News
CEP at High-Level Forum on Future of EU Criminal Justice
CEP President Annie Devos and CEP Secretary General Jana Spero Kamenjarin are attending the High-Level Forum on the Future of EU Criminal Justice. This event is organised by the European Commission and the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 4-5 March 2025 in Brussels. The aim of The Forum is to develop a common vision for actions of legislative and non-legislative character for the next five years.
The Forum was opened by Mr. Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection and Mr. Adam Bodnar, Minister of Justice of Poland. Introductory remarks were delivered by Mr. Javier Zarzalejos, Chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.
Before the discussion among the participants, the topic of challenges for the future of EU Criminal Justice was set by presentation of Professor Katalin Ligeti from University of Luxembourg who highlighted key challenges, such as serious cross-border crime, digitalization of criminal justice, penal populism and prison overpopulation.
Ms Laura Codruța Kövesi, European Chief Prosecutor, stressed that talking about the future of EU Criminal Justice “is not business as usual” and that it is time to act – states must be more efficient, and we need more harmonisation.
The practical point of view was also presented by Mr. Michael Schmid, President of Eurojust; Mr. Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, Deputy Executive Director of Europol and Ms Sue Preenen, Prosecutor General from The Netherlands.
During The Forum, the discussion among participants is divided into
- (1)The Future of EU Substantive Criminal Law on day one,
- (2) The Future of Judicial Cooperation and Mutual Recognition and
- (3) The Future of Procedural Safeguards on day two.
At The Forum, CEP is a voice of practitioners regarding the Framework Decisions 947 and 829 (Framework Decisions on Probation and Alternative Sanctions and on the European Supervision Order), stressing the need for improvement of the operation of the Framework Decisions. Good practices and differences among the states are visible from the regular meetings of practitioners that are organised by CEP on this topic. The need for additional improvement is reinforced by the fact that new EU Projects are developed as a result of CEP meetings- for example, Empowerment of the Framework Decisions 947 and 829 through EU Probation Services (EMPRO), a two-year EU-funded Project that started in February 2025.
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.
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!
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.
Electronic monitoring
Recap: CEP Expert Group meeting at ATGV Antalya
12/03/2026
The CEP Expert Group on Electronic Monitoring, along with representatives of the CEP Office led by Mr. Daniel Danglades, CEP Vice-President, visited the Education and Social Facility of the Ministry of Justice in Türkiye – ATGV Antalya. The host country was represented by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Director General Mr. Fatih Güngör, Head of the Turkish Probation Department Dr. Hüseyin Şık, Member of the CEP EM Expert Group Ms. Elçin Kilecioğlu, as well as the Director and representatives of the ATGV facility, and officials from the courts, prosecution, and probation services in Antalya.
Education and Training
Recap: CEP Expert Network on Education and Training in Probation meets with the European Commission to discuss the EU Judicial Training Strategy
11/03/2026
On 11 March 2026, the CEP Expert Network on Education and Training in Probation met online with more than 20 participants from Belgium, Denmark, Sweeden, France, Romania, Croatia, Catalonia, Poland, United Kingdom and Türkiye to exchange views with the European Commission on the newly adopted EU Judicial Training Strategy 2025–2030.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for representatives of probation training institutions across Europe to engage directly with European Commission officials and discuss how the strategy may impact the training of probation and prison staff in the coming years.
Women, youth
Understanding the needs of girls and young women in youth justice
10/03/2026
New research highlights the underlying needs that influence girls’ and young women’s contact with youth justice systems and calls for more gender responsive approaches in policy and practice. Drawing on a review of recent studies, the authors identify several factors shaping girls’ pathways into the justice system, including persistent abuse, trauma, gendered expectations, and systemic failures. Girls involved in youth justice are often affected by multiple forms of victimisation, such as sexual abuse, neglect, and domestic violence, with experiences frequently beginning in early childhood.
CEP Board
Interview with new CEP board member Ian Barrow
09/03/2026
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!
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
"*" indicates required fields
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.


