Skip to content

News

Looking back: CEP webinar on Alternatives to pre-trial detention

In the morning of 14th December 2021 CEP organized an online webinar on the topic of Alternatives to Pre-trial detention.

In Europe 22% of the inmates held in European penal institutions are not serving a final sentence. Following the terminology of the Council of Europe, this means that 22% of the inmates are detainees placed in pre-trial detention.

It should be noted that in Europe an important part of the population in pre-trial detention are so-called ‘foreign nationals’. Especially in the European Union countries the percentage of foreign nationals in remand placed in pre-trial detention is relatively high (approximately almost 60%).

These data clearly show the overuse of pre-trial detention and emphasize the importance to promote the use of alternative measures to pre-trial detention in Europe, not only because prison overcrowding is still a big problem in many countries. Reducing the proportion of pre-trial detention is largely a matter of improving the functioning of the criminal justice process.

In the webinar CEP addressed the different mechanisms that influence the high number of detainees placed in pre-trial detention and focused on alternative measures available today to reduce the number of detainees placed in pre-trial detention, like the European Supervision Order and the Framework Decision 2009/829/JHA (FD 829).

Three excellent presentation were delivered by Ms. Ilze Tralmaka (Fair Trials), Ms. Tanja Dejanova (Penal Reform International) and Professor Ioan Durnescu (University of Bucharest, Romania) – these can be downloaded below.

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!