QUEENSLAND CHAPTER 2013 WORKSHOPS
Inside the Sycamore Tree Prison Program
Martin Howard (Prison Fellowship) & Ross Thompson (Qld Homicide Victims Support Group)
In April 2013, Martin and Ross presented to an enthusiastic group remarkable stories from their involvement in the Sycamore Tree Program. Almost one third of Aussies have been victims of some kind of crime. Chances are, everyone at the workshop knew a few.
The Sycamore Tree Project is a remarkable program which brings groups of crime survivors into prison to meet with unrelated offenders over a two-month period. Research from the UK and NZ has found that the program significantly increases cognitive empathy.
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QUEENSLAND CHAPTER LAUNCH
November, 2011
The newly-formed Queensland Chapter was launched in November, 2011 at a function hosted by Griffith University at Southbank, Brisbane. Over one hundred members of the local community gathered to initiate the Chapter, formally opened by Judge John Robertson and RPI Chair Leigh Garrett. A lecture by Prof Pamela Snow addressed the issue of verbal competence for engagement with the justice system and implications of her research for restorative practitioners. Judges, police, Youth Justice, teachers, principals, social workers, chaplains, and interested community members made up the energetic audience.
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To contact the Queensland Chapter Committee, please email secretary@rpiqueensland.org
Marg Thorsborne Chair – Queensland Chapter