Previous Article
News
Presentations 2nd Education and Training Meeting now available!
On the 19th of June the second Expert Meeting on Education and training took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia with the purpose of including education and training within the sector of probation on the European agenda.
With a fast developing European criminal justice sector, a clear need has emerged for more knowledge on education and training. For this reason, CEP has started up a project on this topic and has appointed the University of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Utrecht to conduct a survey among EU member states on pre-employment training and incareer continuous training for probation and community supervision practitioners at an European level. At the first CEP expert meeting on Education and Training in Utrecht, December 2018, the first results from the survey were presented. It was also a starting point for creating a network of experts on education and training both within the probation sector as well as the pre-employment academic sector.
At this second meeting, CEP’s Policy Officer Maria Lindström started off with an introduction to the topic of the day together with Joep Hanrath, researcher from Utrecht University of applied science in the Netherlands. The opening was followed by a presentation by Nicola Carr, one of the authors of the drafted guidelines regarding recruitment, selection training and professional development of prison and probation staff. Her presentation was about the question: “What challenge do the guidelines pose for the professional execution of probation?”.
Séverine Dubaïssi, responsible for the development of training at L Ecole Nationale d ´Administration Penitentiaire (ENAP) held a presentation on the formation of the probation worker in the French context, and the facilitation of the transfer between school based learning and workplace learning. Séverine gave an overview on how the recruitment process and the first two years of education for probation officers is carried out in France. ENAP is a national organisation with around 380 staff trainers and they provide training for 500 probation officers every year.
The next presentation was held by Anneke Menger, emeritus professor at the University of Applied science, Utrecht the Netherlands. She introduced the participants to the basic principles of the working alliance and the challenges of working with mandated clients.
The final presentation was held by Danijela Mrhar Prelić, Director General for the Slovenian Probation Administration. She reflected on the presentations from the perspective of being Director of the youngest probation service in Europe. The Slovenian probation service started in April 2018. The decision to start a probation service was taken in 2006, but there was no real political support until 2015. Education and training were one of the most crucial topics in their action plan to set up the probation service.
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.
Probation Journal
juvenile offenders, Probation in Europe
Overview of Probation Procedures for Juveniles and Adults in Albania
22/07/2026
The Albanian Probation Service plays an important role in the implementation of alternative sanctions and measures for both juveniles and adults. Through supervision, assessment, and rehabilitation-oriented interventions, the Service aims to support compliance with court decisions, reduce the risk of reoffending, and promote the successful reintegration of individuals into society.
Community Sanctions and Measures
Nelson Mandela day
18/07/2026
Nelson Mandela Day reminds us that justice is not only about accountability – it is also about hope. Mandela believed in the dignity of every person and in the possibility of change. These principles are at the heart of probation.
Across Europe, probation professionals work every day to support people in taking responsibility for their actions, rebuilding their lives and successfully reintegrating into their communities. By promoting rehabilitation, social inclusion and human dignity, probation helps reduce reoffending and contributes to safer, more resilient societies.
New
Uncategorized
Applications for the Cambridge MSt in Applied Criminology, Penology and Management open soon
16/07/2026
The MSt in Applied Criminology, Penology and Management (Penology) at the University of Cambridge is designed for senior professionals working in prisons, probation, and related fields. The programme welcomes applicants from the public, private and voluntary sectors, the legal profession, and allied disciplines such as psychology and psychiatry.
New
CEP
Meet Ruth Armstrong, CEP’s new Research Policy Officer
14/07/2026
In early July 2026, Ruth Armstrong joined CEP as a Research Policy Officer. This is a new part-time role supporting the implementation of CEP’s Research and Development Strategy. Working with the Secretary General and the Expert Group on Research, Ruth will coordinate CEP’s research activities, exploring and building partnerships in research between academics and practitioners across Probation in Europe where members access, question and use evidence in their everyday work.
Recap
CJPE summer course, Gender-based violence
She Matters: Advancing Gender-Responsive Criminal Justice Through Cross-Sector Learning in Barcelona.
13/07/2026
From 7 to 10 July 2026, more than 60 criminal justice professionals from across Europe and beyond gathered in Barcelona for the 8th Criminal Justice Platform Europe (CJPE) Summer Course, hosted by the Centre for Legal Studies and Specialised Training (CEJFE) of the Government of Catalonia. Bringing together professionals from probation, restorative justice and prisons, the Summer Course once again demonstrated the unique value of cross-sector learning, international cooperation and professional exchange.
Reading corner
Probation in Europe
Dohľad
08/07/2026
The authentic world of probation and mediation, in which professional work intersects with human destinies, is brought to you by the publication through case studies revealing the diverse life stories of convicts and the dynamics of their relationship with probation and mediation officers.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.