Next Article
News
Recap: conference on Drugs and Probation, Stockholm
Ask any participant what he thought of the Stockholm conference on Drugs and Probation, and almost certainly you will get an answer with one of the following words: ‘high-level’, ‘professional’, ‘well-organised’ etc. The congress, held from 23-25 May, also was an excellent platform for networking. Two participants look back at the conference.
Margareta Lindholm, one of the organisers of the conference, says she is very satisfied as well. “15 countries were represented, including the Baltic countries, Croatia, Hungary, so the countries that we wanted to attract”, she looks back. “In the former communist countries probation is still something relatively new. Probation organisations from these countries are very eager to build up an international network and contacts, so they can build their services on the knowledge which already exists. Fortunately, we received a subsidy of the Swedish governmental help organisation with which we could reduce the subscription fee for our Eastern European visitors. Otherwise they just wouldn’t been able to pay it.”
In fact, the conference attracted participants as far as Thailand. “They found out about the conference through the internet”, Margareta Lindholm explains. “Recently Thailand has adopted a Drug Addict Rehabilitation Act, so they were looking for best practices and want to learn from other countries.” So the outreach of the CEP seems not to be confined to the European continent.
During the workshops of the conferences, there was indeed quite a lot of information exchange between the different participants. During the plenary sessions, they could listen to various specialist speakers in the field of probation, and even to a high-ranking policy officer from the EU.
“Personally I thought the most interesting speech was delivered by Fred Nyberg from the University of Uppsala”, Margareta Lindholm comments. “He is a specialist on the reaction of the brain to drugs. Drugs work on the nerves of the brain, causing a sensation of feeling good. Frequent use of drugs damages the nerves, so the sensation of feeling good gets less intense. Nyberg discovered that the nerves in the brain can recover form this damage under the influence of growth hormone. He estimates that 40 percent of all drug users can kick the habit by using growth hormone. Is this a revolutionary break-through in helping people lose their addiction?”
Tamas Szeiberling, probation officer in charge of organising community services here in Pécs county in Hungary, was one of the visitors of the conference. He underlines the importance of networking at the conference. “In my work, I don’t have very much to do with drugs. The main thing of such a meeting for me is to meet probation officers from different countries. I feel that exchanging views with colleagues from other probation services in Europe make a lot of sense. For instance, at a previous congress I have met a probation officer from Zurich canton. Through this contact, I have received a lot of information on the community service in Switzerland and a lot of research material. I am really using this information for my work in Hungary. And now, after the conference in Stockholm, I regularly exchange information with the participant from Croatia.
“I have been to different conferences; not just from CEP, but also from other organisations and bodies. And I can say the Stockholm conference was at a very high level.”
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.
New
Probation outside Europe
Honouring Community Volunteers: CEP and Japan Hogoshi Federation sign new Affiliation Agreement
17/04/2026
On the occasion of the International Day for Community Volunteers (17 April), the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) highlights the significance of community engagement in supporting rehabilitation and social reintegration across the world.
New
Communication and Awareness-Raising
Call to take part in the Yellow Ribbon Run in Prague
16/04/2026
As part of its ongoing cooperation and support for the Yellow Ribbon project, CEP is pleased to invite nominations to support two participants wishing to join the Yellow Ribbon Run, taking place on Thursday, 11 June 2026, in Prague, Czech Republic.
Recap
Probation outside Europe
Day 2 of the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, Indonesia.
16/04/2026
brought further reflection and exchange on the role of probation and community-based approaches in supporting rehabilitation and social inclusion.
CEP President Annie Devos and Vice-President Daniel Danglades continued their daily coverage on Division_Y, sharing key insights from discussions at the Congress.
A central theme highlighted during Day 2 was the importance of focusing on what works in practice, and how effective integration requires active participation in society. As discussed, professional probation practice is not only about systems and structures, but about placing the person at the centre, responding to individual needs, and recognising rehabilitation as a journey within the community.
CEP Vice-President Daniel Danglades also reflected on the role of community-based approaches such as the Japanese Hogoshi system, underlining the value of strong volunteer engagement in supporting reintegration.
The World Congress on Community Volunteers, held as part of the World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, was also highlighted during the day, with the session moderated by CEP Vice-President Daniel Danglades. This further underlines CEP’s commitment to strengthening the role of community volunteers at an international level.
CEP continues to follow the Congress closely and will provide daily updates throughout the week until 17 April.
👉 Watch the English-language video here: https://youtu.be/VqfSwnvJQuw
👉 A German-language reflection from Day 2 by Laura Schneider (Bewährungs- und Gerichtshilfe Baden-Württemberg) is also available on the Referat_Y YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/GOSOogfHleo
More information about the Congress: https://www.wcpp2026.id/
Recap
Probation outside Europe
Day 1 of the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole is underway in Bali, Indonesia
14/04/2026
Representing the Confederation of European Probation CEP, former board member Jo Tein, CEP President Annie Devos and Vice-President Daniel Danglades are on site, sharing insights and reflections from this global gathering of probation and parole professionals.
Recap
Mental Health
Recap: CEP Expert Group on Mental Health in Probation Meets
14/04/2026
On 8–9 April 2026, the Expert Group on Mental Health in Probation convened in Dublin, Ireland, hosted by the Irish Probation Service. The meeting brought together 7 expert members from 7 European jurisdictions, Portugal, Ireland, Türkiye, Germany, Poland, Northern Ireland, England and Spain (Catalonia), alongside distinguished external speakers from international and academic institutions.
Chaired by Ana Cristina Neves, Head of Service at the Directorate-General of Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP), Portugal, the meeting provided a focused and collaborative space to reflect on the group’s progress, consolidate key outputs, and define strategic priorities for the upcoming 2026–2028 mandate.
New
Mental Health
Webinar Announcement: Mental Health in Probation
13/04/2026
We are pleased to invite you to an upcoming CEP webinar on 21st of May titled: “The European Mental Health Curriculum for Probation Officers”
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.