Previous Article
News
Research note
By Ioan Durnescu
Co-producing Desistance is a research project examining the use of social co-operative structures of employment as a mechanism for supporting the resettlement of prisoners and enabling longer term processes of desistance. This project is run by Beth Weaver at the University of Strathclyde and will run from January 2015-2018. Across the UK, and indeed further afield, increasing political, professional and public concern has been expressed about the economic, social and human costs of the increasing use of imprisonment and of reoffending following release. Consequently, there is now growing interest in developing innovative and sustainable practices that can facilitate the social integration and desistance of former prisoners. Research on why and how people stop offending (desistance) has incrementally refocused attention on the kinds of conditions and supports that variously enable or constrain social integration and desistance. However, despite the identified correlations between participation in employment and desistance, this is an area that has received limited attention in policy, practice and research. Responding to this gap in research, policy and practice, this study will examine the potential of a recent innovation in the use of social cooperatives in the UK. In particular, this research uses case studies of more established through-the-prison-gate social cooperatives in Italy to inform emerging cooperative structures of employment in the criminal justice system in the UK in order to consider what social cooperatives might contribute to the integration and desistance of former prisoners; to consider how this learning can translate into improvements for policy design and service delivery in a criminal justice context; and crucially, to inform new ways of working to support social integration and desistance.
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
Prison
CEP at the 2026 European Symposium on Detention Houses
28/04/2026
On 21–22 April 2026, CEP participated in the 2026 European Symposium on Detention Houses organised by RESCALED in Tirana, Albania.
Held under the theme “Sustainability and Justice”, the Symposium focused on promoting detention houses as a sustainable and humane alternative to large-scale prison institutions, bringing together justice practitioners from across Europe to discuss innovative approaches to detention and reintegration.
Recap
Education and Training
Recap: Expert Network on Education and Training in Probation Launches New Term and Sets Priorities for 2026–2028
24/04/2026
On 21 April 2026, the Education and Training Expert Network in Probation held its second online meeting, bringing together representatives from CEP member organisations and experts involved in the training of probation professionals across Europe. The meeting marked the beginning of a new working cycle for the network, under the leadership of its Chair, Cédric Le Bossé, and provided an important opportunity to collectively reflect on its future direction.
New
CEP Board
Interview with new CEP board member Eva Fernandes
23/04/2026
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
CEP members, Probation in Europe
CEP Member visit to the Probation Service in Albania
22/04/2026
On 22 April 2026, the Confederation of European Probation carried out a member visit to the Probation Service in Albania, where the delegation was warmly welcomed by Ms Irma Bime, newly appointed Director General for Probation, Mr Eris Sheshi, Director of Electronic Monitoring and Ms Drisilda Memollari, Head of the Probation Office in Tirana.
CEP was represented by Ms Jana Spero Kamenjarin, Secretary General, and Mr Daniel Danglades, Vice President.
Recap
Probation outside Europe
Recap: 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole, day 3 and 4
20/04/2026
Daniel, CEP Vice-President, and Nasir, head of an Indonesian probation and parole office and one of the organisers of the World Congress, reflect on days 3 and 4 of the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, Indonesia.
Recap
Probation in Europe
CEP at PC-CP 41st Working Group Meeting
20/04/2026
On 14–16 April 2026, CEP Secretary General Jana Špero Kamenjarin represented CEP at the 41st meeting of the Working Group of the Council for Penological Co-operation (PC-CP) in Strasbourg, France.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.