Previous Article
News
19th Bill McWilliams Memorial lecture on penal reform and probation in Europe
Vivian Geiran, Director of the Irish Probation Service delivered the nineteenth Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture in Cambridge University on Monday 20th June 2016. The theme of Vivian’s lecture was: Penal Reform and Probation in Europe: Positive Change of Direction, ‘Nudges to the Rudder,’ or ‘Steady as She Goes’?
Vivian’s presentation highlighted some of the positive ‘straws in the wind’ of penal policy change in Europe and the influence of probation and other factors on this. He concluded that while positive gains can be fragile and must be protected and fostered, we should be confident for the future, as long as we keep forward momentum, even in small ways, and exercise leadership, including listening to voices from the side and outside (the otherwise excluded, and those whose voices may not otherwise be heard, including offenders).
A video of the lecture can be accessed via the following link: Bill McWilliams memorial Lecture June 2015
Related News
Keep up to date with the latest developments, stories, and updates on probation from across Europe and beyond. Find relevant news and insights shaping the field today.
New
Uncategorized
CEP at the EMPRO Symposium hosted by ERA
04/02/2026
CEP actively contributed to the EMPRO Knowledge Exchange Symposium hosted by the Academy of European Law (ERA) in Trier on 28–29 January, bringing together practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to reflect on the implementation of EU Framework Decisions in probation and supervision.
New
Alternatives to pre-trial detention, Community Sanctions and Measures, Framework Decisions, Technology
Future of Criminal Justice: CEP’s Contribution to Key 2025 Dialogues
27/01/2026
Throughout 2025, CEP and its representatives actively participated in the online Technical meetings ahead of the HLF as well as the High Level Forum on Future of Criminal Justice taking place on 4-5 March 2025, 20-21 May 2025 and 1-2 October 2025 in Brussels, Belgium.
Recap
Alternatives to pre-trial detention
Recap: Webinar on Alternatives to Detention 2026
26/01/2026
On Thursday 22 January, CEP hosted the first webinar of 2025 on the topic of Alternatives to Detention. The session led by Ms. Marina Pajoni from the French Prison and Probation Service titled „Problem Solving Justice in Pracitce: The Meuse Probation Service´s Approach to Drug Addiction“ introduced an innovative programme developed by the Meuse Probation Service in close cooperation with the French Ministry of Justice.
New
Education and Training
CEP launches an interactive European map of probation education and training institution contacts
22/01/2026
The CEP is pleased to inform its members that a new dedicated section has been developed on the CEP website featuring an interactive map of Europe.
New
CEP Events
CEP activity calendar 2026
20/01/2026
As we begin the new year, we would like to thank all CEP members, partners, and participants for your continued engagement and valuable contributions. Your involvement plays an essential role in shaping CEP’s work and activities.
We are pleased to share the CEP calendar for 2026, which provides an overview of the events planned for the year ahead. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and welcoming you to upcoming CEP activities throughout the year.
Thank you for being part of the CEP community.
New
CEP members, Gender-based violence
Interventions Alliance’s Eden House Recognized as Outstanding
15/01/2026
CEP is delighted to share that Eden House, an Interventions Alliance residential service for women with high-risk or complex needs on probation, has been rated “Outstanding” overall by HM Inspectorate of Probation. In 2022, Eden House was honored with the CEP Public Protection Award. Our sincere congratulations to the team for this remarkable achievement.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.