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Prisoner Resettlement in Europe

Questions regarding how to improve the transitional phase from prison to life in society after release have gained major importance in the last decade in criminal policy. All over the world release preparation and resettlement practice are discussed with the aim to reduce negative effects of imprisonment and re-offending rates. Small and large reforms aiming at the improvement of release processes and reintegration strategies have taken place in many European states.

This book is written by Frieder Dünkel (Professor Emeritus at the Department of Criminology at the University of Greifswald, Germany), Ineke Pruin (Assistant Professor at the Department for Criminal Law and Criminology at the University of Bern, Switzerland), Anette Storgaard (Professor of Criminology and Penology at the Law Department at the University of Aarhus, Denmark) and Jonas Weber (Assistant Professor at the Department for Criminal Law and Criminology at the University of Bern, Switzerland).

This book describes the current European landscape of prisoner resettlement and brings together the results and ideas of leading European academic experts with the ambition of furthering national, European and international reform debates. This book presents national reports about resettlement processes and structures in 20 European countries: written by national scholars, these reports reveal important actors in resettlement processes as well as political decisions about the role of the communities in “taking the prisoners back”, or the use of early release as a strategy to motivate the released prisoner to enter into a future without crime. Thematic chapters then concentrate on several aspects of prisoner resettlement that are of importance across borders: ethical, legal and practical challenges are discussed with a view on European developments, and theoretical frameworks of prisoner resettlement are used to develop comprehensive perspectives for future reform debates.

The book serves as a fundamental source for researchers, politicians and practitioners in the field of prison and probation reform and practice. It is also useful in the field of social work, in so far that the analyses confirm that prisoner resettlement is not just a problem of criminal, but also of social justice. Sustainable reforms need the will of and good cooperation between all responsible actors and organisations from the justice, social, health and welfare sectors, as well as from society as a whole in the consent for taking released prisoners back.

Order the book Prisoner Resettlement in Europe here.

Probation library

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.

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.

Probation Journal

CEP

New Publication: CEP, Probation and the Digital Future

02/07/2026

The latest issue of the Journal of Offender Monitoring features an English version of Gerry McNally’s chapter, CEP, Probation and the Digital Future, first published in 2023 as part of the Portuguese book Execução das Penas e Medidas na Comunidade no Futuro Digital, edited by Nuno Caiado.

Probation Journal

Framework Decisions

Exploratory Study on the possible Lisbonisation of ex-third pillar acquis in the area of mutual recognition in criminal matters published

23/06/2026

Commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) and undertaken by ICF SA in December 2023, the study, published in April 2026, assesses the mutual recognition of criminal decisions and cross-border cooperation on criminal matters.  

Reading corner

Violent Extremism

New newsletter available: EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation

11/05/2026

The latest edition of the EU Knowledge Hub newsletter brings together policy, research, and practice to address evolving radicalisation threats across Europe.

Probation Journal

Research

What is the societal value of probation?

04/05/2026

During the CEP 15th General Assembly and International Conference on Gender-Based Violence in Probation (from 14 to 16 October 2025 in Vienna, Austria), the Dutch research group Modelling Societal Impact received the CEP Probation Research Award for their work on the societal impact of the Dutch probation services. The research has since been completed. There are multiple reports published (in Dutch) and a short videocast with English subtitles. For anyone interested, see below an oversight of the published research and relevant links to the publications and videocast.

This research may help other European countries demonstrate the added value of probation for their national context. If you would like to learn more about this, please contact: a.a.nemeth@saxion.nl (dr.ir. Attila Németh) or a.visser@saxion.nl (Anouk Visser, MSc.)

Probation Journal

Women, youth

Understanding the needs of girls and young women in youth justice

10/03/2026

New research highlights the underlying needs that influence girls’ and young women’s contact with youth justice systems and calls for more gender responsive approaches in policy and practice. Drawing on a review of recent studies, the authors identify several factors shaping girls’ pathways into the justice system, including persistent abuse, trauma, gendered expectations, and systemic failures. Girls involved in youth justice are often affected by multiple forms of victimisation, such as sexual abuse, neglect, and domestic violence, with experiences frequently beginning in early childhood.

Reading corner

Probation in Europe

The Routledge Handbook of European Penology

05/01/2026

The Routledge Handbook of European Penology, published by Routledge. This comprehensive volume has been edited by Sonja Snacken, Gaëtan Cliquennois, Ioan Durnescu, Diete Humblet and Elena Larrauri.

Reading corner

Criminal Justice

Bridging Research and Practice in Forensic Social Work: An interview with the editors of Forensic Social Work – Supporting Desistance

17/12/2025

Supporting desistance while managing risk is at the heart of criminal justice social work across Europe. In Forensic Social Work – Supporting Desistance, editors Jacqueline Bosker, Anneke Menger and Vivienne de Vogel bring together scientific insights and everyday professional practice to support those working with justice-involved individuals. In this interview, they reflect on the motivation behind the English edition of the book, its core themes, and how professionals can use its tools and approaches in their daily work.

Probation Journal

Domestic violence, Gender-based violence

New evaluation on whole family approach to domestic abuse

26/11/2025

Interventions Alliance has published a new evaluation of a Hub coordinated on behalf of police forces in the south of England, focused on tackling violence against women and children through a whole family approach. The Hub supports victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse and works across policing, health and social services.

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