Tosú - new beginnings for people with convictions in Ireland

In case you missed the main highlights from our latest Progress in the Penal System (PIPS) report, our spotlight focus examined the crisis of mental healthcare in Irish prisons. Key concerns highlighted in the report: - The Psychology Ratio: in July 2025, there was approximately 1 psychologist for every 183 people in prison, falling short of the international benchmark target of 1 psychologist for every 150 people.      - Forensic Mental Health Services and Acute Needs: many people in prison requiring dedicated psychiatric care cannot access healthcare alternatives before coming into contact with the criminal justice system and prisons are acting as "inadequate waiting rooms" for mental health services.      - Overcrowding & Distress: the broader crisis of chronic overcrowding has resulted in deteriorating safety, increased distress for individuals, and particularly impacts on people in custody with mental health challenges or psycho-social disabilities.   We need adequate resourcing and structural reform to ensure healthcare needs are met with health-based solutions, not a criminal justice response that leads to imprisonment.   Watch our video to learn more about this year's PIPS report, hear insights from our specialist panel, and catch the key highlights. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eXEaxuKZ

Great work Colm O' Ciardha Aliye Saybak and Fiona O'Leary, Cork networking to the max! #tosu #tosunewbeginnings #lifeafterprison

Handy guide here that outlines the way prison works and what to expect from the rules and privileges.

Today, we launch the new Criminal Justice Professionals' Doctoral Training Partnership. A collaboration between the CORD Partnership, Maynooth University, Dublin City University, South East Technological University, University College Cork and University of Limerick, we are funding FIVE partial fee waivers for criminal justice professionals to undertake a part-time PhD on a topic which will benefit the people affected by their organisations' work. For more details and information about how to apply, please see here: https://lnkd.in/dihRcP_K

Innovation is a key part of what we do in Tosú - new beginnings for people with convictions in Ireland and we have just issued a tender for an exciting innovative project. This secure app will support people leaving prison, their families, community organisations and services to access accurate, up-to-date information that will support them as they strive towards stable futures. It's a great opportunity to provide a helping hand for our clients as they embark on new beginnings after prison. Grateful for all shares in your networks for this innovative information project which is being undertaken in collaboration with the Irish Prison Service https://lnkd.in/eNDpmHQa #tosu #tosunewbeginnings #lifeafterprison

Congratulations on 4 years of community-building and quality listening from Tosú - new beginnings for people with convictions in Ireland. Your work inspires us!

We were glad to bring our insights to a recent consultation with the University of Galway National Disability Authority and Simon Communities of Ireland on Ageing, Homelessness and Environments for Access and Disability. Our decades of experience at the intersection between homelessness and custody have highlighted the main challenges faced by our clients, from administrative obstacles when trying to submit housing applications from prison, to ensuring that their existing homes are not repossessed while they are in custody. We are also concerned about the stigma experienced by our clients who are navigating the HAP system, and an emerging concern regarding potential discrimination against people with convictions within the very competitive HAP sector. We need trauma-informed care and rights-based services, as well as greater understanding for the impact of long-term institutionalisation on those who are navigating the housing sector. Thanks to Simon Communities of Ireland for the invitation and Mattia Masili for raising Tosú - new beginnings for people with convictions in Ireland's voice and we look forward to supporting the publication of the research and putting its findings into action. #lifeafterprison #newbeginnings #housingfirst #housingforall

📢 We are #hiring! Want to join our Tosú Gate Service in Cork Prison in a dynamic and rewarding job where you can really #makeadifference? For more details, and to apply click here: https://lnkd.in/d9aH9Fab #tosunewbeginnings