Previous Article
News
Recap: Expert Group on Violent Extremism welcomes new members
On Tuesday 17 October 2023, members of the Expert Group on Violent Extremism had their annual meeting to discuss the latest developments and changes as well as the current state of play in their jurisdictions. The meeting that welcomed three new members from France, Finland and Switzerland took place online.
Expert Group on Violent Extremism is one of the groups that have been working together for more than 7 years. The last meeting which took place in March 2023 in Cologne, Germany, identified the issues that have been crucial and high on the agenda of individual jurisdictions – e.g. fragmentation of the VE scene, countries with no experience working with VE offenders vs countries with a large number of prisoners waiting for their release, online radicalisation and recruitment, training of staff at different stages of the educational process, the need to work with the community, families, schools, etc. This meeting confirmed that the ever-changing landscape of radicalisation and violent extremism as well as polarisation is high on the agenda of probation agencies as well as others working in the criminal justice field. Current situation e.g. general elections in EU MS with populist parties winning the larger share, ongoing war in Ukraine, Israel-Hamas war that again increased the threat of terrorist attacks with many countries tightening security and preventative measures, online radicalisation and efforts to recruit new members as well as lack of direct experience working with VE offenders in each jurisdiction varies, yet the threat posed by it calls for probation agencies to work towards initiating and implementing training programs for its staff, having a specialized staff for working with VE offenders, increased multi-agency cooperation and capacities for each jurisdiction etc.
The members of the expert group voted for a new chair for the upcoming two-year period. Mr. Daniel Wolter from DBH – Fachverband für Soziale Arbeit, Strafrecht und Kriminalpolitik e.V., Germany, will take up this role. The group that currently has members representing Sweden, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Romania, and Germany has welcomed new members from France, Finland and Switzerland. The action (work) plan for 2024-2026 will be developed and discussed during the upcoming face-to-face meeting that is scheduled to take place in March 2024.
During the meeting two presentations were delivered: the first one by Prof. Ioan Durnescu from the University of Bucharest on the overview of programs dedicated to deradicalisation and the second one by Ms. Aoife Gallagher and Mr. Ciaran O’Connor from the Insitute for Strategic Dialogue on the research that had been carried out in Ireland on disinformation and its landscape in relation to VE.
Presentation:
European overview of the programmes dedicated to deradicalisation.
Report:
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
Partners
Memorandum of Understanding Signed Between CEP and RESCALED
11/12/2025
On 10 December 2025, at the CEP Headquarters in Utrecht, CEP and RESCALED signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The MoU was signed by Rogier Elshout, Chair of Rescaled and Jana Špero Kamenjarin, CEP Secretary General, with the signing ceremony attended by Helen De Vos, Rescaled Executive Director and Daniel Danglades, CEP Vice-President.
Through this partnership, both organizations will work together to develop joint activities, exchange expertise, and support initiatives that advance their shared objectives.
This MoU reflects a commitment to transparent communication and the creation of new opportunities for joint projects and broader community impact.
New
Human rights and ethics
10 December – Human Rights Day
10/12/2025
CEP champions human rights because protecting dignity, fairness and equality is at the heart of effective probation. On 10 December, Human Rights Day, CEP celebrates the principle that everyone deserves respect and justice. Across Europe, CEP promotes social inclusion and supports the reintegration of people in contact with the criminal justice system. CEP strengthens community-based alternatives to imprisonment that reduce reoffending and build safer societies, advances professional and ethical probation practice, and connects practitioners, policymakers and researchers to share knowledge and promote humane justice. For CEP, justice is not only about punishment but also about opportunity, rehabilitation and respect for all.
Recap
CEP Events
Recap: First face-to-face meeting of the Expert Group Chairs
10/12/2025
On 9 December 2025, the CEP Office in Utrecht hosted the first face-to-face meeting of the Expert Group Chairs. The purpose of this meeting was to reintroduce the work of the Expert Groups and explore connections between work plans, opportunities for cooperation, and areas of common interest.
Recap
Framework Decisions
Recap: ERA seminar “Framework Decisions 2008/947/JHA and 2009/829/JHA and their Impact on Alternatives in the EU”
09/12/2025
On 4–5 December 2025, CEP representatives Gerry McNally, Danijela Mrhar Prelić and Pia Andersson attended the ERA seminar “Framework Decisions 2008/947/JHA and 2009/829/JHA and their Impact on Alternatives in the EU” in Vilnius.
Recap
Probation in Europe, Probation outside Europe
20th anniversary of Probation Service in Türkiye
08/12/2025
CEP had the privilege of participating in the Turkish Probation System 20th Year International Congress, marking the 20th anniversary of the Probation Service in Türkiye, held from 1–3 December 2025 at ATGV in Antalya.
Recap
CEP-Europris, Probation in Europe
Recap of CEP and EuroPris Meeting with Catalan Authorities
04/12/2025
On 3 December, on the occasion of the joint CEP and EuroPris Workshop on Transition from Prison to Probation held at the Centre for Legal Studies and Judicial Training (CEJFE) in Barcelona, representatives from both international organisations met with senior officials from the Catalan Ministry of Justice to present their current work, reflect on ongoing cooperation, and explore shared priorities for future collaboration.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.