Annual meeting of the Expert Network on Framework Decisions 829 and 947

Participants reported that the use of FD 947 remains generally low across Europe, with many jurisdictions experiencing only a small number of incoming and outgoing cases. Despite this, several countries noted increasing cross-border mobility and a growing number of foreign nationals under supervision, which may lead to greater use of the instrument in the future. A common challenge identified was the limited awareness and understanding of the Framework Decisions among judges, prosecutors and other practitioners. Many participants highlighted ongoing efforts to address this through training activities, webinars, guidance materials and enhanced cooperation between probation services and judicial authorities. The discussion also pointed to persistent procedural and administrative obstacles, including delays in decision-making, incomplete documentation, differences in national procedures and difficulties in meeting statutory deadlines. Participants agreed on the importance of practical tools, clear guidance and continued information exchange to support the more effective implementation of the Framework Decisions. 

CEP representatives, Gerry McNally, Chair of the Expert Network, and Mirka Jakesova, Policy Officer, provided participants with a presentation of the follow-up to the explanatory study commissioned by the European Commission, a comparison with the findings and recommendations of the 9th Round of Mutual Evaluations (2019-2023), and a discussion on the outcomes of the High-Level Forum on the Future of EU Criminal Justice and their relevance for the further development of mutual recognition instruments in the field of probation and supervision measures. 

The presentation highlighted the study’s key findings, namely that mutual recognition remains central to EU judicial cooperation, while disparities in implementation, the limited use of the instruments and digitalisation challenges continue to affect their effectiveness. Participants were also informed that Member States generally favour non-legislative approaches, placing greater emphasis on awareness-raising, practitioner training and operational efficiency, alongside a preference for practical solutions that facilitate the day-to-day application of the Framework Decisions rather than legislative reform.  

Participants then exchanged information on the currently running project – Detention, Alternatives, Mutual Trust and Mutual Legal Assistance run by the Academy of European Law (ERA) as well as EMPRO run by the French Prison and Probation Service. The two projects where CEP is an Associated Partner will come to its end in the coming months. Participants can already use the training materials developed within the framework of the project run by ERA.  

Lastly, the discussion session focused on the Workshop on Transfer of Sentences: Managing Foreign Nationals, which is being jointly organised by CEP and EuroPris on 6-7 April 2027 in Antwerp, Belgium. Participants were invited to contribute ideas and proposals that could enrich the workshop programme and support further cooperation and knowledge exchange in this area. The workshop will serve as an annual meeting for the Expert Network alongside two other specialised groups: the Foreign Nationals in Prison and Probation Group, run jointly by CEP and EuroPris, and the Expert Network on Framework Decision 909, run by EuroPris. This will provide an opportunity to bring together practitioners from across the prison and probation sectors to exchange expertise, identify common challenges and strengthen cooperation on issues relating to foreign nationals and the transfer of sentences.