Previous Article
News
Podcast Series Explores the Purposes and Future of Probation
The Rehabilitating Probation project is exploring the impact of years of structural reforms, including part-privatisation and its reversal, on probation in England and Wales.
What is Probation for?
For some people, the answer may be clear – probation’s function is to protect the public. While others strongly believe that probation is a service whose purpose is to promote rehabilitation. Of course, these two aims don’t have to be incompatible, but the different opinions and experiences of probation do say something about the complexity of the job and the way in which probation practice has changed over the years. In order to explore these broader questions – What is Probation For? and What Should Probation be For? – the team have been holding a series of workshops with different people who have experience of probation. These workshops have been co-designed by the peer researchers involved in the Rehabilitating Probation project, who were keen that we go back to look at these fundamentals and try to envisage what probation should be for.
The research team has also been working with the Prison Radio Association on a podcast series, based on this work. Paula Harriott and Phil Maguire, the hosts of the Secret Lives of Prison podcast, attended a workshop participants, and recorded the first episode of the series on the day. You can listen to it here: The Future of Probation – Part 1. The second episode of the series features Dr Matthew Millings who is the Principal Investigator of the Rehabilitating Probation project and Professor Nicola Carr, one of the co-investigators and CEP board member, reflecting on what has come out of the workshops and talking about some of the emergent research findings. You can listen to this episode here: The Future of Probation – Part 2. The final episode of the series is in preparation and will be released in autumn.
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
Uncategorized
CEP at the EMPRO Symposium hosted by ERA
04/02/2026
CEP actively contributed to the EMPRO Knowledge Exchange Symposium hosted by the Academy of European Law (ERA) in Trier on 28–29 January, bringing together practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to reflect on the implementation of EU Framework Decisions in probation and supervision.
New
Alternatives to pre-trial detention, Community Sanctions and Measures, Framework Decisions, Technology
Future of Criminal Justice: CEP’s Contribution to Key 2025 Dialogues
27/01/2026
Throughout 2025, CEP and its representatives actively participated in the online Technical meetings ahead of the HLF as well as the High Level Forum on Future of Criminal Justice taking place on 4-5 March 2025, 20-21 May 2025 and 1-2 October 2025 in Brussels, Belgium.
Recap
Alternatives to pre-trial detention
Recap: Webinar on Alternatives to Detention 2026
26/01/2026
On Thursday 22 January, CEP hosted the first webinar of 2025 on the topic of Alternatives to Detention. The session led by Ms. Marina Pajoni from the French Prison and Probation Service titled „Problem Solving Justice in Pracitce: The Meuse Probation Service´s Approach to Drug Addiction“ introduced an innovative programme developed by the Meuse Probation Service in close cooperation with the French Ministry of Justice.
New
Education and Training
CEP launches an interactive European map of probation education and training institution contacts
22/01/2026
The CEP is pleased to inform its members that a new dedicated section has been developed on the CEP website featuring an interactive map of Europe.
New
CEP Events
CEP activity calendar 2026
20/01/2026
As we begin the new year, we would like to thank all CEP members, partners, and participants for your continued engagement and valuable contributions. Your involvement plays an essential role in shaping CEP’s work and activities.
We are pleased to share the CEP calendar for 2026, which provides an overview of the events planned for the year ahead. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and welcoming you to upcoming CEP activities throughout the year.
Thank you for being part of the CEP community.
New
CEP members, Gender-based violence
Interventions Alliance’s Eden House Recognized as Outstanding
15/01/2026
CEP is delighted to share that Eden House, an Interventions Alliance residential service for women with high-risk or complex needs on probation, has been rated “Outstanding” overall by HM Inspectorate of Probation. In 2022, Eden House was honored with the CEP Public Protection Award. Our sincere congratulations to the team for this remarkable achievement.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.