In October 2013, the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) launched the First World Congress on Probation. CEP organised it to bring together practitioners and those with an interest in probation and community justice from across the globe to share their knowledge and experience. The Congress provided participants with the opportunity to examine and discuss new and changing probation practices which aim to support offenders in moving away from a life of crime.
After the first successful World Congress, two other editions have been organised. The Second World Congress on Probation was organised by the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) and the International Community Corrections Association (ICCA) in Los Angeles, USA.
The third World Congress on Probation was held in Tokyo, Japan and organised by the Rehabilitation Services of Japan.
In September 2019 the Fourth World Congress on Probation was held in Sydney, Australia and organised by Department of Communities and Justice (New South Wales, Australia).
The fifth World Congress on Probation was held in Ottawa, Canada, from 28th September to 1st October 2022, and organised by the Canadian Criminal Justice Association. Read here the report.
The sixth World Congress on Probation was held in The Hague, The Netherlands, from 17th to 19th April 2024 and organised by the Dutch Probation Service. Read the report here.
The seventh World Congress on Probation and Parole was held in Bali, Indonesia from 14th to 17th April 2026 and organised by the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections of the Republic of Indonesia.
The eighth World Congress on Probation and Parole will be held in Latvia.
The 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole was held in Bali, Indonesia, in April 2026. The Congress brought together over 467 participants from more than 48 countries, providing a global platform for exchange, cooperation, and learning.
The programme featured a wide range of plenary sessions and workshops, highlighting best practices in rehabilitation, reintegration, and community-based approaches. Discussions focused on “what works” in practice, the importance of social inclusion, and the role of community and volunteers in supporting probation.
The Congress also addressed ongoing developments in criminal justice, including legal reforms, and explored opportunities for stronger international collaboration. A prison visit in Bangli highlighted shared global challenges such as overcrowding, alongside continued efforts towards rehabilitation and reintegration.
More information: https://www.wcpp2026.id/
The presentations will be uploaded soon.
Pictures can be found here.
Read and view also the recap by Jo Tein (CEP Honorary Member) – day 1, day 2 and day 3-4
The 6th World Congress on Probation and Parole was held in The Hague, The Netherlands, from 17 April to 19 April 2024. This edition was the most inclusive and diverse so far: 500 participants from over 60 countries came together to discuss the future of probation and parole. In the programme, speakers from all six continents shared their views on this future and their experiences with and ideas for probation in different contexts. Focusing on the subthemes society, system or practice, they engaged participants in inspirational talks, round tables, workspaces and out-of-the-box sessions. There were also poster presentations and a special future track, in which macro-social trends were translated into a future agenda for the global probation community. In addition to this in-depth focus, participants also strengthened their network and personal connections during the evening programmes and enjoyed special performances by a choir, the Dutch Enkelband (whose members all work for the Dutch Probation Service), a Caribbean brass band and spoken word artists. All in all, the 6th edition was a heart-warming encounter and a stepping stone towards more global collaboration and the development of probation and parole. Want to know more? Contact the Dutch Probation Service.
The presentations that were held during the Sixth World Congress on Probation and Parole are collected on this page.
Clement Okech – Reforming Probation: The Changing Perspectives of The Probation Service In Kenya
Ioan Durnescu and Faye Taxman – Probation around the world 2.0
Read CEP’s recap of this event
To commemorate the event, the organisers created a booklet filled with memories and interviews, highlighting key insights and experiences shared during the congress.
Photos taken by Eelkje Colmjon
“No One Left Behind: Building Community Capacity”The 5th World Congress on Probation and Parole was held in Ottawa, Canada, from 28th September to 1st October 2022. The Congress brought together professionals from all parts of the world; 320 delegates and participants from over 30 countries. The theme, No One Left Behind, encapsulated the shared commitment of probation and parole authorities and professionals to reach out to and include the marginalised and excluded at the heart of their work. The Congress programme offered a wide variety of excellent speeches and workshops, representing the best practices around the world with the same idea; treatment and rehabilitation of offenders under probation supervision, respecting and protecting human rights and working for a safer and better society for all. Read more
The papers and presentations from the 5th World Congress on Parole and Probation can be found on the CCJA website.
In September 2019 the Fourth World Congress on Probation was held in Sydney, Australia. The event was an opportunity for experts and practitioners from around the world to promote and develop probation and community corrections through the sharing of practical and academic knowledge. In total more than 340 delegates attended, representing 25 countries and almost every continent of the world.
The four main keynote addresses can be downloaded and viewed here.
In 2017, the Rehabilitation Services of Japan organised the Third World Congress on Probation in Tokyo, Japan. All the presentations that were held during the Third World Congress on Probation are collected on this page.
Frank Porporino
Peter Raynor
Todd Clear
Tomoko Akane
Plenary Japan
Plenary Thailand
Plenary Kenya
Plenary Netherlands
Plenary Australia
In 2015, the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) and the International Community Corrections Association (ICCA) organised the Second World Congress on Probation in Los Angeles, USA. All the presentations that were held during the Second World Congress on Probation are collected on this page.
Hiroshi Shojima
Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice, Japan United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI)
Professor Kayo Konagai
Jim Barton & Steve Pitts
Angela Hawken, Steven Alm and Bernie Warner
Gerry McNally
Byungbae Kim
Yu Ming-Jen
Garry Herceg
CHAMPS
Young in Prison, South Africa
Guy Bourgon
Prof Ioan Durnescu
Professor Cecelia Klingele
Becki Ney and Patricia van Voorhis
Denise Butt, Mignon French and Clive Long
Bas Vogelvang
Randy Shively and Rose Ricciardelli
Heather Kerr
Kirsten Lewis
Faye S. Taxman and Edward Rhine
Dr.Yossawan Boriboonthana
Korakod Narkvichetr
Phornprapha Klaewkla
Manuel G. Co
PRI
In October 2013, CEP (European Organisation for Probation) launched the first World Congress on Probation in London, UK. All the presentations that were held during the First World Congress on Probation are collected on this page.
Frank J. Porporino
Stephen Farrall, Shadd Maruna & Fergus McNeill
Ioan Durnescu
William Burrell
Adam Dalrymple
Prof. Martine. Herzog-Evans
Jo Tein
Tim Chapman and Hugh Campbell
Annie Devos
Anneke Menger and Andrea Donker
Prof. Charlie Brooker and Prof. David Denney
Dr. Vikki Baker and Sandra Oluonye
Penny Barker and Nigel Byford
Martin Copsey and Sue Rex
Neil Moloney
Loraine Gelsthorpe
Professor Paul Senior
Elizabeth Hayes
Bas Vogelvang
Evidence-based Japanese Perspective Prof. Kayo Konagai
Ms. Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol
Nathee Chitsawang
Paul Kintu
Clement Okech
Alba Jorganxhi
Vladimir Grosu and Vladimir Popa
Leo Tigges
Guy Schmit
John Walters, Nicolet Faber and Joanna Joyce
Olga Espinoza, Carolina Villagra and Fernando Martínez
Nikhil Roy
Peter Reckling
Timothy Leo
