Skip to content

News

The impact of Covid-19 on Circles of Support and Accountability, Circles Europe, Research Commitee

Circles of Support and Accountability [CoSA] are groups of trained community volunteers who support people convicted of a sexual offence susually contact offences against children) to integrate back into the community post-release. CoSA programs operate on thesss premise that by providing recently-released Core Members (people convicted of a sexual offence, CM) with a Circle of 4 -5 community volunteers who provide both practical support and accountability, they will be better equipped to lead law-abiding lives in the community. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the usual face-to-face sessions were not possible.

AIMS OF THE RESEARCH

This research looks to investigate the impact that COVID-19, mainly social distancing and remote working, has had on CoSA provision and providers in Europe, the USA, and Canada and the potential impact of the pandemic on Circle processes moving forward.

Read more here

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!