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Projects

WayOut

The WayOut project – Integrated Exit Programme for Prisons and Probation – is fundamentally aimed at building a common framework to evaluate exit programmes along with the development of an innovative and integrated programme based on proven effectiveness approaches. Ultimately the project will improve and facilitate the implementation of exit programmes across the criminal justice system, namely in prison and probation settings. Hence, this project responds to one of the European Union’s security concerns: the problem of radicalisation leading to violent extremism.  The official project website can be opened via this link.

Objectives

  • To provide a detailed account of the current state of the art in deradicalisation research and other relevant disciplines related to desistance and rehabilitation;
  • To develop a common framework to systematically evaluate exit programmes;
  • To create an integrated programme based on approaches with proven effectiveness;
  • To develop a training course on exit strategies to practitioners;
  • To raise awareness among law enforcement officials about the benefits of implementing such programmes.

Expected outcomes

  • An improved and facilitated implementation of exit programmes that are based on approaches with proven effectiveness;
  • An increased awareness and understanding by the criminal justice professionals (judiciary, prisons, probation, and community organisations) about exit programmes;
  • An improved knowledge about the efficacy of exit programmes and of what works’;
  • A more capable prison staff to deal with inmates at risk of radicalisation or who are already radicalised;
  • Prisons and probation systems will implement the necessary and appropriate tools to analyse existing networks, collect information and develop communication processes between different organisations: community-prison-probation-police-intelligence services;
  • A better understanding of what works in the field of exit strategies at an European level;
  • The lessons learned from the project will feed into the European debate and inform policymakers, obtaining the confidence of judges, prosecutors and all those responsible for adopting these strategies, as well as the community at large.

Promoter

Université Toulouse – Jean Jaurès, France

Partners

IPS_Innovative Prison Systems (Qualify Just – IT Solutions and Consulting Ltd), Portugal BSAFE LAB of UBI University, Portugal AVANS University of Applied Sciences – Centre of Expertise for Public Safety and Criminal Justice, The Netherlands De Federale Overheidsdienst Justitie – Le Service Public Federal Justice, Belgium Bremen Senate of Justice and Constitution, Germany Violence Prevention Network EV, Germany

Associated partners

CEP – Confederation of European Probation
EuroPris – European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services

Funding

Home Affairs – European Commission Internal Security Fund

Timeframe

01/12/2018 – 01/3/2021

Partner organisations

Our knowledge of Violent Extremism

The dangers caused by violent extremism in European countries are paramount concerns of the criminal justice system. Prison and probation programs are two working fields where radicalisation, as well as deradicalisation meet. It is therefore important that prison and probation programs play an effective role in preventing violent extremism and raising knowledge regarding (de) radicalisation.

Related News

Check out the latest news and updates on this project’s focus area.

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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.

 

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Education and Training

The Judicial Training Dashboard

14/01/2026

The European Training Platform (ETP) is a search tool for justice professionals. You can find self-learning materials on a great variety of EU law practice areas and related topics, as well as links to training providers’ homepages and course catalogues.

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Technology

Communication on DigitalJustice@2030

13/01/2026

The EU’s competitiveness will increasingly depend on the digitalisation of all sectors, which will drive investment. Digitalisation and the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) will be essential to the ability of public authorities to deliver high-quality public services, notably also in the field of justice. Europe’s Digital Decade is underway with the ambition that by 2030 the EU has all key public services available online. The ultimate aim will be to increase the efficiency of public services by making them digital by default, stimulating productivity.

New

Alternatives to pre-trial detention, CEP Events

Webinar on Alternatives to Detention – CEP Webinar Series 2026

13/01/2026

CEP is pleased to invite you to the first webinar in the CEP Webinar Series 2026, taking place on Thursday, 22 January 2026, at 14:00 CET. This webinar will introduce a unique programme developed by the Meuse Probation Service, which was awarded the CEP Award 2025 in the category of Rehabilitation and Social Inclusion (The Sue Hall Award).

New

Alternatives to pre-trial detention, CEP Events

CEP Webinar Series 2026

12/01/2026

In 2026 CEP launches a series of short webinars that will take place every third Thursday of January, March, May and November.

We sincerely invite all probation practitioners, social workers, managers, policy makers, researchers, students as well as colleagues from partners organisations to join and share your knowledge with us.

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Uncategorized

Help Us Improve the CEP Website

07/01/2026

At Confederation of European Probation (CEP), we want to make sure our website continues to support our mission and the work of our community in the best possible way.

We are inviting you to take part in a short survey that takes around six minutes. Your feedback will help us understand what is working well and where the website can be improved.

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