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.
New
CEP Board
Interview with new CEP board member Line Elisabeth Wilberg
11/02/2026
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
Probation in Europe
CEP at 40th PC-CP Working Group Meeting
09/02/2026
CEP actively participated in the meeting of the Council of Penological Co-operation (PC-CP) of the Council of Europe. Through its involvement, the organisation contributes meaningfully to the work of the PC-CP by representing the voices and professional experience of probation practitioners across member countries and jurisdictions. CEP Vice-President Ms Danijela Mrhar Prelić is a member of the PC-CP Working Group and actively participates in all meetings.
New
Probation in Europe
CEP at the EMPRO Symposium hosted by ERA
04/02/2026
CEP actively contributed to the EMPRO Knowledge Exchange Symposium hosted by the Academy of European Law (ERA) in Trier on 28–29 January, bringing together practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to reflect on the implementation of EU Framework Decisions in probation and supervision.
New
Alternatives to pre-trial detention, Community Sanctions and Measures, Framework Decisions, Technology
Future of Criminal Justice: CEP’s Contribution to Key 2025 Dialogues
27/01/2026
Throughout 2025, CEP and its representatives actively participated in the online Technical meetings ahead of the HLF as well as the High Level Forum on Future of Criminal Justice taking place on 4-5 March 2025, 20-21 May 2025 and 1-2 October 2025 in Brussels, Belgium.
Recap
Alternatives to pre-trial detention
Recap: Webinar on Alternatives to Detention 2026
26/01/2026
On Thursday 22 January, CEP hosted the first webinar of 2026 on the topic of Alternatives to Detention. The session led by Ms. Marina Pajoni from the French Prison and Probation Service titled „Problem Solving Justice in Pracitce: The Meuse Probation Service´s Approach to Drug Addiction“ introduced an innovative programme developed by the Meuse Probation Service in close cooperation with the French Ministry of Justice.
New
Education and Training
CEP launches an interactive European map of probation education and training institution contacts
22/01/2026
The CEP is pleased to inform its members that a new dedicated section has been developed on the CEP website featuring an interactive map of Europe.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.