveness, and to explore opportunities of making restitution. You also help crime survivors like me to find forgiveness and healing.”
JoannaVictim of Crime