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Expert group

Violent Extremism

Addressing the dangers posed by violent extremism in European countries is a primary concern of the criminal justice system. Prison and probation programs are key areas where radicalization and deradicalization intersect. In December 2016, CEP invited a number of experts in the field of violent extremism from different European countries to attend the very first expert group meeting on radicalisation and violent extremism.

The group

To prevent radicalisation, work for disengagement, provide rehabilitation programmes and post-release supervision, probation bodies across Europe have trained their staff to be able to work with and identify the potential threats from people on probation for different crimes. The changing landscape, emerging trends, and various movements across Europe, along with issues like fragmentation and the large number of people in prison awaiting release, have brought attention to several challenges: ongoing recruitment efforts targeting new members incl. children, and the rise of radicalization in online environments. As a result, probation and other involved agencies are focused on continuous staff training, staying informed about the latest trends, exchanging information, knowledge, and expertise, and developing specialized treatment programs.

CEP continues liaising and cooperating with international organisations in Counter-Terrorism including EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation (formerly RAN), ICCT, EFUS.

The group has been working to achieve following objectives:

to exchange information and knowledge on violent extremism,
to share good practices and to reflect on developments in different European member states,
to learn from the experience of experts in other countries dealing with similar problems and questions,
to disseminate relevant reports and research among CEP members,
to support and contribute to the development of projects dealing with the topic of radicalization and rehabilitation post-release,
to support policy developments, facilitate data collection and produce the report on interventions for offender until the age of 26.

Members

Daniel Wolter, Chair

DBH, Germany

Nadya Radkovska

General Directorate Execution of Sentences, Bulgaria

Jiří Ondovčák

Probation and Mediation Service, Czech Republic

Robert Örell

RAN, Sweden

Paul Dirken

Reclassering Nederland, The Netherlands

Jouni Holappa

Prison and Probation Service of Finland

Ariel Planeix

Ministry of Justice, Penitentiary Administration, France

Sandrine Hauswirth

Prison Service, Switzerland

Ioan Durnescu

University of Bucharest, Romania

Speakers

Daniel Wolter, Chair

DBH, Germany

Nadya Radkovska

General Directorate Execution of Sentences, Bulgaria

Jiří Ondovčák

Probation and Mediation Service, Czech Republic

Robert Örell

RAN, Sweden

Paul Dirken

Reclassering Nederland, The Netherlands

Jouni Holappa

Prison and Probation Service of Finland

Ariel Planeix

Ministry of Justice, Penitentiary Administration, France

Sandrine Hauswirth

Prison Service, Switzerland

Ioan Durnescu

University of Bucharest, Romania

Far right extremism webinar

Upcoming events

Interested in joining us for an event? Check out our upcoming gatherings

Past event
Expert group meeting

Seventh Expert Group On Violent Extremism

12 Mar 2026
13 Mar 2026
Bucharest, Romenia
On 12–13 March 2026, the Expert Group on Violent Extremism convened for an in‑person meeting in Bucharest, Romania. Hosted at the University of Bucharest, the meeting brought together practitioners and representatives from across Europe to finalise the overview of best practices for preventive interventions targeting juveniles and young adults up to the age of 26 under probation. Building on the extensive discussions and progress made in 2025, the group worked collaboratively to bring the document to completion.
Past event

Past events

Interested in our past events? Or would you like to relive the highlights? Check out all our past events here

Seventh Expert Group on Violent Extremism

11 Mar 2025

Sixth Expert Group meeting on Violent Extremism

26 Mar 2024

Fifth Expert Group meeting on Radicalisation and Violent Extremism

17 Oct 2023

Fourth Expert Group meeting on Radicalisation and Violent Extremism

29 Mar 2022

Fourth Violent Extremism Expert Meeting on right-wing extremism

10 Dec 2019

Third CEP Violent Extremism Expert Meeting

04 Dec 2018

2nd CEP Expert Meeting on Radicalization

15 Jun 2017

RAN radicalisation in probation meeting in Dublin

22 May 2017

Our knowledge of Violent Extremism

The dangers caused by violent extremism in European countries are paramount concerns of the criminal justice system. Prison and probation programs are two working fields where radicalisation, as well as deradicalisation meet. It is therefore important that prison and probation programs play an effective role in preventing violent extremism and raising knowledge regarding (de) radicalisation.

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