Confederation of European Probation (CEP) and American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) are pleased to invite you to the third joint webinar on “Quality vs. the Illusion of Quality”, taking place on Tuesday 22 September, starting at 3pm Central European Time (CET) / 9 am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Welcome to the International Training School on Core Correctional Skills 2026, where continuous learning is an essential part of professional practice. This one-week programme is aimed at experienced correctional and probation staff seeking to refresh their skills, as well as professionals new to the field who want a strong, practice-focused introduction. Based on Prof. Dr. Ioan Durnescu’s Core Correctional Skills, the training strengthens key competencies for effective probation work, including relationship skills, pro-social modelling, problem-solving, motivational interviewing, and cognitive restructuring. In 2026, these core skills are explored specifically within the context of digital probation.

This year's conference is held under the theme "Electronic Monitoring in a Changing World – Perception versus Reality". It invites participants to examine how electronic monitoring (EM) is understood by policymakers, practitioners, victims, communities, and the wider public and how those perceptions measure up against evidence, operational realities, and lived experience.

The training is in line with the outcome of CEP DG conference taking place in Kiel, Germany in 2023. It will include practical group work on leadership, communication and awareness-raising, new technologies, and staff management, and provide an opportunity for learning, exchange of experience, and knowledge sharing on the daily work of probation practitioners in different EU Member States, as well as support cooperation.  As places are limited, participants will be selected through an application process based on motivation, having in mind regional and gender representation.