Previous Article
News
Electronic Monitoring in Europe – the Dutch experience
One of the European projects that CEP is involved in is the “Electronic Monitoring in Europe” project. Besides the Netherlands 4 other countries take part: Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom and Scotland. The aim of this project is to study and evaluate how Electronic Monitoring (EM) is being used in the various phases of the trial process and how effective this method can be(come).
On 11 February 2016 a Dutch national event was organized in Utrecht (the Netherlands) to present and focus on the outcomes of the Dutch research – results that were presented by Miranda Boone, Matthijs van der Kooij and Stephanie Rap.
The three researchers began their presentation with a short history, telling that the use of EM in the Netherlands started in 1995 with a pilot project by the Dutch Probation Service. The introduction of this new method did not at all go smoothly – in fact in the beginning there was a lot of resistance against the new idea and the ways of working that were part of it. However the process went on and nowadays EM is an essential part of the Dutch probation practice.
The research in the project consisted of observations and interviews with both probation officers and their “clients”. One of the important findings was that EM is never a “goal in itself”, but always a “way to reach other goals”, like for example improving the quality of supervision, changing the clients’ behaviour and protecting the victims. For the success of it however it proved to be vital that the offender is willing to cooperate, and that a few important conditions are secured: the offender should have a home and daily activities (either work or education), and should not being severely addicted to drugs/alcohol or being psychiatrically ill.
In the last years a very important and efficient step has been taken through the creation of a so-called “digital window” (online open office) to centralize the communications, applications and contacts in the new EM practices and work areas.
After the presentation on the project research, 3 experts in the field gave their reaction: Ms Soraya Beumer (Dutch Probation Service), Ms. Michèle Blom (Ministry of Security and Justice) and Ms. Jolande uit Beijerse (Erasmus University).
Their overall remarks were that EM is very well on its way to be used more and more as alternative for (short) detention and that it has successfully contributed to reducing recidivism.
A hopeful sign for future developments!
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
Technology
Registration deadline approaching: Join CEP’s final workshop of 2026 on technology in probation
22/10/2026
📢 Have you registered yet? CEP’s final workshop of 2026 takes place on 24 November in Barcelona, bringing together professionals to explore how technology is being used across probation services in Europe.
The Workshop on Alternatives to Detention and Technologies: Deep Diving into New Trends will look beyond artificial intelligence to examine the different ways technology is shaping probation practice, from staff training to working with clients and collaborating with other criminal justice partners.
Recap
Directors General Meetings
CEP Leadership Excellence Training: strengthening leadership and cooperation across Europe
22/10/2026
The CEP Leadership Excellence Training, held on 20–21 October in Zagreb, Croatia, brought together Directors General and senior probation managers from 11 European countries for a two-day interactive programme focused on leadership, communication, staff development, and international cooperation.
New
CEP
Call for Proposals: Evaluation of CEP Expert Groups
21/10/2026
On behalf of Ms. Jana Špero Kamenjarin, CEP Secretary General, it is my pleasure to invite you to submit a proposal to conduct an evaluation within the CEP work programme.
Recap
Uncategorized
CEP at UNODC: Contributing to the Development of Probation Services Worldwide
19/10/2026
The Confederation of European Probation (CEP) was represented by its Secretary General, Jana Špero Kamenjarin, at the Expert Group Meeting on the Establishment of Probation Services and Probation Practices, organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and held at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) from 12 to 14 October 2026.
Recap
Electronic monitoring, Technology
14th Electronic Monitoring Conference, Electronic Monitoring in a Changing World – Perception vs Reality
08/10/2026
On 6-8 October 2026, Antalya hosted the 14th Electronic Monitoring Conference “Electronic Monitoring in a Changing World – Perception vs Reality”. More than 350 participants coming from 32 countries across Europe and worldwide representing probation services, Ministries of Justice, victims´ services, EM providers, researchers as well as local participants representing the Turkish Prison and Probation Service gathered to discuss how electronic monitoring (EM) is understood by all stakeholders involved including the victims and the public, and how these perceptions compare to the evidence and experiences of those affected. While the gap between perception and reality in electronic monitoring has been recognised for over a decade, the rapid expansion of EM into areas such as victim protection, high-risk supervision and digital innovation has brought new challenges and questions to the forefront.
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.”
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.