The final project results of the DERAD project are now available. It started three years ago in 2016 and ended last month, in March 2019. DERAD aims to prevent the escalation of radicalisation in the prison environment and help prisoners and probationers who are often exposed to Jihadist recruitment or self-radicalisation to overcome the different problems and push factors usually exploited by recruiters.
Another important objective of the project was the formalisation of an inter-agency group, for cross-sectors specialised in dealing with radicalised detainees. The specific project actions were directed to create original contents for the training of 55 European trainers with e-learning modalities on the phenomenon of radicalisation and to organise cascade training activities in 26 countries.
The project existed of four phases. During the first phase the syllabus and training modules were designed. These were used in later phases of the project. In the second phase expert user groups came together and in the third phase it was time for the recruitment of 55 trainers. They came from all over Europe: Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Malta, Cyprus, Greece, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, the Netherland, Belgium, Ireland, Sweden, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Bulgaria and Romania. These trainers were educated during seven training of the trainers sessions in several European countries. In the final phase of the project 52 national cascade courses were delivered all over Europe.
The main outcome of the DERAD project is HERMES, a unique online training platform intended to provide interactive training courses for all people active in counter-radicalisation activities. Since the launch of the platform, 2.017 users registered for the courses.
One of the other outcomes of the project is the creation of a training video called “Farouk – Disbelievers”, the story of Farouk, a young Tunisian boy detained in various Italian prisons, and of his path towards radicalisation.
For more information about the final project results, please visit the DERAD website.
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.
