Skip to content

News

CEP at the 27th ICPA Conference in Istanbul

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.

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, Directors General Meetings

CEP Call for Applications – Training Opportunity for Directors General 

24/06/2026

CEP is seeking 7 applications for an upcoming training programme, CEP Leadership Excellence Training, designed for a small group of Directors General or Deputy Directors General representing CEP member organisations. This training will take place on 19-21 October 2026, Zagreb, Croatia.

 

Probation Journal

Framework Decisions

Exploratory Study on the possible Lisbonisation of ex‑third pillar acquis in the area of mutual recognition in criminal matters published 

23/06/2026

Commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) and undertaken by ICF SA in December 2023, the study, published in April 2026, assesses the mutual recognition of criminal decisions and cross-border cooperation on criminal matters.  

Recap

Communication and Awareness-Raising

Expert Group on Communication and Awareness-Raising

18/06/2026

On 16–17 June 2026, the CEP Expert Group on Communication and Awareness Raising met in Bristol, United Kingdom, for a face-to-face meeting. The meeting was hosted by Interventions Alliance and chaired by Michael Baker, Deputy Chief Executive and Lead for Research and Communications, who also leads the Expert Group. Suki Binning, Chief Executive Officer of Interventions Alliance, also joined parts of the programme and welcomed the group during the visit.

Recap

CEP members

CEP visits member Interventions Alliance

18/06/2026

On 16 June 2026, CEP Secretary General Jana Spero Kamenjarin and Communications Officer Hannan Amnad visited Interventions Alliance in the United Kingdom. During the visit, they met with Suki Binning, Chief Executive Officer, Ellie MacCarter, Chief Officer for Operations, Graham Wines, Chief Officer – People and Professional Standards, and Michael Baker, Deputy Chief Executive and Lead for Research and Communications, who also serves as Chair of CEP’s Expert Group on Communication and Awareness-Raising.

New
Reading corner

Technology

Beyond the Headset: What the VR-TooL Pilot Tells Us About the Future of Probation Training

18/06/2026

This initiative is funded through the Erasmus+ project “Virtual Reality: A Tool in the Treatment of Offenders and Education of Probation Officers,” implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation of Croatia, ESC from Romania, and BeCure from Germany. It focuses on two main components: the development of VR content for offender rehabilitation programmes and VR-based training for probation officers.

The VR content is grounded in Core Correctional Skills and is designed to support both practical skill development and a rehabilitative approach. Virtual reality is introduced as an innovative complement to existing practice, enhancing offender treatment and professional training while supporting, rather than replacing, personal interaction.

Recap

Communication and Awareness-Raising

CEP signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Yellow Ribbon Czechia

15/06/2026

On Thursday, 11 Jun 2026, CEP Secretary General Jana Špero Kamenjarin and Director of Yellow Ribbon Czechia Veronika Friebova confirmed its long-standing partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding which outlines their shared goals and areas of collaboration.

Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!