Previous Article
News
Day in a life of probation officer – Katharina Heitz
Is the day of a probation officer in Germany similar to the one of someone working in Romania? In the series ‘A day in the life of a probation officer’, we publish articles written by probation officers from different countries in Europe to see if their days look alike or are very different from each other. This article is written by Katharina Heitz, a probation officer from Germany.
After a few hearings in court, I take the train to the office. Unsuspecting, I walk along the castle park. My office is located in the most beautiful part of the city: the baroque castle. Halfway there, a client sits on a bench. He looks ostentatiously at the ground. When he sees me, he runs toward me and greets me with the words: “I want to go back to prison! Do something!” I invite him to follow me to the office.
Mr. XY served 5 years in prison for a botched robbery. Now another 5-year probation period followed. While in prison, he completed an apprenticeship. The debts, because of which he committed the robbery, have now been rehabilitated with the help of a fund for delinquent people.
He has found a good job and spent his free time with changing girlfriends. Life has been good! But now this: The bank informed him that they wanted to change the terms of termination. Mr. XY understood, often expecting negative things in life: His account has been cancelled. So he went and withdrew the entire sum of €2,000. He put the money in his fanny pack. On the way home, he lost the money…
The job of a German probation officer is to prevent their clients from committing further crimes. How that can be accomplished can only be determined on a case-by-case basis. In particular, the history of criminal behavior, a criminogenic environment as well as criminogenic attitudes play a central role there.
In Mr. XY’s case, however, it was predominantly a matter of coping with frustration and thus negative feelings and solving problems in a socially adequate way. So I offered him to bring letters to me that he did not understand so that we could read and understand them together. He gratefully accepted the offer and did not want to go back to prison after all.
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.
Recap
ITSCCS
Core Correctional Skills in Digital Probation: highlights from the 6th ITSCCS in Barcelona
05/10/2026
The sixth International Training School on Core Correctional Skills (ITSCCS) took place in Barcelona from 28 September to 2 October 2026, bringing together 26 participants for a week of learning, practical training and international exchange. Organised by the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) and the Centre for Legal Studies and Specialised Training (CEJFE), the programme focused on “Clicks and Empathy: Core Correctional Skills in Digital Probation.”
Recap
Framework Decisions
Recap: ERA workshop on Framework Decisions 829 and 947 in Bucharest
02/10/2026
CEP Vice-President Daniel Danglades, Ambassador Gerry McNally and Policy Officer Mirka Jakesova participated in the Seminar on Framework Decisions 829 and 947 and their Impact on Alternatives in the EU organized under the EU project run by the Academy of European Law on 28-29 September in Bucharest, Romania. The seminar brought together judges, prosecutors, probation practitioners, academics, and policy experts to discuss the growing role of alternatives to detention within European criminal justice systems.
New
CEP
CEP and Catalan justice leaders reaffirm longstanding cooperation
29/09/2026
Representatives of the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) met with senior officials from the Catalan Department of Justice and Democratic Quality in Barcelona on 28 September 2026, alongside the opening of the sixth International Training School on Core Correctional Skills. The meeting offered an opportunity to recognise a longstanding partnership and discuss its continued development.
Updated
Mental Health
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Call for Pilot Implementation of the European Mental Health Training Curriculum
29/09/2026
Good news for CEP members! Following requests from our members, CEP has extended the deadline to apply for the pilot implementation of the European Mental Health Training Curriculum for Probation Officers.
Recap
ITSCCS, Technology
6th International Training School opens in Barcelona with a focus on digital probation
28/09/2026
How can probation professionals use new technologies in their interactions while building trust, showing empathy and supporting change? This question is at the heart of the sixth International Training School on Core Correctional Skills, which opened in Barcelona on 28 September 2026.
Recap
Probation in Europe
CEP at 42nd PC-CP Working Group Meeting
23/09/2026
The Council for Penological Co-operation (PC-CP) Working Group held its 42nd meeting from 15–17 September 2026 in Strasbourg. CEP was represented by Secretary General Jana Špero Kamenjarin.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.