This exhibition is a collaboration between the Probation Service in England and Wales and Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum, located in Cheshire.
The Probation Service traces its origins back to the late nineteenth century when Frederic Rainer, a printer and philanthropist from Hertfordshire, who was also a volunteer with the Church of England Temperance Society, expressed concern regarding the lack of support for individuals appearing before the courts. He generously donated five shillings towards a fund aimed at practical rescue work within the police courts.
The exhibition delves into the beliefs of the founders and their significant contributions in the police courts, as well as the establishment of the precursors to approved premises and community payback schemes, all the way to the evolution of the Probation Service up to the present day. The exhibition also provides insight into the opportunities that offenders had to transform their lives, both during the Victorian era and in more recent times.
The exhibition features informational panels and artefacts, including ledgers dating back to the 1920s and 40s.
This exhibition will tour various venues across England and Wales from August 2023 until the summer of 2024, narrating the history of the Probation Service from its inception to the present day. For the latest updates about the exhibition and detailed venue information, please follow this link: Root & Branch – How Five Shillings, Faith and Belief Inspired the Beginning of the Probation Service
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.
