Projects
WayOut
The WayOut project – Integrated Exit Programme for Prisons and Probation – is fundamentally aimed at building a common framework to evaluate exit programmes along with the development of an innovative and integrated programme based on proven effectiveness approaches. Ultimately the project will improve and facilitate the implementation of exit programmes across the criminal justice system, namely in prison and probation settings. Hence, this project responds to one of the European Union’s security concerns: the problem of radicalisation leading to violent extremism. The official project website can be opened via this link.
Objectives
- To provide a detailed account of the current state of the art in deradicalisation research and other relevant disciplines related to desistance and rehabilitation;
- To develop a common framework to systematically evaluate exit programmes;
- To create an integrated programme based on approaches with proven effectiveness;
- To develop a training course on exit strategies to practitioners;
- To raise awareness among law enforcement officials about the benefits of implementing such programmes.
Expected outcomes
- An improved and facilitated implementation of exit programmes that are based on approaches with proven effectiveness;
- An increased awareness and understanding by the criminal justice professionals (judiciary, prisons, probation, and community organisations) about exit programmes;
- An improved knowledge about the efficacy of exit programmes and of what works’;
- A more capable prison staff to deal with inmates at risk of radicalisation or who are already radicalised;
- Prisons and probation systems will implement the necessary and appropriate tools to analyse existing networks, collect information and develop communication processes between different organisations: community-prison-probation-police-intelligence services;
- A better understanding of what works in the field of exit strategies at an European level;
- The lessons learned from the project will feed into the European debate and inform policymakers, obtaining the confidence of judges, prosecutors and all those responsible for adopting these strategies, as well as the community at large.
Promoter
Partners
Associated partners
Funding
Timeframe
Partner organisations
Our knowledge of Violent Extremism
Related News
Check out the latest news and updates on this project’s focus area.
CEP
Newsletter August 2026 out now
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CEP’s latest newsletter is out now! It includes:
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24/08/2026
As part of its long-standing cooperation with research, CEP invites its members to contribute to a special edition of the European Probation Journal on the topic of Workload in Probation.
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SPACE II report is now available
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Victims rights
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This directive updates the 2012 EU Victims’ Rights Directive and aims to ensure that victims receive more consistent and effective support across all Member States. Following its publication in the Official Journal, Member States will have 24 months to transpose the new rules into national law. For more information, see the Council of the European Union’s press release: Council greenlights law reinforcing protection of victims’ rights and check out the revised Victims’ Rights.
juvenile offenders, Probation in Europe
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Community Sanctions and Measures
Nelson Mandela day
18/07/2026
Nelson Mandela Day reminds us that justice is not only about accountability – it is also about hope. Mandela believed in the dignity of every person and in the possibility of change. These principles are at the heart of probation.
Across Europe, probation professionals work every day to support people in taking responsibility for their actions, rebuilding their lives and successfully reintegrating into their communities. By promoting rehabilitation, social inclusion and human dignity, probation helps reduce reoffending and contributes to safer, more resilient societies.
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