Previous Article
News
Interesting article: ‘Probation Officer as a Coach: Building a New Professional Identity’
This article is about the report “Probation Officer as a Coach: Building a New Professional Identity’, which was published in the Federal Probation Journal, June 2018. The editors are Brian K. Lovins (Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department), Francis T. Cullen (University of Cincinnati), Edward J. Latessa (University of Cincinnati) and Cheryl Leo Jonson (Xavier University).
In America the amount of probationers is growing massively, one out of 53 people is under probation supervision. According to Lovins et al. a continuing concern is what role a probation officer should play in the live of a probationer.
“In traditional discourse, role choices have often been posed in dichotomous terms whether officers were going to emphasize treatment or control. We suggest, however, that it may be more useful to move beyond these stale categories. Instead, we propose that probation (and parole) officers might benefit from a different concept of who they are and what they do: probation officer as a coach.”
In the report you can read that Lovins et al. describe the current probation officer as a referee and they suggest to work more in the same way as a coach. According to them this results in new opportunities and it is more effective than the referee method. “Our argument is developed in three sections. First, we propose that too often the current probation officer role is best conceptualised as being a “referee.” We use the probation officer as referee as a way of showing what, in contrast, a coach’s role would entail. Second, we examine the skills that a probation officer as coach would need to possess to supervise offenders effectively. And third, we discuss the potential benefits that would accrue should probation officers be conceptualised as part of the coaching profession. Notably, coaching has broadened beyond athletic teams to include diverse pathways (e.g., life coaches, executive coaches, personal trainers).”
Please click on the link to read ‘Probation Officer as a Coach: Building a New Professional Identity’.
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.
Recap
Prison
CEP at the 2026 European Symposium on Detention Houses
28/04/2026
On 21–22 April 2026, CEP participated in the 2026 European Symposium on Detention Houses organised by RESCALED in Tirana, Albania.
Held under the theme “Sustainability and Justice”, the Symposium focused on promoting detention houses as a sustainable and humane alternative to large-scale prison institutions, bringing together justice practitioners from across Europe to discuss innovative approaches to detention and reintegration.
Recap
Education and Training
Recap: Expert Network on Education and Training in Probation Launches New Term and Sets Priorities for 2026–2028
24/04/2026
On 21 April 2026, the Education and Training Expert Network in Probation held its second online meeting, bringing together representatives from CEP member organisations and experts involved in the training of probation professionals across Europe. The meeting marked the beginning of a new working cycle for the network, under the leadership of its Chair, Cédric Le Bossé, and provided an important opportunity to collectively reflect on its future direction.
New
CEP Board
Interview with new CEP board member Eva Fernandes
23/04/2026
During the General Assembly in Austria, a new CEP Board got elected for the upcoming three years. In the coming weeks we will publish interviews with all newly-elected board members where they will share information on their professional background, how they would like to contribute, what challenges lie ahead and many more.
Enjoy reading!
New
CEP members, Probation in Europe
CEP Member visit to the Probation Service in Albania
22/04/2026
On 22 April 2026, the Confederation of European Probation carried out a member visit to the Probation Service in Albania, where the delegation was warmly welcomed by Ms Irma Bime, newly appointed Director General for Probation, Mr Eris Sheshi, Director of Electronic Monitoring and Ms Drisilda Memollari, Head of the Probation Office in Tirana.
CEP was represented by Ms Jana Spero Kamenjarin, Secretary General, and Mr Daniel Danglades, Vice President.
Recap
Probation outside Europe
Recap: 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole, day 3 and 4
20/04/2026
Daniel, CEP Vice-President, and Nasir, head of an Indonesian probation and parole office and one of the organisers of the World Congress, reflect on days 3 and 4 of the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, Indonesia.
Recap
Probation in Europe
CEP at PC-CP 41st Working Group Meeting
20/04/2026
On 14–16 April 2026, CEP Secretary General Jana Špero Kamenjarin represented CEP at the 41st meeting of the Working Group of the Council for Penological Co-operation (PC-CP) in Paris, France.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.