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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.
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Partners
Memorandum of Understanding Signed Between CEP and RESCALED
11/12/2025
On 10 December 2025, at the CEP Headquarters in Utrecht, CEP and RESCALED signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The MoU was signed by Rogier Elshout, Chair of Rescaled and Jana Špero Kamenjarin, CEP Secretary General, with the signing ceremony attended by Helen De Vos, Rescaled Executive Director and Daniel Danglades, CEP Vice-President.
Through this partnership, both organizations will work together to develop joint activities, exchange expertise, and support initiatives that advance their shared objectives.
This MoU reflects a commitment to transparent communication and the creation of new opportunities for joint projects and broader community impact.
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Human rights and ethics
10 December – Human Rights Day
10/12/2025
CEP champions human rights because protecting dignity, fairness and equality is at the heart of effective probation. On 10 December, Human Rights Day, CEP celebrates the principle that everyone deserves respect and justice. Across Europe, CEP promotes social inclusion and supports the reintegration of people in contact with the criminal justice system. CEP strengthens community-based alternatives to imprisonment that reduce reoffending and build safer societies, advances professional and ethical probation practice, and connects practitioners, policymakers and researchers to share knowledge and promote humane justice. For CEP, justice is not only about punishment but also about opportunity, rehabilitation and respect for all.
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CEP Events
Recap: First face-to-face meeting of the Expert Group Chairs
10/12/2025
On 9 December 2025, the CEP Office in Utrecht hosted the first face-to-face meeting of the Expert Group Chairs. The purpose of this meeting was to reintroduce the work of the Expert Groups and explore connections between work plans, opportunities for cooperation, and areas of common interest.
Recap
Framework Decisions
Recap: ERA seminar “Framework Decisions 2008/947/JHA and 2009/829/JHA and their Impact on Alternatives in the EU”
09/12/2025
On 4–5 December 2025, CEP representatives Gerry McNally, Danijela Mrhar Prelić and Pia Andersson attended the ERA seminar “Framework Decisions 2008/947/JHA and 2009/829/JHA and their Impact on Alternatives in the EU” in Vilnius.
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Probation in Europe, Probation outside Europe
20th anniversary of Probation Service in Türkiye
08/12/2025
CEP had the privilege of participating in the Turkish Probation System 20th Year International Congress, marking the 20th anniversary of the Probation Service in Türkiye, held from 1–3 December 2025 at ATGV in Antalya.
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04/12/2025
On 3 December, on the occasion of the joint CEP and EuroPris Workshop on Transition from Prison to Probation held at the Centre for Legal Studies and Judicial Training (CEJFE) in Barcelona, representatives from both international organisations met with senior officials from the Catalan Ministry of Justice to present their current work, reflect on ongoing cooperation, and explore shared priorities for future collaboration.
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