CEP SG Jana Spero Kamenjarin attended the 27th International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) Conference, held in Istanbul, Türkiye. The conference brought together professionals, researchers, and policy experts from around the world to share insights and best practices. There were approximately 700 participants and the conference program consisted of 151 presentations.
One of the most powerful moments of the event was the presentation from Türkiye titled Strengthening Staff Wellbeing in Prisons and Operational Processes in Crisis Situations, delivered by Director General Mr Enis Yavuz Yildirim. In the presentation, Director General Yildirim highlighted exceptional efforts and coordination of the staff of the  Directorate for Prison and Detention Houses during the earthquake response and recovery in 2023. Their dedication, resilience, and community engagement were truly inspiring and a testament to the strength of cooperation in times of crisis.
CEP Secretary General Jana Spero Kamenjarin delivered a presentation during the Host Day on how CEP contributes to Staff Wellbeing and Professional Development.
One of the Plenary Speakers was Professor Ioan Durnescu, CEP honorary member, with his presentation on Preventing Burnout in Probation: Towards a Resilient Workforce Through Organisational Strategies – Findings From a European Survey. This survey was conducted in cooperation with the CEP, and more information about the survey will soon be available on the CEP website.
This conference was an invaluable opportunity to engage with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, learn from their perspectives, and explore new approaches to common challenges. The ICPA Correctional Excellence Awards Ceremony was also held during the Conference.
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.
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 updates from the European Commission highlight key priorities for judicial training in Europe, alongside new tools supporting transparency and access to data.
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.
From 18-20 November 2025, 15th Plenary Meeting of the Council for Penological Co-operation took part in Council of Europe, Strasbourg. CEP was represented by President Annie Devos, Vice-Presidents Danijela Mrhar Prelic (PC-CP member) and Daniel Danglades and Secretary General Jana Spero Kamenjarin.
The CEP Expert Group on Mental Health met on 19 November 2025 to continue its work on developing a European mental health training curriculum for probation officers. Since last year, the group has been working intensively and meticulously to produce a solid first version of the curriculum.
CEP has released the first cross-European study examining stress, burnout, and morale among probation staff. The report was produced by Professor Charlie Brooker, Professor Karen Tocque, Professor Ioan Durnescu and Liliana Lupsica, whose combined expertise in public health, criminology, and organisational analysis provides an important contribution to our understanding of well-being in probation work.
