Over four hundred people in custody at HMP Low Moss have now completed the Sycamore Tree Course, a rehabilitation project delivered by Prison Fellowship Scotland.

The six-week course covers restorative justice, victim awareness and forgiveness. It helps individuals understand the impact of their crimes on others and how many victims they have affected. The course also allows the participant to ask for forgiveness and write a reflection letter at the end of the course that they keep and look back on.

The men who attend the course speak highly about how the course has helped them see the impact of their crimes and “the ripple effect” it has through families and communities. 

Some of the most recent participants said:

 

“It allows you to see how it affects everyone including families, it’s heart touching and a moment of realisation”.

“The course allowed me to feel normal and I really enjoyed the course. I really learned about the ripple effect”.

“The course helps you look inside and see how your crime effects so many people, this was a big help to me”.

Seven individuals standing during presentation

On Wednesday 6 March, the delivery team, who are all volunteers, facilitated their 50th course within the prison. Three out of the four women have been involved from the very start of the course in 2012.

 

Some of the volunteers said:

 

“The course really impacts people behaviours and allows them to move on from their previous life”.

“Every one of them could be my son, they are all someone’s son, that’s why I volunteer”.

“You really see the change in the participants when they realise that their families are also the victims of their crimes”.

Four women standing with paintings

To mark this milestone, the volunteers were gifted with a Sycamore Tree which had been painted by a person in custody at Low Moss. Deputy Governor Tommy Watt thanked the group for their unwavering commitment and reaffirmed the impact the course has on so many who find themselves in prison.

The Glasgow Times were invited in to capture the milestone event. Read it below:

Glasgow Times - Inside prison course transforming Low Moss inmates
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