News
Honouring Community Volunteers: CEP and Japan Hogoshi Federation sign new Affiliation Agreement
On the occasion of the International Day for Community Volunteers (17 April), the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) highlights the significance of community engagement in supporting rehabilitation and social reintegration across the world.
On 15 April 2026, CEP President Annie Devos signed an Affiliation Agreement with the Japan Hogoshi Federation (JHF), marking an important step in strengthening international cooperation between organisations rooted in community-based support systems.
The agreement recognises the shared mission of both organisations.
Through this affiliation, CEP and JHF commit to closer collaboration by sharing information, research and good practices, and by exploring opportunities to participate in each other’s events and activities. A key focus of the agreement is to enhance global awareness of the essential role played by community volunteers and to further develop innovative approaches that strengthen volunteer-based support systems.
The agreement also opens the door to developing a more structured international network of cooperation between volunteers and practitioners working in the field of community justice.
World Congress on Community Volunteers, held as part of the World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, had CEP’s active engagement as the event was moderated by CEP Vice-President Daniel Danglades. This further underlines CEP’s commitment to strengthening the role of community volunteers at an international level.

New CEP-Hogoshi partnership, underscores the importance of recognising, supporting and connecting those who dedicate their time and effort to helping others rebuild their lives within the community as the best new achievement in light of 17 April – International Day for Community Volunteers.
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.
Gender-based violence
New European Master’s Programme on Perpetrator Intervention Launched
07/05/2026
The European Network for the Work with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence (WWP EN), in collaboration with Blanquerna – Universitat Ramon Llull (Barcelona), has launched a pioneering new programme:
Lifelong Learning Master’s Degree in Intervention Strategies with Perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence: Social, Clinical, and Legal Perspectives
This initiative represents the first international lifelong learning Master’s programme specifically focused on perpetrator intervention, offering a unique opportunity for professionals working to address and prevent gender-based violence across Europe and beyond.
Education and Training
CEP Expert Network on Education and Training Publishes Technical Recommendations on Mentoring in Probation Training
06/05/2026
The Confederation of European Probation (CEP) is pleased to present the Technical Recommendations on Mentoring in the Context of Probation Training, developed through the work of the CEP Expert Network on Education and Training.
This publication is the result of extensive collaborative exchange among 30 experts from 15 European jurisdictions, who convened in March 2025 in Agen, France, at the École Nationale d’Administration Pénitentiaire (ENAP). Bringing together probation directors, middle managers, practitioners, and representatives from training institutions, the network worked collectively to identify shared challenges, exchange practices, and formulate practical recommendations to strengthen mentoring within probation services across Europe.
Research
What is the societal value of probation?
04/05/2026
During the CEP 15th General Assembly and International Conference on Gender-Based Violence in Probation (from 14 to 16 October 2025 in Vienna, Austria), the Dutch research group Modelling Societal Impact received the CEP Probation Research Award for their work on the societal impact of the Dutch probation services. The research has since been completed. There are multiple reports published (in Dutch) and a short videocast with English subtitles. For anyone interested, see below an oversight of the published research and relevant links to the publications and videocast.
This research may help other European countries demonstrate the added value of probation for their national context. If you would like to learn more about this, please contact: a.a.nemeth@saxion.nl (dr.ir. Attila Németh) or a.visser@saxion.nl (Anouk Visser, MSc.)
Probation outside Europe
CEP and CAPP sign Affiliation Agreement during 7th WCCP
01/05/2026
On 15 April 2026, during the World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) signed an Affiliation Agreement with the Caribbean Association of Probation and Parole (CAPP).
Technology
CEP Expert Group on Technology – online network meeting
30/04/2026
On Tuesday, 28 April 2026, the CEP Expert Group on Technology hosted an online network meeting introducing the newly finalised Practice Recommendations on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Probation.
CEP
Newsletter April 2026 out now
30/04/2026
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
"*" indicates required fields
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.


