A series of coffee trailers in Dublin only employs ex-prisoners in order to help them reintegrate into society. 

Established by Prisoners Aid through Community Effort (PACE), Mug Shot’s main mission is to help people get back into employment after time in prison. 

One coffee trailer is based in Bridgefoot Street Park, and the other coffee kiosk is in the public car park of the Four Courts. 

PACE also offers training in metalwork and woodwork, although it has found recently that barista training is becoming increasingly popular. 

PACE Training Manager Pearse O’Reilly told Moncrieff PACE first started as a training and support service 55 years ago but wanted to expand.

“Training wasn’t enough - we became commercial so people coming out of prison would have work experience in a real commercial environment,” he said. 

“What you offer is very basic and highly supervised training from the outset... they get more independence and a position of trust. 

“When they are well qualified, we send them off on their way. 

“There’s been two ex-prisoners that want to set up their own businesses now.” 

Mr O’Reilly said it’s important to find a way to support ex-prisoners re-entering society. 

“People coming out of prison, many are homeless, jobless, they might have very few skill,” he said. 

“They certainly would not have relevant work experience depending on the time they’ve been in prison. 

“People struggle to reintegrate, so you help them.” 

Helping ex-prisoners

Mr O’Reilly explained different prisons will evaluate whether outgoing prisoners are suitable for training. 

“The prison system and probation systems are getting very good at transitioning people out,” he said. 

“Everybody who comes to us comes to us through a filtering system, so they are allowed to work with the general public. 

“Everybody there in the coffee cart is there voluntarily trying to make a future for themselves.” 

PACE also offers counselling services to prisoners in training. 

Mug Shot is open from 8am to 6pm everyday in Bridgefoot St Park, Dublin 7 or the public carpark of the Four Courts.