News
Recap: Expert Workshop on Framework Decision 2008/947/JHA and 2009/829/JHA
The Expert Workshop held on September 10–11, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium, brought together senior managers, probation practitioners, criminal justice professionals such as lawyers and prosecutors from across Europe as well as representatives of the European Commission, Academy of European Law and European Judicial Network to discuss the advancements in the implementation of Framework Decisions 2008/947/JHA and 2009/829/JHA. Hosted at the Houses of Justice, the CEP Expert Workshop served as a dynamic platform for mutual learning, collaboration, and strategic planning.
The programme covered a broad spectrum of expertise and experience taking into account national, cross-border experience combining practitioner-level insights and operational tools with systemic recommendations and institutional coordination. Gerry McNally and Mirka Jakesova (CEP) presented shared findings from the 9th Round of Mutual Evaluation and preliminary findings of CEP survey. Chiara Fiorillo from the DG Justice and Consumers shared updates and priorities from the European Commission. Presentations from the Netherlands, Latvia, and Romania illustrated diverse experiences with implementing the Framework Decisions, including successes and challenges while Irish representatives showcased their solution-oriented approaches. The updates from EJN as well as updates on ERA and EMRPO projects were shared by Natalia Ratajczak, Ramin Farinpour and Daniel Danglades.
Experts from Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Latvia, and Spain explored trust-building across jurisdictions, emphasizing cultural, legal, and operational nuances in the interactive roundtable. Solution-oriented approach was addressed in the group sessions with participants drafting the action plan on successful implementation of Framework Decisions within their respective organisations. Last but not least, CEP presented newly updated flyer and guide for Framework Decisions.
The workshop underscored the importance of mutual trust, shared learning, and coordinated implementation of EU justice policies. Participants left with renewed commitment and actionable insights to enhance cross-border probation and judicial cooperation.
Presentations:
- Messages from the 9th Round of Mutual Evaluation and CEP survey results / Gerry McNally, University of Cork, Ireland and Mirka Jakesova, CEP, Czech Republic
- European Judicial Network update / Natalia Ratajczak, EJN Secretariat, The Netherlands
- Case Netherlands – How it started? / Melinda Lewis, Dutch Probation Service, The Netherlands
- Case Latvia – How it works? / Eva Jurčenko, State Probation Service of Latvia
- Case Romania – Reason of Refusal / Bogdan Popa, Arad Probation Office, Romania
- Framework Decisions solution oriented – Irish approach / Sile Loughry, Probation Service, Ireland and Leah McCormack, Parole Board, Ireland
- ERA: project update / Ramin Farinpour, ERA, Germany
- EMRPO: project update / Daniel Danglades, Prison and Probation Service, France
Report to be downloaded here.
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.