Document Actions
Observations of a Visitor—Sycamore Tree Project®
Last modified 2006-02-01 08:25
Prepared by Lynne Ridgeway of the Victim-Offender Mediation Unit who attended the final session of the Pilot Programme at Acacia Prison 2005.
This is a reflection on my observations and thoughts having been
invited to attend the final session. This was a Celebration of the end
of the programme and an opportunity for participants to comment on
their experiences.
What was immediately apparent was the genuine and committed involvement of the victim group. The 3 women and 2 men all described what appeared to be quite profound and personal experiences. Several suggested their involvement had brought about a significant shift in what certainly sounded like previous depressive states. The offences against the victims were largely those of violence with one person being the secondary victim of sex offences against her children. The group showed strong cohesion and despite the difficult feelings the victims expressed at times, and the vulnerability this exposed them to, their reports were positive and emotions were deeply expressed. The victim group members showed surprise and wonderment at the power of the experience and might best be described as euphoric at times. The victims espoused strong Christian values and beliefs and seemed very comfortable and confident in describing their experiences in these terms.
The offender group was made up of 6 men who had committed sexual offences and who are protection prisoners. One of the group was unable to attend this session and his absence was commented on throughout the proceedings with regret. Some of the men had invited a fellow prisoner as their guest. Each prisoner had an opportunity to describe how the programme had impacted on them. They appeared generally comfortable within the group and were able to express themselves confidently and articulately. The general sense from the prisoners was one of privilege â that is, the notion that they seemed grateful for the opportunity to participate and surprised at the non judgemental nature and warmth with which the victim group had received them. Generally, the prisonersâ expressed emotion was less wide ranging than the victim group, though it was universally positive. One of the men identified his own offending and commented specifically on how he understood this to impact on his victims and the broad losses this had caused him. The others spoke in more general terms about what the course meant to them. Given the nature of the offences, and the fact that the session included visitors who were strangers to the group, this is not surprising.
My observations are based only on the one session I was invited to attend, although from comments made by the participants and facilitators, it seems a sense of restoration existed throughout the programme.
I appreciate and understand that the programme is underpinned by Christian values and hence the âdiscourseâ tended to be of a religious nature. It was clear that the victim group in particular found this frame of reference comfortable and derived strength and support from it. In considering the power of the process and the obvious immediate benefits amongst the participants, I am led to ask from what source the programme draws its power and whether the programme can be successfully replicated within a more secular group of victims and offenders. As a mediator with the Department of Justice, I have the opportunity to participate in meetings between people who have committed offences against others and the victims of those offences. Where people chose to meet face to face there is a significant opportunity for healing on both sides, however, not everyone is ready to or wants to meet in this way. It takes considerable courage for either party to enter into such a process. The Sycamore Tree Project offers an opportunity for people to achieve the benefits of this powerful process in an indirect way via surrogacy.
Whilst the principles of the STP are universal, the discourse is specific to its faith based purpose. I believe the process has potential for many âvictimsâ and âoffendersâ who seek release, closure and healing, though some may not be open to the religious context of the programme in its current form. Given its potential, what opportunity might be lost merely for the want of an alternative medium of communication? These observations are entirely personal, and in no way critical, but I am conscious of what might be achieved by STP if it is able to explore other âlanguagesâ to create its message and meaning. It seems to me there are many ways of expressing belief systems which advocate such principles â Peter Singerâs utilitarian approach, Sartre and Heideggerâs existentialist philosophies, even Carl Sagonâs humanist challenge. I coincidentally came across something the Dalai Lama said which seems apt:
Compassion is not religious business, it is human business,
it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental
stability, it is essential for human survival.â
~ Dalai Lama
21st century spiritual and political leader of Tibet and Nobel Peace Prize winner (1989)
It is my sincere hope that the Sycamore Tree Project is made available to as broad a range of âoffendersâ and âvictimsâ as possible. If I, or VMU, can be of assistance to future programmes please do not hesitate to contact me. I offer these comments with warm regard and appreciation for the opportunity to be present at the final session of the inaugural programme.
Lynne Ridgeway
Senior Mediation Officer
Victim-offender Mediation Unit.
12 December 2005
What was immediately apparent was the genuine and committed involvement of the victim group. The 3 women and 2 men all described what appeared to be quite profound and personal experiences. Several suggested their involvement had brought about a significant shift in what certainly sounded like previous depressive states. The offences against the victims were largely those of violence with one person being the secondary victim of sex offences against her children. The group showed strong cohesion and despite the difficult feelings the victims expressed at times, and the vulnerability this exposed them to, their reports were positive and emotions were deeply expressed. The victim group members showed surprise and wonderment at the power of the experience and might best be described as euphoric at times. The victims espoused strong Christian values and beliefs and seemed very comfortable and confident in describing their experiences in these terms.
The offender group was made up of 6 men who had committed sexual offences and who are protection prisoners. One of the group was unable to attend this session and his absence was commented on throughout the proceedings with regret. Some of the men had invited a fellow prisoner as their guest. Each prisoner had an opportunity to describe how the programme had impacted on them. They appeared generally comfortable within the group and were able to express themselves confidently and articulately. The general sense from the prisoners was one of privilege â that is, the notion that they seemed grateful for the opportunity to participate and surprised at the non judgemental nature and warmth with which the victim group had received them. Generally, the prisonersâ expressed emotion was less wide ranging than the victim group, though it was universally positive. One of the men identified his own offending and commented specifically on how he understood this to impact on his victims and the broad losses this had caused him. The others spoke in more general terms about what the course meant to them. Given the nature of the offences, and the fact that the session included visitors who were strangers to the group, this is not surprising.
My observations are based only on the one session I was invited to attend, although from comments made by the participants and facilitators, it seems a sense of restoration existed throughout the programme.
I appreciate and understand that the programme is underpinned by Christian values and hence the âdiscourseâ tended to be of a religious nature. It was clear that the victim group in particular found this frame of reference comfortable and derived strength and support from it. In considering the power of the process and the obvious immediate benefits amongst the participants, I am led to ask from what source the programme draws its power and whether the programme can be successfully replicated within a more secular group of victims and offenders. As a mediator with the Department of Justice, I have the opportunity to participate in meetings between people who have committed offences against others and the victims of those offences. Where people chose to meet face to face there is a significant opportunity for healing on both sides, however, not everyone is ready to or wants to meet in this way. It takes considerable courage for either party to enter into such a process. The Sycamore Tree Project offers an opportunity for people to achieve the benefits of this powerful process in an indirect way via surrogacy.
Whilst the principles of the STP are universal, the discourse is specific to its faith based purpose. I believe the process has potential for many âvictimsâ and âoffendersâ who seek release, closure and healing, though some may not be open to the religious context of the programme in its current form. Given its potential, what opportunity might be lost merely for the want of an alternative medium of communication? These observations are entirely personal, and in no way critical, but I am conscious of what might be achieved by STP if it is able to explore other âlanguagesâ to create its message and meaning. It seems to me there are many ways of expressing belief systems which advocate such principles â Peter Singerâs utilitarian approach, Sartre and Heideggerâs existentialist philosophies, even Carl Sagonâs humanist challenge. I coincidentally came across something the Dalai Lama said which seems apt:
Compassion is not religious business, it is human business,
it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental
stability, it is essential for human survival.â
~ Dalai Lama
21st century spiritual and political leader of Tibet and Nobel Peace Prize winner (1989)
It is my sincere hope that the Sycamore Tree Project is made available to as broad a range of âoffendersâ and âvictimsâ as possible. If I, or VMU, can be of assistance to future programmes please do not hesitate to contact me. I offer these comments with warm regard and appreciation for the opportunity to be present at the final session of the inaugural programme.
Lynne Ridgeway
Senior Mediation Officer
Victim-offender Mediation Unit.
12 December 2005