Previous Article
News
Recap: Expert Group meeting on Technology
The Expert Group Meeting on Technology was held from 2 to 3 April 2025 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Building on the progress made over the past year, the meeting focused on recent technological advancements, particularly the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in probation services, and the planned expansion of the Practice Recommendation first published in November 2024.
>>Read the Practice Recommendation here.
The group was welcomed on 2 April by Mr. Besik Meurmishvili, Head of the National Agency for Crime Prevention, Execution of Non-Custodial Measures and Probation, along with First Deputy Mr. Mikheil Zazashvili. During the opening discussions, members emphasized that while technology plays a critical role in probation services, the integration of AI must be approached with great caution.
Participants were introduced to a range of technologies used by the National Agency, including an in-house developed risk assessment tool, victim-offender mediation programs, and PROBBOX. Later, the group visited PROBBOX and explored the broader concept of the public hall—an integrated service center offering various government services such as passport renewal.
On Thursday, 4 April, discussions continued with a focus on AI. A presentation from England and Wales shared insights and experiences in enhancing probation technologies with AI in practical settings. In 2024, the Expert Group completed the initial draft of the Practice Recommendation, a tool designed to help jurisdictions address key considerations before implementing new technologies, undertaking digitalization, or adopting hybrid work models. It includes best practices and a practical checklist to support organizations in these efforts.
In 2025, the group initiated plans to expand the Practice Recommendation, with Version 2 expected to be released in the second half of the year.
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.
Recap
Framework Decisions
Recap: annual meeting of the Expert Network on Framework Decisions 829 and 947
09/11/2026
On Thursday 5 November an annual meeting of the Expert Network on Framework Decisions 829 and 947 took place online. Bringing together 20 participants from 12 EU jurisdictions including representatives of the Academy of European Law and European Judicial Network, the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss current implementation challenges and identify priorities for enhancing cross-border cooperation in the application of the two Framework Decisions.
New
Education and Training, Probation in Europe
Justice programme: the judicial training call is open for applications!
09/11/2026
Are you ready to help address the training needs of justice professionals from different EU countries in the fields of civil law, criminal law and fundamental rights? This call supports cross-border training projects contributing to the effective and consistent application of EU law. In line with the new European Judicial Training Strategy, the call also supports the digitalisation of justice. Don’t miss this opportunity! Apply by 4 March 2027, 17:00 Brussels time.
Recap
CEP Board, Foreign Nationals in Prison and Probation, Probation in Europe
CEP at the 16th Plenary Meeting of the Council for Penological Co-operation
06/11/2026
From 3 to 5 November 2026, representatives of the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) participated in the 16th Plenary Meeting of the Council for Penological Co-operation (PC-CP).
New
CEP
Newsletter October 2026 out now
29/10/2026
CEP’s latest newsletter is out now! It includes:
- Deadline approaching for the Workshop on Technology and Alternatives to Detention
- Recap of the 14th EM and CEP Excellence Leadership Training
- New publications from Expert Groups on Technology and Expert Group on Violent Extremism
- Call for Proposals: Evaluation of CEP Expert Groups
- Engaging with Research – a new section in our newsletter
- and much more!
New
Violent Extremism
Understanding Youth Radicalisation: What Can Probation Services Do? | New Report from CEP’s Expert Group
27/10/2026
In recent decades, the violent radicalisation of juveniles and young adults has become a pressing concern for policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and communities worldwide. While considerable attention has been devoted to psychological vulnerabilities, socio-economic marginalisation, and community-level influences, the broader context in which violent radicalisation develops is often overlooked. At the same time, the increasing involvement of young people in violent extremist offences highlights the urgent need for effective prevention efforts. Addressing youth radicalisation has become a complex and evolving challenge for families, educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement agencies, probation services, and security authorities.
Recap
Probation in Europe
Reflections on the European Society of Criminology Conference 2026 | From Criminological Research to Probation Practice
26/10/2026
At CEP, we are fascinated by research from across Europe and beyond, and by helping it reach the people who can use it. Ruth Armstrong, CEP Research and Policy Officer, went to the 26th Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology (EuroCrim 2026 – Working Group on Community Sanctions and Measures) that took place in Warsaw, Poland, from 9–12 September 2026.
Against a backdrop of overcrowded prisons and net-widening (with ever more people drawn into supervision), three questions kept coming up in the research: how time shapes justice, what we mean by success, and how we define harm.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.