Projects
ERA project
Prison population rates within the EU still differentiate greatly from Member State to Member State, with the highest numbers still registered in the majority of newer Member States that joined after 2004. There is also a varying picture when it comes to the application of non-custodial sanctions and measures throughout the EU’s Member States, with there being a clear need to increase awareness about such alternative measures and their application amongst relevant practitioners in many Member States.
This clearly shows that more must be done to demonstrate the effectiveness of relevant EU instruments to reduce prison populations, use pre-trial detention as a measure of last resort and to consider the use of non-custodial sanctions and measures as an alternative. Moreover, a specific need for continuous training for magistrates at all stages of their career on all the mutual recognition instruments covered by this project has been identified, with there especially being a lack of knowledge and experience among practitioners as regards Framework Decisions 2008/947/JHA on probation and alternative sanctions and 2009/829/JHA on the European Supervision Order (ESO), which is an obstacle to a more frequent application of these instruments.
The project offers a comprehensive overview of EU instruments of mutual legal assistance and mutual legal recognition in the field of deprivation or restriction of liberty, placing them within the wider context of the applicable Council of Europe recommendations and the relevant ECtHR and CJEU judgments, with the aim of facilitating better cross-border cooperation among Member States and raising awareness of alternatives to detention.
CEP is an Associated partner in this project.
Partner organisations
Our knowledge of Framework Decisions
The European Union and the Council of Europe have become increasingly important players in the development of probation in Europe. CEP is not only the voice of probation in Europe, it also wants to stimulate and support initiatives of international cooperation on probation and on the implementation of EU regulations. Below you will find all the information about the implementation of Framework Decisions 2009/829/JHA and 2008/947/JHA.
Related News
Check out the latest news and updates on this project’s focus area.
New
Caseload and workload
Guidelines on Caseload and Workload
08/06/2026
CEP Expert Group on Caseload and Workload is proud announce the publication of the Guidelines on Caseload and Workload.
Recap
Caseload and workload
Recap: Workshop on Caseload and Workload
28/05/2026
On 27 and 28 May 2026, Bucharest hosted the CEP Workshop on Caseload and Workload: Supporting Sustainable Probation Through the Human Dimension. With 40 participants representing 18 European jurisdictions, as well as delegates from South Korea, the workshop offered opportunities to exchange knowledge and develop strategies to manage the increasing caseload and workload in probation. Designed as an interactive space, it provided participants – practitioners, managers, researchers and experts – with reflections on current pressures within probation services and it explored practical, evidence‑informed solutions from across Europe.
Recap
Caseload and workload
Recap: Expert group on Caseload and Workload
28/05/2026
On Tuesday 26 May 2026 CEP Expert Group on Caseload and Workload gathered in Bucharest, Romania, for its annual face-to-face meeting, held ahead of the Workshop on Caseload and Workload: Supporting Sustainable Probation Through the Human Dimension. Hosted by the National Probation Directorate, Ministry of Justice, Romania, the meeting was opened by the Deputy Director Diana Mustatea and CEP Secretary General Jana Špero Kamenjarin. They both stressed the importance and relevance of the topic in supporting effective and sustainable approaches to caseload and workload management, contributing to improved outcomes for both staff and service delivery.
Recap
Mental Health
Recap: Third CEP webinar on the new European Mental Health Curriculum
26/05/2026
On 21 May 2026, the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) hosted the webinar “The European Mental Health Curriculum for Probation Officers”, bringing together probation professionals, mental health experts, policymakers, and practitioners from across Europe to present an innovative training initiative aimed at strengthening mental health awareness and competencies within probation services.
New
Probation in Europe
New Vodcast Episode: Anke Spoorendonk on the Role of Probation in Justice Policy
21/05/2026
The 20th episode of Division_Y features Anke Spoorendonk, former State Minister of Justice in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, representing the Danish minority party SSW.
New
Mental Health
CEP publishes European Mental Health Training Curriculum for Probation Staff and launches Pilot Implementation Initiative
19/05/2026
In this article, you can explore the newly published European Mental Health Training Curriculum for Probation Officers, learn about the call for a national pilot implementation, and find details about the upcoming webinar on 21 May presenting the curriculum modules.
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