On April 3rd and 4th, the Expert Group on Technology gathered in Riga, Latvia.
two members are not present in the picture.
On the first day, discussions revolved around recent developments in technology and digitalization within respective jurisdictions. Members of the group were also given the opportunity to tour the premises of the State Probation Service of Latvia. During this visit, they gained insights into the case management system utilized and developed by the SPL, as well as the e-learning system designed for training Latvian probation specialists. Presentations were delivered by Emīls Kālis, Analyzer of Business Processes at SPS, and Dace Balančonoka, Head of the Division of Trainings and Research.
On the second day, the group proceeded with the ongoing work of drafting practice recommendations regarding technologies in probation. The document aims to support jurisdictions to reflect upon certain issues before developing and using technology, undergoing digitalisation or considering hybrid working models and it is to be presented during the Webinar on Technology (4th series) that will take place on 19 September 2024.
The expert group on technology has 7 group members representing Latvia, Finland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales, Croatia, Georgia and Austria. During the meeting in Latvia, two colleagues representing Northern Ireland and Austria could not be present. A new member nominated by Croatian Probation Service attended the meeting. A call for nominations on the 8th member of the expert group is to be open in the coming weeks.
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.
Interventions Alliance has published a new evaluation of a Hub coordinated on behalf of police forces in the south of England, focused on tackling violence against women and children through a whole family approach. The Hub supports victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse and works across policing, health and social services.
New updates from the European Commission highlight key priorities for judicial training in Europe, alongside new tools supporting transparency and access to data.
Today, 25 November, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. It is a global reminder, recognised by UNESCO and the wider international community, of the urgent need to prevent violence, support those affected by it, and strengthen collective action. The day also opens the 16 Days of Activism, a worldwide campaign that calls for sustained engagement to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
From 18-20 November 2025, 15th Plenary Meeting of the Council for Penological Co-operation took part in Council of Europe, Strasbourg. CEP was represented by President Annie Devos, Vice-Presidents Danijela Mrhar Prelic (PC-CP member) and Daniel Danglades and Secretary General Jana Spero Kamenjarin.
The CEP Expert Group on Mental Health met on 19 November 2025 to continue its work on developing a European mental health training curriculum for probation officers. Since last year, the group has been working intensively and meticulously to produce a solid first version of the curriculum.
CEP has released the first cross-European study examining stress, burnout, and morale among probation staff. The report was produced by Professor Charlie Brooker, Professor Karen Tocque, Professor Ioan Durnescu and Liliana Lupsica, whose combined expertise in public health, criminology, and organisational analysis provides an important contribution to our understanding of well-being in probation work.
