Upside, Scotland's new national prison throughcare service was launched in Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket on 1 April 2025. Designed to support people moving from short-term custody or remand back into the community, Upside offers trauma-informed, person-centred support tailored to individual needs.
Upside is delivered through a partnership of eight leading charities—Access to Industry, Action for Children, Apex Scotland, Barnardo’s, Circle, Families Outside, Turning Point Scotland and led by Sacro. It offers consistent, trauma-informed and person-centred support across the country.
Upside focuses on reducing reoffending, supporting reintegration, and improving outcomes for people and communities. There’s no judgement, no catch, and no downside—just meaningful support at a crucial time.
The Upside model balances national consistency with local delivery, supporting people from their entry into custody through to their return to the community. It addresses critical gaps in Scotland’s justice system, including targeted support for people who previously had no access to throughcare such as males on remand and young people—ensuring no one is left behind.
What sets Upside apart is its national, unified approach, bringing together what were previously separate services for men and women into a single, consistent model of support for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or location. This scale enables a more coordinated response, shared learning across regions, and stronger links between custody and community services. Upside provides seamless, person-centred support beginning from entry into prison and continuing through release and beyond—helping with housing, health, finances, substance use, and rebuilding family connections.
By drawing on lived experience, stakeholder insight and proven approaches, Upside also contributes to Scotland’s wider vision for a just, safe, and resilient society—sharing learning and good practice to inform future justice reform. Annie Mauger-Thompson, Chief Executive of Sacro said:
“This partnership brings together the expertise, compassion, and dedication of eight organisations to create a truly transformative model of throughcare. By uniting our efforts, we will deliver consistent, person-centred support at a critical point in people’s lives, enabling sustainable futures and building safer, more connected communities.”
Now available across Scotland, Upside will be embedded throughout Scotland’s prison estate and community networks. Its consistent national structure is delivered through locally focused “pods”, connecting the partnership organisations with Community Justice Partnerships, recovery networks, and local services.
A throughcare staff member explained:
“When people come out [of prison] and that first day doesn’t go to plan and they’re still left with needs unmet, they’re so much more likely to return to either an abusive relationship or drugs or alcohol or negative coping behaviours. We will have someone there at the gate waiting to take them home, take them to a safe place and get them sorted.”
Upside’s whole-family approach recognises that successful reintegration often relies on rebuilding and maintaining personal relationships. The service supports families alongside the individual, helping to create a stable environment that benefits everyone.
Funded by the Scottish Government with a £5.3 million annual investment, Upside represents a major commitment to justice reform. By working collaboratively, the service aims to reduce reoffending, strengthen community safety, and foster long-term change through positive, trusted relationships.
“I thought I would have no one, but I have someone because Ihave her... She’s been my friend, my support, my help and my honesty.”
A woman supported by throughcare
