The Circle
A transformative personal development programme delivered within the Irish prison system since 2021.
When the original wounds go unhealed, the cycle continues
Many people in prison have carried heavy life paths, often beginning with adverse childhood experiences and unresolved trauma. 70% of those entering the Irish prison system have some form of addiction, and close to half of those released reoffend within a year (CSO). When the original wounds go unhealed, the cycle continues.
The potential for healing and growth is within people
Over 4 to 8 workshops (with longer 16-week formats also delivered), groups go on a developmental journey: building a healthy relationship with their authentic selves, their emotions, their values and other people. The person-centred approach puts participants in the driving seat. They become their own teachers, walking the talk together.
The programme is deeply influenced by Dr Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry, a therapeutic approach to trauma, addiction and recovery.
What the journey
sets out to do
- Understand who and what has shaped their life path
- Recognise and navigate limiting beliefs
- Build an EQ toolkit: self-awareness, empathy, expression, listening
- Learn from adversity and build resilience
- Construct an empowered, compassionate life narrative
- Design aspirational values as a guide for life beyond the walls
We are born in relationship, we are wounded in relationship, we are healed in relationship.
When elite sport met prison rehabilitation
In 2025, Ireland captain Caelan Doris sat in on a Circle session with 18 men on their rehabilitation journey. The lads had questions for Caelan; he had questions for them. All were struck by how he showed up: present, open, deeply human.
At the end, one man turned to him and said: “When you go over the try line, the landings erupt with noise. That helps. Thank you.”
Learnings from
The Circle
In their
own words
“You can be locked up physically, but free in the mind”
“The dots are connecting”
Questions about
The Circle
Who/what has influenced the approach?
The programme adopts a humanistic approach to group-work. When compassion and safety is present, participants can unlock their innate healing, growth and potential. To create the right conditions, I have leaned on the teachings of psychologist/therapist Gabor Mate, via his course 'Compassionate Inquiry'. I am also grateful for teacher and researcher Lorraine Higgins in illuminating the power of person-centred rehabilitation models.
Is this programmeavailable for groups outside of prison?
Yes it is. A similar version of the programmeis available for men and women in communities nationwide. The content is tailored depending on particular goals and needs.
No FAQs found.
Acknowledgements
With special thanks to Spéire Nua, Damien Quinn and the Irish Prison Service for their ongoing support of this work.
