Skip to content

News

Recap: International Training Course on Core Correctional Skills

From 3rd to 7th of October 21 probation professionals, managers and practitioners, from 9 different European jurisdictions participated at the 2nd edition of the International Training Course on Core Correctional Skills at the Centre for Legal Studies and Specialized Training, in Barcelona – Catalonia.

Willem van der Brugge, Marc Cerón, Prof. Ioan Durnescu and Prof. Araceli Muñoz
Visit to University of Barcelona

The one-week International Training School on Core Correctional Skills was able to refresh and update the core skills of the more experienced correctional staff while providing the newcomers with a solid and cutting-edge starting point.
During this week, core correctional skills (such as relationship skills, pro-social modeling, problem-solving, motivational interviewing and cognitive restructuring) were developed taking into account the basics but also the most up-to-date and evidence-based practices. For instance, building up the working alliance covered issues such as clarifying the role or socializing into the role, empathy, dealing with resistance and so on but was also looked into how to deal with power imbalance, how to maximize choices, how to ensure co-production and how to maintain and develop the working alliance.

As a novelty, this edition also tackled the issue of resilience and burnout as fast changes that took place in the last few years placed huge pressure on correctional staff challenging, therefore, their coping skills.

Guests such as prof. Fergus McNeill, prof. Joanna Clarke and Joseph Arvidson and others shared their knowledge and experience while discovering new insights into modern supervision practice and resilience.

Prof. Fergus McNeill

 

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

Uncategorized

Help Us Improve the CEP Website

07/01/2026

At Confederation of European Probation (CEP), we want to make sure our website continues to support our mission and the work of our community in the best possible way.

We are inviting you to take part in a short survey that takes around six minutes. Your feedback will help us understand what is working well and where the website can be improved.

New

Prison

From Challenges to Solutions: Mapping European Strategies on Prison Overcrowding

06/01/2026

EuroPris has published a new report titled From Challenges to Solutions: Mapping European Strategies on Prison Overcrowding. The report provides an overview of how prison administrations across Europe are addressing prison overcrowding and their responses to it.

The mapping exercise was conducted between April and September 2025. It is based on structured survey responses from 33 national and regional prison administrations, representing approximately 80% of EuroPris members. The findings are complemented by expert interviews and institutional input.

New

Probation in Europe

New calls for proposals under the CERV and Justice programmes!

05/01/2026

Discover the first 2026 calls and do not miss the opportunity to apply.

>> Click here to view the calls.

Reading corner

Probation in Europe

The Routledge Handbook of European Penology

05/01/2026

The Routledge Handbook of European Penology, published by Routledge. This comprehensive volume has been edited by Sonja Snacken, Gaëtan Cliquennois, Ioan Durnescu, Diete Humblet and Elena Larrauri.

New

Domestic violence, Gender-based violence

Practitioner guidance for supporting neurodivergent clients in domestic abuse work

23/12/2025

A new practitioner guide is currently being piloted across the UK that aims to support professionals working with neurodivergent clients for more inclusive domestic abuse perpetrator interventions. The guide has been co developed for domestic abuse perpetrator intervention practitioners who work with neurodivergent clients, translating research findings into practical guidance for day to day practice.

New

Probation in Europe

New Vodcast Episode: Christoph Koss on Probation and Parole in Austria

22/12/2025

The 17th episode of Division_Y features Christoph Koss, Director of the NEUSTART Association for Probation and Parole, Restorative Justice, and Social Work in Austria.

Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!