Previous Article
News
Promoting non-discriminatory alternatives to imprisonment across Europe: A manual for criminal justice practitioners
The project is implemented by Penal Reform International (PRI) in partnership with the University of Coimbra, Portugal and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee. The manual draws in particular on research conducted as part of the project in Hungary and Portugal, as well as training conferences and workshops held at the University of Coimbra in May 2022 and in Budapest in November 2022.
This manual was developed by Penal Reform International (PRI) together with the Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) and the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (UC) as part of project PRI Alt Eur: Promoting non-discriminatory alternatives to imprisonment across Europe, funded through the European Union’s Justice Programme. We would like to thank Rob Allen for his contribution to the project and the development of this manual.
This manual has been written to assist criminal justice practitioners involved in the delivery of non-custodial sanctions to find ways of ensuring that any community-based measures are used effectively and do not discriminate against minority or marginalised groups or those left uniquely vulnerable in the criminal justice system due to specific personal or background characteristics or circumstances. The manual draws on work undertaken in the context of the project PRI Alt Eur: Promoting non-discriminatory alternatives to imprisonment across Europe. The project (PRI Alt Eur, 101007466) is supported by the European Union’s Justice programme. Running from January 2021 to March 2023, it includes national and cross-European research and varied capacity-building activities aiming toward more pronounced, non-discriminatory use of non-custodial sanctions in the two focus countries – Hungary and Portugal – and across Europe. For more, visit the project website.
The manual should be read in conjunction with the presentations and resources produced and referenced at the training events. (All resources from the training are available online here.)
More on Diversity
More on Mental Health
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.
Recap
Communication and Awareness-Raising
Expert Group on Communication and Awareness-Raising
18/06/2026
On 16–17 June 2026, the CEP Expert Group on Communication and Awareness Raising met in Bristol, United Kingdom, for a face-to-face meeting. The meeting was hosted by Interventions Alliance and chaired by Michael Baker, Deputy Chief Executive and Lead for Research and Communications, who also leads the Expert Group. Suki Binning, Chief Executive Officer of Interventions Alliance, also joined parts of the programme and welcomed the group during the visit.
Recap
CEP members
CEP visits member Interventions Alliance
18/06/2026
On 16 June 2026, CEP Secretary General Jana Spero Kamenjarin and Communications Officer Hannan Amnad visited Interventions Alliance in the United Kingdom. During the visit, they met with Suki Binning, Chief Executive Officer, Ellie MacCarter, Chief Officer for Operations, Graham Wines, Chief Officer – People and Professional Standards, and Michael Baker, Deputy Chief Executive and Lead for Research and Communications, who also serves as Chair of CEP’s Expert Group on Communication and Awareness-Raising.
New
Reading corner
Technology
Beyond the Headset: What the VR-TooL Pilot Tells Us About the Future of Probation Training
18/06/2026
This initiative is funded through the Erasmus+ project “Virtual Reality: A Tool in the Treatment of Offenders and Education of Probation Officers,” implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation of Croatia, ESC from Romania, and BeCure from Germany. It focuses on two main components: the development of VR content for offender rehabilitation programmes and VR-based training for probation officers.
The VR content is grounded in Core Correctional Skills and is designed to support both practical skill development and a rehabilitative approach. Virtual reality is introduced as an innovative complement to existing practice, enhancing offender treatment and professional training while supporting, rather than replacing, personal interaction.
Recap
Communication and Awareness-Raising
CEP signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Yellow Ribbon Czechia
15/06/2026
On Thursday, 11 Jun 2026, CEP Secretary General Jana Špero Kamenjarin and Director of Yellow Ribbon Czechia Veronika Friebova confirmed its long-standing partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding which outlines their shared goals and areas of collaboration.
Recap
Gender-based violence
Strengthening European Cooperation on Gender-Based Violence in Probation: CEP Meetings Held in Lisbon
10/06/2026
On 8 and 9 June 2026, CEP brought together practitioners, policymakers, researchers and partner organisations in Lisbon for two important meetings focused on strengthening the probation response to gender-based violence across Europe.
New
Overcrowding and Netwidening
Call for nominations Joint Expert Group on Prison Overcrowding and Probation Netwidening (EuroPris & CEP)
09/06/2026
For a new expert group starting in 2026 we are looking for 8 experts (4 from CEP, 4 from EuroPris) interested to join the Joint Expert Group on Prison Overcrowding and Probation Netwidening run in cooperation between CEP and EuroPris.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.