More Than Punishment: Restoring Lives in Prison
A symbolic act completed by a participant on a Sycamore Tree course
One of the best parts of my job with Prison Fellowship Scotland is when people get in touch to share how well a Sycamore Tree course has gone. Of course, we also hear when things don’t go to plan—when sessions falter or participants don’t show up. But more and more, we’re hearing powerful stories of lives being deeply impacted by this restorative justice programme. Just recently, a volunteer shared feedback. They had used the “ripple effect” illustration to explore the wider impact of crime. One participant responded:
“I could never have understood the level of harm I’ve caused. I thought it was just me and my victim—I hadn’t really considered the pain to the victim’s family, my own family, or the wider community.”
In another course at i a different prison, one man became emotional as he reflected on the harm he’d caused and the ripple of consequences. He shared how determined he now was never to repeat the mistakes of his past.
These are not just moments of guilt or sadness—they are seeds of transformation.
Punishment vs. Restoration
In Scotland, prison numbers remain high. Sadly, our system still leans heavily toward retribution, with limited focus on rehabilitation or restoration. This is a core issue explored in the Sycamore Tree course. Almost every time, someone says the same thing—that a punitive system doesn’t work, and they long for the chance to live differently. Real change is only possible when restoration is genuinely offered.
Scotland has been slow to introduce structured, accessible restorative justice in prisons. But we remain hopeful. Prison Fellowship Scotland is part of a small forum pushing this agenda forward, and we value your prayers for progress and for greater recognition of the value of a restorative approach. This isn't just about reducing reoffending—it’s about transforming lives. It’s about recognising harm, rebuilding lives, and restoring relationships. It’s about real, lasting change.
Most of all, we want lives to change.
A Word of Hope
Let me leave you with one final story. After watching a video during the course, one participant said:
“This will sound crazy, but that video just spoke to me. That’s been my life, and I’m sick of it. I’m going to speak to my Social Worker—because that man in the video is just me, and I need to change. You’ve taught me here that I can change, that change is possible, and I’m going to change.”
He later told us he was heading straight to rehab after release—because he didn’t want to be “just another failed release.” Please pray for him, and for all who take part in Sycamore Tree, that their steps toward change would take root and grow.