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Recap: Webinar on Volunteers
On 16 May 2024, the third Webinar on Volunteers has welcomed participants from across Europe and world.
Katrin Koller working with the NeuStart, Austria, presented on the work of volunteers within the probation service. Aged from 25 to 70, there are around 1000 voluntary probation officers coming from all areas of life responsible for 30% of the probation clients (in majority of cases low-risk) with a maximum caseload of 5 clients. As addition to approx. 800 (professional) probation officers this brings benefits to both the probation service as well as voluntary probation officers. The well-functioning Austrian system that, among others, opens better access to and knowledge of regional resources, brings cost reduction and relief for professional probation officers, has gained a positive attention from politicians and government.
The Cooperation to Promote a European Volunteering Programme in Probation Services (CoPPer project) where CEP is a project leader cooperating closely with 6 other partner organizations from The Netherlands, Portugal, Ireland and Romania was presented by Melinda Lewis from the Dutch Probation Service. Following up on the shared vision of social inclusion, having in mind that reintegration is a two-way street and volunteering is complementary, Melinda introduced the project with its already achieved outcomes – Evidence Review of Volunteering in Probation -, further elaborating on the competency framework, skills and knowledge of volunteers. By supporting strengths and talents of volunteers, providing them with guidelines, training and resources, professional volunteers may bring a variety of benefits to the work of probation services and to its clients.
Presentations
1) Katrin Koller, Neustart, Austria – Volunteer Probation Service in Austria
2) Melinda Lewis, Probation Service, The Netherlands – CoPPer project
Did you not manage to join the other webinars?
Passed webinars
Read the recap and rewatch the webinars
Recap: Webinar on Alternatives to Detention
Recap: Webinar on Violent Extremism
Upcoming webinars
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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.
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As part of its ongoing cooperation and support for the Yellow Ribbon project, CEP is pleased to invite nominations to support two participants wishing to join the Yellow Ribbon Run, taking place on Thursday, 11 June 2026, in Prague, Czech Republic.
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Day 2 of the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, Indonesia.
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brought further reflection and exchange on the role of probation and community-based approaches in supporting rehabilitation and social inclusion.
CEP President Annie Devos and Vice-President Daniel Danglades continued their daily coverage on Division_Y, sharing key insights from discussions at the Congress.
A central theme highlighted during Day 2 was the importance of focusing on what works in practice, and how effective integration requires active participation in society. As discussed, professional probation practice is not only about systems and structures, but about placing the person at the centre, responding to individual needs, and recognising rehabilitation as a journey within the community.
CEP Vice-President Daniel Danglades also reflected on the role of community-based approaches such as the Japanese Hogoshi system, underlining the value of strong volunteer engagement in supporting reintegration.
The World Congress on Community Volunteers, held as part of the World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, was also highlighted during the day, with the session moderated by CEP Vice-President Daniel Danglades. This further underlines CEP’s commitment to strengthening the role of community volunteers at an international level.
CEP continues to follow the Congress closely and will provide daily updates throughout the week until 17 April.
👉 Watch the English-language video here: https://youtu.be/VqfSwnvJQuw
👉 A German-language reflection from Day 2 by Laura Schneider (Bewährungs- und Gerichtshilfe Baden-Württemberg) is also available on the Referat_Y YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/GOSOogfHleo
More information about the Congress: https://www.wcpp2026.id/
Recap
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Chaired by Ana Cristina Neves, Head of Service at the Directorate-General of Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP), Portugal, the meeting provided a focused and collaborative space to reflect on the group’s progress, consolidate key outputs, and define strategic priorities for the upcoming 2026–2028 mandate.
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Bringing together more than 100 member organisations across 42 countries and 59 jurisdictions, CEP continued to serve as a central platform for knowledge exchange, professional development, and collaboration within the European criminal justice field.
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