CEP Probation

25/11/2025

Today, 25 November, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. Recognised globally, including by UNESCO, this day reminds us of the urgent need to prevent violence, support survivors, and strengthen collective action. It also launches the 16 Days of Activism, calling for continued engagement to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

This message strongly reflects the discussions at the recent CEP Conference on Gender-Based Violence in Probation (https://www.cep-probation.org/cep-15th-general-assembly-an-international-conference-on-gender-based-violence-in-probation/) held on 15 and 16 October. Professionals from across Europe highlighted the same priorities recognised today: coordinated responses, evidence-informed and trauma-informed practice, and the vital role of justice and community services in prevention, intervention, and protection.

This commitment continues throughout the year through the CEP Expert Group on Gender-Based Violence (https://www.cep-probation.org/expert-groups/gender-based-violence/), where representatives from European probation organisations work together to share knowledge, develop guidance, and strengthen approaches to addressing gender-based violence.

As we observe this important day, CEP reaffirms its commitment to building safer communities and supporting efforts to ensure all women and girls can live free from violence.

24/11/2025

Last week (18–20 November 2025), CEP took part in the 15th Plenary Meeting of the Council for Penological Co-operation in Strasbourg.

CEP was represented by President Annie Devos, Vice-Presidents Danijela Mrhar Prelic and Daniel Danglades, and Secretary General Jana Spero Kamenjarin.
Learn more on the CEP website. (www.cep-probation.org)

21/11/2025

The CEP Expert Group on Mental Health met this week to advance the European mental health training curriculum for probation officers. A first draft was recently reviewed by 13 probation services and around 30 professionals. The group discussed all feedback and will continue refining the curriculum in the coming months.

An in-person meeting is planned for early 2026, when work will also begin on practical materials and a guide to support probation officers working with probationers experiencing mental health difficulties. These resources will be translated into multiple EU languages.

The Expert Group will continue meeting regularly as this important initiative progresses. Learn more about the expert group on the CEP website (https://www.cep-probation.org/expert-groups/mental-health/)

21/11/2025

Last week (12–13 November 2025), CEP Secretary General Jana Špero Kamenjarin took part in the Multilateral Meeting on Women in Prison at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

She spoke about gender-sensitive alternatives to pre-trial detention and sentencing, stressing the importance of community-based measures and the role of probation in supporting women’s rehabilitation.

CEP continues to advance gender equality across Europe through its Gender Equality and Diversity Policy and its Expert Group on Gender-Based Violence. Learn more on the CEP website.

13/11/2025

🎥 New on Division_Y:
Stephan Leißner, probation officer from Bavaria, shares insights on event-based group work and its role in supporting rehabilitation.

▶️ Watch now (German w/ English subtitles):
https://youtu.be/6uaYEp64N8Y

12/11/2025

CEP together with Europris have hosted the Foreign Nationals in Prison and Probation (FNPP) Expert Group Meeting in Madrid, Spain. Welcomed by the Director General and the Secretary General of the General Secretariat of Penitentiary Institutions at their headquarters, this two-day meeting brought together experts from across Europe to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and discuss recent developments in the management and treatment of foreign nationals in prison and probation.

On Day 1, discussions focused on the revision of CM/Rec(2012)12, best practices concerning FNPPs, nationals imprisoned abroad, and the implementation of FD 909 and FD 947.

Day 2 included an e-learning module, discussions on the revision of the CoE Europe (European Programme for Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals) course, followed by one-on-one sessions on facilitating multi-agency cooperation and promoting change through small steps that stick. The motto for the day was: “Collaboration does not always need permission, just purpose.”

A big thank you to all experts for making this two-day meeting insightful and inspiring! We look forward to continued collaboration and further exchanges with our expert group members.

06/11/2025

We’ve just concluded the final CoPPer conference in The Hague. Nearly 70 participants joined us from across Europe and beyond, making it a truly inspiring event. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our results, reflect on our journey, and celebrate what we’ve achieved together.
A heartfelt thank-you to all the partners for their dedication, collaboration, and commitment throughout the project. And thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this event a success!

04/11/2025

The Workshop on Transition from Prison to Probation will include two practical, interactive sessions led by experienced professionals.
1️ Trauma-Informed Homes: Balancing Care and Control in the Journey from Custody to Community
2️ Building Buy-In: Strengthening Multi-Agency Commitment in Prison-to-Probation Transitions
These sessions will offer practical tools and examples that participants can adapt to their own contexts, helping to improve coordination, rehabilitation and reintegration.
📅LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LEFT TO REGISTER– register before 17 November 2025.
🔗 https://cutt.ly/krTdqrjM

04/11/2025

Go Follow Copper to learn more about this project!

At the CBO Summit last Thursday 23rd October we heard from panel discussions on a variety of topics of relevance and interest to those working in the criminal justice sector.

One panel discussion in the afternoon was on the topic of Volunteerism in Probation. This panel included Tony Swaine, Senior Probation Officer with the Irish Probation Service, Dr Katharina Swirak, Lecturer and Deputy Head of the Department of Sociology and Criminology at University College Cork, Alan Quinn, Southern Regional Manager with Le Chéile Mentoring and Michael E. Daly, Co-ordinator of the Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) programme with Pace.

Tony and Katharina are both involved with the European CoPPer Project - Cooperation to Promote a European Volunteering Programme in Probation Services. They spoke about the work of the CoPPer Project, with Katharina discussing her evidence review on volunteering in probation.

Alan and Michael spoke of the role of volunteers in their respective services. They outlined the skills and value volunteers bring to working with probation clients to support community building and social inclusion.

The panel discussion was very well received by those in attendance who had an opportunity to hear about the CoPPer Project, as well as the vital and impactful role volunteers play in supporting the work of Community Based Organisations and the Probation Service.

29/10/2025

CEP’s latest newsletter is out now! Articles on the 15th General Assembly, CEP conference: Gender-Based Violence in Probation, CEP Awards, CEP seeks audit of CEP website, and more.>> Read here: https://mailchi.mp/08606e7d20cb/newsletter2025-12850941