Previous Article
News
Social Work at Probation and Prison services in Catalonia
XIV Conference on Probation and Prison Social Work. The conference was held on April 2024 at the Centre of Legal Studies and Specialised Training (CEJFE), of the Department of Justice i Catalonia, to present the latest developments in the context of social work at Prison and Probation settings.
The Deputy Director General of Training and Research (CEJFE), and the Director General of Penitentiary Affairs of the Secretariat of Penal Measures and Victim Attention welcomed the event, and highlighted the work of social workers and their three essential pillars: ‘the self-healing of professionals’, ‘the need for knowledge and recognition of the collective and their work’ and the urgency of ‘asserting themselves’.
They were followed by the head of social work programmes at the Penitentiary Centre for Women, moderator of the Community of Practice (CoP); and other members of the CoP, who were in charge of the presentation of the day and new proposals.
The first round table on ‘Fundamental reflections and some claims’, was formed by the Governing Board of the Official College of Social Work of Catalonia, and the Referent of the Community Social Work Committee of the College.
The second roundtable, focused on ‘Future challenges of the Prison and Social Services in Catalonia’, composed by the head of Open Prisons and Social Services, accompanied by a social worker at Centre Ponent (Lleida), who highlighted the importance of attending the family and social network though the prison and probation process; the Head of Service of the Social Services (Barcelona), who emphasized the relevance of the bond and boundaries within support and supervision process; the Head of the Criminal Social Services Section in Tarragona, who drawn on resources and spaces to develop the work; and Head of the Criminal Social Services Section in Girona, who focused on conditional licence and the significance of social workers in this context.
The conference closed with the presentation of the video ‘Prison and Probation Social work’, which has been developed to illustrate the work of this professionals at the prison and probation settings, in order to recognise their intervention, with service users, their families and the wider community.
The video can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm0_WxqPdQU (video with subtitles in English)
Social Work at Probation and Prison services in Catalonia
If you are interested in learning more about the Social Work at Prison and Probation services in Catalonia, this document offers an overview of its main characteristics, altogether with the latest developments form the Community of Practice (CoP), created to improve and innovate this service with professionals of the field.
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 Board
Interview with new CEP board member Žilvinas Miliauskas
17/03/2026
During the General Assembly in Austria, a new CEP Board got elected for the upcoming three years. In the coming weeks we will publish interviews with all newly-elected board members where they will share information on their professional background, how they would like to contribute, what challenges lie ahead and many more.
Enjoy reading!
Recap
Violent Extremism
Recap: Expert Group meeting on Violent Extremism
16/03/2026
On 12–13 March 2026, the Expert Group on Violent Extremism convened for an in‑person meeting in Bucharest, Romania. Hosted at the University of Bucharest, the meeting brought together practitioners and representatives from across Europe to finalise the overview of best practices for preventive interventions targeting juveniles and young adults up to the age of 26 under probation. Building on the extensive discussions and progress made in 2025, the group worked collaboratively to bring the document to completion.
Recap
Electronic monitoring
Recap: CEP Expert Group meeting at ATGV Antalya
12/03/2026
The CEP Expert Group on Electronic Monitoring, along with representatives of the CEP Office led by Mr. Daniel Danglades, CEP Vice-President, visited the Education and Social Facility of the Ministry of Justice in Türkiye – ATGV Antalya. The host country was represented by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Director General Mr. Fatih Güngör, Head of the Turkish Probation Department Dr. Hüseyin Şık, Member of the CEP EM Expert Group Ms. Elçin Kilecioğlu, as well as the Director and representatives of the ATGV facility, and officials from the courts, prosecution, and probation services in Antalya.
Recap
Education and Training
Recap: CEP Expert Network on Education and Training in Probation meets with the European Commission to discuss the EU Judicial Training Strategy
11/03/2026
On 11 March 2026, the CEP Expert Network on Education and Training in Probation met online with more than 20 participants from Belgium, Denmark, Sweeden, France, Romania, Croatia, Catalonia, Poland, United Kingdom and Türkiye to exchange views with the European Commission on the newly adopted EU Judicial Training Strategy 2025–2030.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for representatives of probation training institutions across Europe to engage directly with European Commission officials and discuss how the strategy may impact the training of probation and prison staff in the coming years.
Probation Journal
Women, youth
Understanding the needs of girls and young women in youth justice
10/03/2026
New research highlights the underlying needs that influence girls’ and young women’s contact with youth justice systems and calls for more gender responsive approaches in policy and practice. Drawing on a review of recent studies, the authors identify several factors shaping girls’ pathways into the justice system, including persistent abuse, trauma, gendered expectations, and systemic failures. Girls involved in youth justice are often affected by multiple forms of victimisation, such as sexual abuse, neglect, and domestic violence, with experiences frequently beginning in early childhood.
New
CEP Board
Interview with new CEP board member Ian Barrow
09/03/2026
During the General Assembly in Austria, a new CEP Board got elected for the upcoming three years. In the coming weeks we will publish interviews with all newly-elected board members where they will share information on their professional background, how they would like to contribute, what challenges lie ahead and many more.
Enjoy reading!
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.