Previous Article
News
The establishment of a new probation system: the Italian Probation Service
A lot has changed for the Italian Probation Service in the last two years. In 2015, they were separated from the Prison Service and combined into an entirely new department together with the Juvenile Justice and Community department. They did not only have to move all staff and material recourses, but a whole new organisational structure had to be developed. Ms. Lucia Castellano, Director General of this newly created department, tells us about the big developments that took place.
The Italian Probation Service had an important reasons for the reformation of their probation system: “We wanted to improve the probation system, start with implementing community sanctions and measures and of course reduce the amount of offenders in prison”, says Ms. Castellano. “We are committed to support and apply the legislative reforms, we will bring our country up to European standards concerning probation.”
Changes
The entire department had to get used to the organisational changes that have been implemented in the last two years. “The main issue for the probation officers was that they had to shift from case management on individual basis to regional management of interventions both in juvenile and adult justice”.
The reformation also created space for a lot of new professions in the probation department, such as psychologists, cultural mediators or volunteers. They work in co-operation with the probation officers both from juvenile and adult justice.
Alternative sanctions
The Italian government gives particular attention to the execution of sentences in the community, not only by adjusting legislation, but also by concrete actions.
In 2014, a law was issued that established the possibility to impose alternative sanctions for offenders. “Such measures were already provided for juveniles since 1988. This law is an important part of the establishment of the Juvenile and Probation department.”
Since the issuing of the law the number of alternative measures to detention grew. “In 2015 39.274 offenders were sentenced alternative sanctions, in 2017 this number raised to 46.778. The introduction of alternative sanctions and measures net-widened the Italian criminal justice system.”
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.
Probation in Europe
New Vodcast Episode: Leo Tigges on Probation Capacity Building
09/10/2025
The 15th episode of Division_Y features Leo Tigges, a freelancing consultant and former Secretary General of the Confederation of European Probation (CEP).
In this episode, host Jo Tein (CEP board member) speaks with Leo about his professional journey and his co-authored publication with Steve Pitts on Probation Capacity Building. The discussion highlights international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategies for strengthening probation systems across Europe.
▶️ Watch the full interview (English with German subtitles) below
New
Framework Decisions
CEP Updates Framework Decision 947 Guides
06/10/2025
CEP has released updated versions of its guides for persons under probation supervision and for probation staff, reflecting its continued commitment to cross-border cooperation in criminal justice. These revisions aim to promote broader use of Framework Decision 947, which facilitates the mutual recognition of probation measures and alternative sanctions across EU member states.
The guides are to be found here.
Recap
ITSCCS
Building Core Skills, Building Connections: V edition of the ITSCCS 2025 in Barcelona
03/10/2025
Barcelona was the stage for the CEP International Training School on Core Correctional Skills (ITSCCS) 2025, held from 29 September to 3 October. Over five days, the Centre d’Estudis Jurídics i Formació Especialitzada became a hub for practitioners eager to sharpen the practical tools that define effective work in the criminal justice field.
Recap
Partners
CEP participated at the 14th Annual General Meeting of EuroPris
01/10/2025
On 23 September 2025, in Krakow, Poland, Jana Spero Kamenjarin, CEP Secretary General, participated in the 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of EuroPris.
Recap
CEP Board, Probation in Europe
30th Council of Europe CDPPS Conference: Can we move away from the overuse of penal sanctions?
01/10/2025
On 24–25 September 2025, Kraków, Poland, hosted the 30th Council of Europe Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services (CDPPS) under the theme “Can we move away from the overuse of penal sanctions?”. The event gathered high-level participants — Directors General from member and observer states and representatives of the supporting organisations.
Recap
Probation outside Europe
Governance Oversight and Accountability Mechanisms in Probation and Parole: Compare and Contrast Europe and USA
19/09/2025
Confederation of European Probation (CEP) and American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) organized an insightful webinar that introduced the theme “Governance oversight and accountability mechanisms in Probation and Parole. Compare and contrast Europe and USA”. This event took place on Thursday, 18 September 2025.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.