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International Day for Community Volunteers

 17 April – International Day for Community Volunteers!
Today, we celebrate the inaugural International Day for Community Volunteers Supporting Offender Reintegration—a day dedicated to acknowledging the vital contributions of volunteers who assist individuals in their journey back into society.​
This initiative was launched during the 2nd World Congress for Community Volunteers, held alongside the 6th World Congress on Parole and Probation in The Hague (16–18 April 2024).​
At CEP, we’re proud to support the official Declaration on the International Day for Community Volunteers. We’re also actively involved in the CoPPer project—a European initiative aimed at promoting community participation in probation services. CoPPer focuses on training volunteers to support individuals under supervision, helping them access education, employment, and community connections. ​
🎥 Hear from our Secretary General in this video, sharing why this day and the CoPPer project matter:
A heartfelt thank you to all the community volunteers out there—your dedication makes a real difference.​

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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

Electronic monitoring

Recap: CEP Expert Group meeting at ATGV Antalya

12/03/2026

The CEP Expert Group on Electronic Monitoring, along with representatives of the CEP Office led by Mr. Daniel Danglades, CEP Vice-President, visited the Education and Social Facility of the Ministry of Justice in Türkiye – ATGV Antalya. The host country was represented by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Director General Mr. Fatih Güngör, Head of the Turkish Probation Department Dr. Hüseyin Şık, Member of the CEP EM Expert Group Ms. Elçin Kilecioğlu, as well as the Director and representatives of the ATGV facility, and officials from the courts, prosecution, and probation services in Antalya.

Recap

Education and Training

Recap: CEP Expert Network on Education and Training in Probation meets with the European Commission to discuss the EU Judicial Training Strategy

11/03/2026

On 11 March 2026, the CEP Expert Network on Education and Training in Probation met online with more than 20 participants from Belgium, Denmark, Sweeden, France, Romania, Croatia, Catalonia, Poland, United Kingdom and Türkiye to exchange views with the European Commission on the newly adopted EU Judicial Training Strategy 2025–2030.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for representatives of probation training institutions across Europe to engage directly with European Commission officials and discuss how the strategy may impact the training of probation and prison staff in the coming years.

Probation Journal

Women, youth

Understanding the needs of girls and young women in youth justice

10/03/2026

New research highlights the underlying needs that influence girls’ and young women’s contact with youth justice systems and calls for more gender responsive approaches in policy and practice. Drawing on a review of recent studies, the authors identify several factors shaping girls’ pathways into the justice system, including persistent abuse, trauma, gendered expectations, and systemic failures. Girls involved in youth justice are often affected by multiple forms of victimisation, such as sexual abuse, neglect, and domestic violence, with experiences frequently beginning in early childhood.

New

CEP Board

Interview with new CEP board member Ian Barrow

09/03/2026

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

Gender Equality, Gender-based violence

Women’s Day

09/03/2026

Yesterday was International Women’s Day.

At CEP, this day closely reflects our core values and ongoing commitment to promoting gender equality and addressing gender-based violence within the context of probation and community justice.

Directors General Meetings

Online meeting for Directors General and Senior Managers in Probation

05/03/2026

On Wednesday 4 March CEP organized its annual online meeting for Directors General and Senior Managers in Probation. The session offered a comprehensive look into how CEP Expert Groups function and the value they bring across the organization. Participants gained a clearer understanding of how these groups operate, how they support CEP’s strategic priorities, and how colleagues can engage with their work—either as active members or as stakeholders who rely on their outputs.

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