News
Recap: ERA seminar “Framework Decisions 2008/947/JHA and 2009/829/JHA and their Impact on Alternatives in the EU”
On 4–5 December 2025, CEP representatives Gerry McNally, Danijela Mrhar Prelić and Pia Andersson attended the ERA seminar “Framework Decisions 2008/947/JHA and 2009/829/JHA and their Impact on Alternatives in the EU” in Vilnius.
The seminar was part of a series of five events co-funded by the European Union on enhancing cross-border mutual legal assistance and the recognition of decisions in the context of detention. It focused on alternatives to detention, including in the context of the European Arrest Warrant, and on the use of Framework Decision 2008/947/JHA on probation and alternative sanctions and Framework Decision 2009/829/JHA on supervision measures as an alternative to provisional detention.
The seminar was organised by ERA in cooperation with the National Courts Administration of the Republic of Lithuania, the Council of Europe, the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) and the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ). Participants included judges, prosecutors, lawyers and probation officers.
Gerry McNally presented on revisiting the key findings of the 9th round of mutual recognition instruments. Danijela Mrhar Prelić presented on the role of probation services and officers in preventing (re)incarceration, including help on release, conflict resolution and cooperation with authorities. Pia Andersson presented on technology as part of alternatives to detention, focusing on electronic monitoring and other technologies.
Danijela Mrhar Prelić also led the workshop “Probation services and their work with judicial and other authorities: effective means and methods”. During the workshop, she presented the Guidelines to Framework Decision 2008/947/JHA – A guide for probation staff. One conclusion of the workshop was that it would be useful for each stakeholder to have guidelines on the Framework Decisions, similar to those developed by CEP for probation staff.
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
Electronic monitoring
Electronic Monitoring in Europe: Insights from the 13th Electronic Monitoring conference Questionnaire
30/03/2026
The 13th Electronic Monitoring (EM) conference Questionnaire has now been released, offering a comprehensive overview of how EM is applied across Europe today.ion.
New
CEP members
New CEP member: Guernsey Probation Service
25/03/2026
In recent weeks, CEP has interviewed individual members and representatives of the new member organisations that joined CEP at the beginning of 2026. In these interviews, the new member organisations or individual members will share information on why they decided to become members, how they would like to contribute to the development of CEP and many more.
Enjoy reading!
Recap
Probation outside Europe
Recap: CEP and APPA webinar
25/03/2026
Confederation of European Probation (CEP) and American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) hosted the second joint webinar on 24 March 2026, this time on “Integrity of Performance: Ensuring Meaningful and Ethical Outcomes”.
The overarching theme of integrity of performance was explored through two distinct perspectives on this fundamental concept.
Recap
Communication and Awareness-Raising
Recap: Opening Doors to Second Chances: The Mission and Impact of Yellow Ribbon Run
25/03/2026
On Thursday 19 March, CEP hosted the second webinar of 2026 on the topic of Alternatives to Detention. The session led by Dr. Gabriela Slovakova from the Czech Probation and Mediation Service titled „Opening Doors to Second Chances: The Mission and Impact of Yellow Ribbon Run“ introduced the Yellow Ribbon project with a powerful message of second chances and fair opportunities.
New
CEP Board
Interview with new CEP board member Žilvinas Miliauskas
17/03/2026
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!
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.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.