Justice project could go UK wide

Jason is serving an indeterminate sentence for robbery

A Cardiff prison scheme which brings together offenders and victims of crime has proved so successful it could be extended across the UK.

Almost 100 offenders and 33 victims have taken part in the Sori (Support Offender Rehabilitation Inside) project over the past two years.

Run by the chaplaincy service, it sees inmates confront their crimes. And managers insist it is no soft option.

The project is being discussed at a conference at City Hall, Cardiff.

Offenders begin with a week-long awareness course in which they look at how it affected the victim and the wider community.

I had no right to do what I did that day. The pain and suffering I put you through was wrong. I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart Jason, jailed for robbery

The offender then publicly apologises by reading out a letter to a group of people including crime victims.

Chaplain Julia Houlston-Clark said: "They describe what they did, apologise and say how they are trying to repair the harm... to stop it happening again."

Several offenders have been reduced to tears.

Peter Morgan, of the South Wales Criminal Justice Board, said one man found the public apology so tough that prison officers had to help him stand up.

In his letter Jason, 26, who is serving an indeterminate sentence for robbery, wrote: "I had no right to do what I did that day. The pain and suffering I put you through was wrong. I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart."

Almost 100 offenders have taken part in the scheme

Offenders then sign a contract outlining the steps they are going to take to stop their offending. It is then arranged for them to meet victims of similar crimes.

"I was genuinely remorseful but this course has made me a lot more aware of the kind of damage I've caused. I never thought about the destruction I left in my path."

Eventually, and when possible, they may also send a letter of apology to their actual victim.

Coming face-to-face with a burglar in her own home left Tracey afraid to go anywhere.

She said: "The programme has done a lot of good. My attitude before was 'you do the crime, you do the time'. What they go through, even saying sorry, takes a lot of doing."

It hits you when you listen to their stories. It's guilt you are feeling even though did not commit that particular crime Mark, murderer

John Trew, national officer for Victim Support Wales, said: "Sometimes being a victim of crime can destroy your life. Every day they wake up affected by it.

"This is one of the ways that can help victims move forward, come to terms with it and see the perpetrators as flawed, real human beings and not monsters."

Mark, a murderer, has become a peer tutor on the course.

Mark, who met murder victims' relatives, said: "It hits you when you listen to their stories. It's guilt you are feeling even though did not commit that particular crime."

The 38-year-old, who is studying for a diploma caring for people with learning difficulties, said the course made him realise he can "put something back into the community".