Skip to content

News

Interview with new CEP board member Nicola Carr

During the General Assembly in Croatia, 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.

Interview with new CEP board member Nicola Carr

Can you shortly introduce yourself? 

My name is Nicola Carr, I am a Professor of Criminology based at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. I am the editor of the Probation Journal, and an editorial board member of the Irish Probation Journal. Before becoming an academic I trained and worked as a probation officer in London. In my current role, I research different aspects of probation and community sanctions and measures. I am particularly interested in how practitioners interpret and carry out their roles and how people subject to supervision experience this.

Why did you decide to run for the CEP Board?

I have followed the work of CEP for many years and have been involved in some CEP-run events in the past. I think it is an excellent organization that makes an important contribution to debates about the purposes of probation. I also like the fact of being involved in an organization that has a wide reach across Europe.

How would you like to contribute to the development of CEP in the upcoming three years and what impact do you hope to have on CEP? 

I am particularly interested in research, education and training, and I would very much like to contribute to these areas in the coming three years. It would be great to see CEP developing its research capacity, and its role in bringing research to wider audiences.

What are your main priorities/topics you would like to open while serving as the CEP Board member and how would you like to make use of your knowledge to the development of CEP?

I would be great to see the CEP developing its research capacity. The CEP is an important network for probation in Europe and it has the potential to facilitate and contribute to comparative research. I hope to contribute to the development of CEP’s research agenda and to its wider aims.

What are the challenges that lie ahead of CEP in the future? 

It would be great to see the CEP expand its reach by raising awareness of its role amongst practitioners working in probation services in Europe. There are challenges in advocating for the role of probation while also encouraging them to be used sparingly in order to avoid net-widening effects.

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.

New

Technology

Registration deadline approaching: Join CEP’s final workshop of 2026 on technology in probation

22/10/2026

📢 Have you registered yet? CEP’s final workshop of 2026 takes place on 24 November in Barcelona, bringing together professionals to explore how technology is being used across probation services in Europe.

The Workshop on Alternatives to Detention and Technologies: Deep Diving into New Trends will look beyond artificial intelligence to examine the different ways technology is shaping probation practice, from staff training to working with clients and collaborating with other criminal justice partners.

Recap

Directors General Meetings

CEP Leadership Excellence Training: strengthening leadership and cooperation across Europe

22/10/2026

The CEP Leadership Excellence Training, held on 20–21 October in Zagreb, Croatia, brought together Directors General and senior probation managers from 11 European countries for a two-day interactive programme focused on leadership, communication, staff development, and international cooperation.

New

CEP

Call for Proposals: Evaluation of CEP Expert Groups

21/10/2026

On behalf of Ms. Jana Špero Kamenjarin, CEP Secretary General, it is my pleasure to invite you to submit a proposal to conduct an evaluation within the CEP work programme.

Recap

Uncategorized

CEP at UNODC: Contributing to the Development of Probation Services Worldwide

19/10/2026

The Confederation of European Probation (CEP) was represented by its Secretary General, Jana Špero Kamenjarin, at the Expert Group Meeting on the Establishment of Probation Services and Probation Practices, organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and held at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) from 12 to 14 October 2026.

Recap

Electronic monitoring, Technology

14th Electronic Monitoring Conference, Electronic Monitoring in a Changing World – Perception vs Reality

08/10/2026

On 6-8 October 2026, Antalya hosted the 14th Electronic Monitoring Conference “Electronic Monitoring in a Changing World – Perception vs Reality”. More than 350 participants coming from 32 countries across Europe and worldwide representing probation services, Ministries of Justice, victims´ services, EM providers, researchers as well as local participants representing the Turkish Prison and Probation Service gathered to discuss how electronic monitoring (EM) is understood by all stakeholders involved including the victims and the public, and how these perceptions compare to the evidence and experiences of those affected. While the gap between perception and reality in electronic monitoring has been recognised for over a decade, the rapid expansion of EM into areas such as victim protection, high-risk supervision and digital innovation has brought new challenges and questions to the forefront.

Recap

ITSCCS

Core Correctional Skills in Digital Probation: highlights from the 6th ITSCCS in Barcelona

05/10/2026

The sixth International Training School on Core Correctional Skills (ITSCCS) took place in Barcelona from 28 September to 2 October 2026, bringing together 26 participants for a week of learning, practical training and international exchange. Organised by the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) and the Centre for Legal Studies and Specialised Training (CEJFE), the programme focused on “Clicks and Empathy: Core Correctional Skills in Digital Probation.”

Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!