Previous Article
News
Research note
The ethnography of the prisoner transitions aims at developing an advanced understanding of the re-entry process from the subjective perspective of prisoners themselves. The processes, interactions, meanings and conflicts involved in re-entry will be examined from Roma and non-Roma prisoner’s point of view. Moreover, in order to assess the impact of the cultural, political and social environment on the reintegration process, the research will be conducted in two countries: Norway and Romania. The research sample will consist of 20 Romanian prisoners with Roma background, 20 Romanian prisoners with non-Roma background, 10 Romanian prisoners held in a Norwegian prison and 5 Romanian prisoners with Roma background held in a Norwegian prison. The data collection and data analysis will follow the same procedure in both countries so that comparative analysis will be possible.
By Ioan Durnescu
The research methodology is based on an ethnographic design where researchers will ‘immerse’ themselves into the subjective realities of the prisoners. The main research methods will be observation, in-depth interview, psychometric tests and photography. During the research, the researchers will spend as much time as possible with the participants prior to and post release. The participants will ‘shadow’ the released prisoners in the first day of freedom. Interviews will be conducted: one before release and four after release (after one week, after one month, after three months, after one year from release). Psychometrics will monitor changes in motivation, agency, hope, problem solving and coping abilities.
Preliminary results will be presented at the Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology, Porto, September, 2015.
The project is co-funded by the EEA Grants / Norway through the Romanian Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation.
For more info:
Ioan Durnescu: idurnescu@gmail.com
Thomas Ugelvik: thomas.ugelvik@jus.uio.no
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
CEP-Europris, Probation in Europe
Recap of CEP and EuroPris Meeting with Catalan Authorities
04/12/2025
On 3 December, on the occasion of the joint CEP and EuroPris Workshop on Transition from Prison to Probation held at the Centre for Legal Studies and Judicial Training (CEJFE) in Barcelona, representatives from both international organisations met with senior officials from the Catalan Ministry of Justice to present their current work, reflect on ongoing cooperation, and explore shared priorities for future collaboration.
Recap
CEP-Europris
Workshop on Transition from Prison to Probation: Continuity of Care and Control
03/12/2025
On 2–3 December 2025, 71 participants from 22 European countries and jurisdictions attended the Workshop on Transition from Prison to Probation: Continuity of Care and Control, jointly organized by CEP and EuroPris. The two-day workshop aimed to explore strategies for ensuring continuity of care and control during the transition from prison to probation.
Recap
Research
Recap: online Expert Group meeting on Research
02/12/2025
On Friday, 28 November 2025, the annual meeting of the Expert Group on Research took place online.
Probation Journal
Domestic violence, Gender-based violence
New evaluation on whole family approach to domestic abuse
26/11/2025
Interventions Alliance has published a new evaluation of a Hub coordinated on behalf of police forces in the south of England, focused on tackling violence against women and children through a whole family approach. The Hub supports victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse and works across policing, health and social services.
New
Probation in Europe
New EU Judicial Training Strategy 2025-2030 adopted
26/11/2025
New updates from the European Commission highlight key priorities for judicial training in Europe, alongside new tools supporting transparency and access to data.
New
Gender-based violence
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls
25/11/2025
Today, 25 November, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. It is a global reminder, recognised by UNESCO and the wider international community, of the urgent need to prevent violence, support those affected by it, and strengthen collective action. The day also opens the 16 Days of Activism, a worldwide campaign that calls for sustained engagement to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.