Skip to content

News

CEP signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations

CEP signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with the United Nations – UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime). The purpose of the MoU is to provide a framework for cooperation regarding the shared goals aimed at introducing or strengthening probation services and enhancing the offender’s social inclusion through community-based measures.

Jana Spero, CEP SG, Philipp Meissner from UNODC and Annie Devos, CEP President at Meeting of the Group of Friends of the Nelson Mandela Rules

 

The MoU was signed at the United Nations in Vienna by Ms. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC and Ms. Annie Devos, President of CEP.

Annie Devos and Ms Ghada Waly , Executive Director, UNODC

Following the signing ceremony, representatives of CEP President Annie Devos and Secretary General Jana Spero attended the Meeting of the Group of Friends of the Nelson Mandela Rules.

Meeting of the Group of Friends of the Nelson Mandela Rules

On July 18th, 2023, at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the UNODC Executive Director, Ms. Ghada Waly, highlighted the significance of respecting the rights and needs of the 11.2 million prisoners worldwide on Nelson Mandela Day. The discussions centred on promoting humane treatment, dignity in incarceration, and advocating for a fair and just criminal justice system. CEP president, Annie Devos, was one of the panellists during this meeting.

Read more about the meeting here.

 

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

Violent Extremism

Recap: Expert Group meeting on Violent Extremism

16/03/2026

On 12–13 March 2026, the Expert Group on Violent Extremism convened for an in‑person meeting in Bucharest, Romania. Hosted at the University of Bucharest, the meeting brought together practitioners and representatives from across Europe to finalise the overview of best practices for preventive interventions targeting juveniles and young adults up to the age of 26 under probation. Building on the extensive discussions and progress made in 2025, the group worked collaboratively to bring the document to completion.

Recap

Electronic monitoring

Recap: CEP Expert Group meeting at ATGV Antalya

12/03/2026

The CEP Expert Group on Electronic Monitoring, along with representatives of the CEP Office led by Mr. Daniel Danglades, CEP Vice-President, visited the Education and Social Facility of the Ministry of Justice in Türkiye – ATGV Antalya. The host country was represented by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Director General Mr. Fatih Güngör, Head of the Turkish Probation Department Dr. Hüseyin Şık, Member of the CEP EM Expert Group Ms. Elçin Kilecioğlu, as well as the Director and representatives of the ATGV facility, and officials from the courts, prosecution, and probation services in Antalya.

Recap

Education and Training

Recap: CEP Expert Network on Education and Training in Probation meets with the European Commission to discuss the EU Judicial Training Strategy

11/03/2026

On 11 March 2026, the CEP Expert Network on Education and Training in Probation met online with more than 20 participants from Belgium, Denmark, Sweeden, France, Romania, Croatia, Catalonia, Poland, United Kingdom and Türkiye to exchange views with the European Commission on the newly adopted EU Judicial Training Strategy 2025–2030.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for representatives of probation training institutions across Europe to engage directly with European Commission officials and discuss how the strategy may impact the training of probation and prison staff in the coming years.

Probation Journal

Women, youth

Understanding the needs of girls and young women in youth justice

10/03/2026

New research highlights the underlying needs that influence girls’ and young women’s contact with youth justice systems and calls for more gender responsive approaches in policy and practice. Drawing on a review of recent studies, the authors identify several factors shaping girls’ pathways into the justice system, including persistent abuse, trauma, gendered expectations, and systemic failures. Girls involved in youth justice are often affected by multiple forms of victimisation, such as sexual abuse, neglect, and domestic violence, with experiences frequently beginning in early childhood.

New

CEP Board

Interview with new CEP board member Ian Barrow

09/03/2026

During the General Assembly in Austria, a new CEP Board got elected for the upcoming three years. In the coming weeks we will publish interviews with all newly-elected board members where they will share information on their professional background, how they would like to contribute, what challenges lie ahead and many more.

Enjoy reading!

New

Gender Equality, Gender-based violence

Women’s Day

09/03/2026

Yesterday was International Women’s Day.

At CEP, this day closely reflects our core values and ongoing commitment to promoting gender equality and addressing gender-based violence within the context of probation and community justice.

Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!