The Sycamore Tree Project (STP) is based on the story of Jesus and Zaccheus in Luke 19:1-10 (New Living Translation):

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zaccheus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there.

When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zaccheus and called him by name. “Zaccheus!” he said. “Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today.”

Zaccheus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the crowds were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

Meanwhile, Zaccheus stood there and said to the Lord, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be the son of Abraham. And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost.”

The STP is a model of Restorative Justice. It has the following features:

• Voluntary participation of inmates and victims.
• A way of showing participants the love and mercy of Jesus.
• Crime victims are given the chance to tell inmates how they have been affected and the hurt they feel.
• Inmates are given an opportunity to consider how they can try to make things right with their victims.
• Inmates and victims are given the chance to explain, in a public celebration, what they have learned about the meaning and important of healing the hurt and making things right.
• Finally, the group meets in public celebration and graduation ceremonies.

If you wish to know more about the Sycamore Tree Project, leave a message in Contact Us.

Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused or revealed by criminal behaviour. It is best accomplished through cooperative processes that include all stakeholders.

Practices and programs reflecting restorative purposes will respond to crime by: (a) identifying and taking steps to repair harm, (b) involving all stakeholders, and (c) transforming the traditional relationship between communities and their governments in responding to crime.

Visit Restorative Justice Online for more information.

(Note: Image taken from Sycamore Gap by GetCarter2007)