A Christian based restorative justice programme running at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison plans to extend to two other prisons in the Midland Region over the coming months.

The innovative programme brings inmates and community volunteers who are victims of unrelated crimes together to work through the restorative justice process.

Sandy Stoddart, Programme Supply and Facilitation Manager Midland Region Public Prisons, says the Sycamore Tree programme has been running successfully at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison for the past three years.

"I believe the programme's effectiveness lies in the fact it asks offenders to fully acknowledge and understand the impact of their offending. It's a very powerful process and the aim is to bring the offenders to a point where they can, with their victim's consent, participate in a restorative justice meeting with the victim of their offending."

The programme was named after the story in the bible about Zacchaeus, a dishonest tax collector who climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view of Jesus. After the pair met, Zacchaeus repented and agreed to pay back his victims.

Rex Cooper is the Associate Chaplain at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison and helps facilitate the programme. He says the programme is not an easy one, for either party.

"Each session covers a specific topic, such as taking responsibility for your actions, forgiveness, reconciliation or restitution. It takes a lot of courage for both the inmates and the volunteers," says Rex.

As well as helping inmates address their offending behaviour, Rex believes the programme is also profoundly positive for the community volunteers.

"Participating in the programme gives the community volunteers a chance to start the healing process and move on with their lives."

Inmates who wish to participate in the programme go through a screening process to determine their level of motivation and suitability. The programme is open to all inmates, Christian and non-Christian.

Sandy says the programme has now been picked up by Manawatu Prison, and there are plans to extend it to Wanganui Prison over the next few months.

 This article originally appeared in NZ Corrections News published by the New Zealand Department of Corrections.