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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.

Probation Journal

Uncategorized

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.

New

Calls and funding oppertunities

European Commission | Call for proposals to support transnational projects in the fields of e-Justice, victims’ rights, and procedural rights.

02/07/2026

The European Commission has launched a new call for proposals to support transnational projects in the fields of e-Justice, victims’ rights, and procedural rights.

With a total budget of €9.4 million, the call aims to fund projects that contribute to the digitalisation and effectiveness of justice systems, strengthen the protection of victims, and promote access to justice and judicial cooperation across Europe.

 

New

Education and Training

Launch of 40 e-Capsules: Training on EU Law for Justice Professionals

29/06/2026

The European Judicial Training Team of the European Commission is pleased to announce the launch of 40 e-capsules (each available in all EU languages) within civil law, criminal law and fundamental rights.

 

New

CEP

Delegation from Azerbaijan visits CEP Office in Utrecht

25/06/2026

On 23 June, a delegation from Azerbaijan visited the CEP office in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The delegation included representatives of the Probation Service, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a judge of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan and representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Netherlands. The visit to the CEP office was part of a broader learning programme with Reclassering Nederland.

New

CEP

Newsletter June 2026 out now

25/06/2026

CEP’s latest newsletter is out now! It includes:

  • Recap of the Workshop on Caseload and Workload
  • Save the date: Workshop on Technology and Alternatives to Detention
  • New publications and outputs from Expert Groups
  • Call for a new Expert Group on Overcrowding and Net-Widening
  • Call for participation in DG training
  • and much more!

. >> Read here

>>Read previous newsletters

New

CEP, Directors General Meetings

CEP Call for Applications – Training Opportunity for Directors General 

24/06/2026

CEP is seeking 7 applications for an upcoming training programme, CEP Leadership Excellence Training, designed for a small group of Directors General or Deputy Directors General representing CEP member organisations. This training will take place on 19-21 October 2026, Zagreb, Croatia.

 

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