Previous Article
News
Second World Congress for Community Volunteers supporting offender reintegration
The Second World Congress for Community Volunteers (WCCV) builds on the 1st World Congress for Community Volunteers held as part of the 14th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, in Kyoto, Japan, in 2021. Inspired by the powerful contribution of volunteer Hogoshi in Japan, this Second World Congress for Community Volunteers Supporting Offender Reintegration (the 2nd WCCV) aims to showcase, explore, and advance the work of volunteers around the world.
Led by the Rehabilitation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice of Japan, with a welcome keynote by CEP Ambassador Steve Pitts, Dr. Frank Porporino will moderate an interactive panel-audience discussion on 17 April, during the 6th World Congress (16-18 April), in The Hague (Registration deadline 1st March, Last few days to register!). The event will bring together speakers from countries and regions as diverse as Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Canada, the USA, Kenya, and Europe. The panel will share examples of the many varied and important roles undertaken by volunteers who provide a bridge between statutory services and communities, help “demystify” probation and parole work, and fulfil the vital task of engaging community support in reintegration. Volunteers work as good neighbours to support desistance and human potential and ultimately help build safer societies.
The 2nd WCCV will focus sharply on the needs of volunteers and how we can more strongly support them. Those needs include training and recognition, managing challenges involved in recruiting and sustaining volunteers, in developing and disseminating their work, and in cultivating further public understanding and engagement in reintegration. The panel of distinguished speakers will include:
- Mr. Shoji IMAFUKU Japan
- Mr. Clement Okech – Kenya
- Ms. Karen LEE – Singapore
- Mr. Ruangsak Suwaree – Thailand
- Dr. Andrew Watson – UK
- Ms. Diane Williams – USA
- (Speaker TBC) – Netherlands
- (Speaker TBC) – Canada
To encourage and recognise volunteers worldwide, the 2nd WCCV will propose a Declaration to establish an annual volunteer day to help foster, extend, and sustain the role and contribution of community volunteers globally.
the 2nd WCCV is also aligned with the goals of the CoPPer project, which aims to promote the active engagement of citizens, civil society, and social partners in the social inclusion of people who commit crimes. The CoPPer project seeks to ensure that we all play our role as key guarantors of a common European culture of rule of law, common values, democracy, freedom, security, and prosperity. to learn more about CoPPer, go to the website and one of CEP’s projects.
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
CEP
Newsletter August 2026 out now
27/08/2026
CEP’s latest newsletter is out now! It includes:
- Approaching deadlines for upcoming events (ITSCCS26, 14th EM and DG leadership training) and the Mental Health curriculum pilot)
- Call for European Probation Journal on the topic of Workload in Probation
- EU documents like SPACE II, revised Victims’ Rights directive and so on
- and much more!
New
Caseload and workload
Do you work in probation? We need your voice!
24/08/2026
As part of its long-standing cooperation with research, CEP invites its members to contribute to a special edition of the European Probation Journal on the topic of Workload in Probation.
New
Alternatives to pre-trial detention, Foreign Nationals in Prison and Probation, Gender Equality, Probation in Europe
SPACE II report is now available
24/08/2026
The use of community sanctions and measures that allow individuals to remain in the community – also known as alternatives to imprisonment – continues to grow overall in Europe, although at a moderate pace, according to the latest Council of Europe annual penal statistics on persons under the supervision of probation agencies (2025 SPACE II survey).
New
Victims rights
Adoption of the revised Victims’ Rights Directive and call for evidence on EU strategy on victims’ rights
05/08/2026
The Council of the European Union has formally approved a new directive strengthening the rights of victims of crime across the EU. The updated law improves access to information, support, and protection by introducing an EU-wide victim support helpline (116 006), making it easier to report crimes through digital tools, strengthening safeguards for victims’ personal data, expanding child-friendly support services, improving access to legal aid, and helping ensure that victims receive compensation more quickly.
This directive updates the 2012 EU Victims’ Rights Directive and aims to ensure that victims receive more consistent and effective support across all Member States. Following its publication in the Official Journal, Member States will have 24 months to transpose the new rules into national law. For more information, see the Council of the European Union’s press release: Council greenlights law reinforcing protection of victims’ rights and check out the revised Victims’ Rights.
Probation Journal
juvenile offenders, Probation in Europe
Overview of Probation Procedures for Juveniles and Adults in Albania
22/07/2026
The Albanian Probation Service plays an important role in the implementation of alternative sanctions and measures for both juveniles and adults. Through supervision, assessment, and rehabilitation-oriented interventions, the Service aims to support compliance with court decisions, reduce the risk of reoffending, and promote the successful reintegration of individuals into society.
Community Sanctions and Measures
Nelson Mandela day
18/07/2026
Nelson Mandela Day reminds us that justice is not only about accountability – it is also about hope. Mandela believed in the dignity of every person and in the possibility of change. These principles are at the heart of probation.
Across Europe, probation professionals work every day to support people in taking responsibility for their actions, rebuilding their lives and successfully reintegrating into their communities. By promoting rehabilitation, social inclusion and human dignity, probation helps reduce reoffending and contributes to safer, more resilient societies.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.