Previous Article
News
CEP-EuroPris workshop on the training of Prison and Probation staff
On Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December 2013 thirty specialists out of 14 European countries, who represented very different experiences, stages of development and knowledge , came together in Amersfoort (the Netherlands) for a workshop on the Training of Prison and Probation staff. This workshop, with the title “Education and training for Values driven work – future concepts” was organized by CEP and EuroPris in cooperation with Avans University of Applied Sciences and Hogeschool Utrecht (both located in the Netherlands), with the aim of having experts share their ideas and best practices.
Five themes
In a preparatory meeting for the workshop five main themes had been selected: Burnout prevention/ Resilience, Selection & training, E-learning/IT, Quality assurance/measuring and Motivation. Each topic was introduced by one or two short plenary presentations, after which the delegates divided into three small groups to work on the specific topic. Kirsten Hawlitschek, Executive Director of EuroPris who chaired the first day of the event, told the participants that “this is really a workshop – not a sit back and relax conference.”
And working is really what the delegates did: at the end of the second day an impressive list of in total 82 recommendations was presented, meant for the participants to take home and to use in their own organizations for improvement or possible future changes.
Feedback
The participants of the workshop indicated to be very satisfied with the workshop and its results. “It is rewarding for the organizers to see how grateful participants are”, said Kirsten Hawlitschek. “They have a chance to talk about their work with colleagues from other countries, and it is stimulating to continue with the organization of this kind of activities for our members”. Séverine Dubaissi from the French ENAP (École Nationale d’Administration Pénitentiaire), who was one of the speakers during the workshop, indicated that the event was “a rich human experience” during which she had “discovered much new evidence-based practices”.
Danijela Mrhar Prelic, Prison director in Slovenia, said that “the best value of the 2 day meeting for me was that each participant of the workshop had to put in his or her own knowledge and experience from the field of education and staff training. The working groups were, because of this principle, active, productive, innovative and knowledge exchanging. Each participant was actively involved and had the opportunity to get the knowledge and experience from the practice abroad. It was thus a workshop of give and gain. It was excellent!”
Continuation
CEP and EuroPris certainly wish to organize a continuation of the event, either in using the same themes or by going into depth of one or two of the themes. The subject which was the most unknown among the participants and therefore the most interesting to continue with was the one on E-learning/IT.
All together it was a very successful event during which in many ways “relationships were established across the borders”.
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
Probation outside Europe
Honouring Community Volunteers: CEP and Japan Hogoshi Federation sign new Affiliation Agreement
17/04/2026
On the occasion of the International Day for Community Volunteers (17 April), the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) highlights the significance of community engagement in supporting rehabilitation and social reintegration across the world.
New
Communication and Awareness-Raising
Call to take part in the Yellow Ribbon Run in Prague
16/04/2026
As part of its ongoing cooperation and support for the Yellow Ribbon project, CEP is pleased to invite nominations to support two participants wishing to join the Yellow Ribbon Run, taking place on Thursday, 11 June 2026, in Prague, Czech Republic.
Recap
Probation outside Europe
Day 2 of the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, Indonesia.
16/04/2026
brought further reflection and exchange on the role of probation and community-based approaches in supporting rehabilitation and social inclusion.
CEP President Annie Devos and Vice-President Daniel Danglades continued their daily coverage on Division_Y, sharing key insights from discussions at the Congress.
A central theme highlighted during Day 2 was the importance of focusing on what works in practice, and how effective integration requires active participation in society. As discussed, professional probation practice is not only about systems and structures, but about placing the person at the centre, responding to individual needs, and recognising rehabilitation as a journey within the community.
CEP Vice-President Daniel Danglades also reflected on the role of community-based approaches such as the Japanese Hogoshi system, underlining the value of strong volunteer engagement in supporting reintegration.
The World Congress on Community Volunteers, held as part of the World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, was also highlighted during the day, with the session moderated by CEP Vice-President Daniel Danglades. This further underlines CEP’s commitment to strengthening the role of community volunteers at an international level.
CEP continues to follow the Congress closely and will provide daily updates throughout the week until 17 April.
👉 Watch the English-language video here: https://youtu.be/VqfSwnvJQuw
👉 A German-language reflection from Day 2 by Laura Schneider (Bewährungs- und Gerichtshilfe Baden-Württemberg) is also available on the Referat_Y YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/GOSOogfHleo
More information about the Congress: https://www.wcpp2026.id/
Recap
Probation outside Europe
Day 1 of the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole is underway in Bali, Indonesia
14/04/2026
Representing the Confederation of European Probation CEP, former board member Jo Tein, CEP President Annie Devos and Vice-President Daniel Danglades are on site, sharing insights and reflections from this global gathering of probation and parole professionals.
Recap
Mental Health
Recap: CEP Expert Group on Mental Health in Probation Meets
14/04/2026
On 8–9 April 2026, the Expert Group on Mental Health in Probation convened in Dublin, Ireland, hosted by the Irish Probation Service. The meeting brought together 7 expert members from 7 European jurisdictions, Portugal, Ireland, Türkiye, Germany, Poland, Northern Ireland, England and Spain (Catalonia), alongside distinguished external speakers from international and academic institutions.
Chaired by Ana Cristina Neves, Head of Service at the Directorate-General of Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP), Portugal, the meeting provided a focused and collaborative space to reflect on the group’s progress, consolidate key outputs, and define strategic priorities for the upcoming 2026–2028 mandate.
New
Mental Health
Webinar Announcement: Mental Health in Probation
13/04/2026
We are pleased to invite you to an upcoming CEP webinar on 21st of May titled: “The European Mental Health Curriculum for Probation Officers”
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.