Previous Article
News
TPVR: What Works in preventing Violent Radicalisation
In a not so distant past, terrorist attacks were committed by criminals coming into a county, and then leaving it again after they have done their job. The London Bombings on 7th July 2007, however, were committed by radicalized nationals feeling alienated and deprived in their own society. In the aftermath of these attacks Criminal Justice agencies were presented with the situation that a number of people convicted under Terrorist Legislation would receive prison sentences of less than a few years before release on license into the community. In order to deal with this group of offenders, London Probation Trust started the European project Towards Preventing Violent Radicalisation (TPVR). “What we are essentially doing is to compare various intervention models delivered by the volunatry sector to identify the factors of success and models of best practices”, clarifies Sara Robinson, TPVR Project Manager. The first results of the project were discussed at the TPVR expert meeting held at 12th May in Berlin, Germany
TPVR, which was largely funded by the Prevention of Fight against Crime Programme of the European Commission, sought to continue the partnership between the German Violence Prevention Network (VPN) and London Probation Trust to research and review these methodologies/interventions which have been used with those convicted of violent extremism while in custody and while on licence once released into the community.
“In one of projects on Reducing Hate Crime in Europe London Probation had identified a specialist organisation in Germany who engaged with young men serving prison sentences for violence inspired by extreme right wing political groups”, tells Sara Robinson. “VPN have established methodologies for working with perpetrators motivated by right wing extremist ideology. Later they have developed this work to include working with Muslim offenders who have been convicted of hate related violent crime.”
In addition, in TPVR links had been made with London Mosques and faith groups in a concerted attempt to engage the Muslim community in a search for a lasting solution to violent extremism.
Linda Pizani-Williams from the European Institute of Social Services from the University of Kent, and Dr. Harald Weilnböck from the University of Zürich, would research the effectiveness of the interventions used by the project partners, what factors of the programme made it successful and what are the differences in working with different types of radicalized offenders.
“The research is expected to be finished later this year”, reveals Sara Robinson. However the first results of their research, which they presented to the project partners and delegates from Europe at the expert meeting in Berlin, did show some clear factors of success. One of these is there is a very important role for the community, whether that is to prevent vulnerable people form radicalizing, or to provide ongoing contact with ex-offenders on license and after release, which basically is the proof that after care is needed. One of the most remarkable best practices, according to me, comes from the German programme for youth criminals. Often these youths operate in groups, where they get challenged. In fact, being challenged is how they start their criminal career. VPN developed a model in which the contact person challenges the youth criminal in the same way as the group is challenging him. Also they are trying to talk with the youth about its past, and notably the positive points of it, as youth criminals have a tendency to focus on their negative experiences in life.”
The final report will be presented at the joint TPVR-RIRP* conference in London, from 4th – 6th October.
* – Reducing Influences that Radicalize Prisoners; a EU funded project that concentrates on developing training materials for prison and probation staff to recognize and prevent violent extremism in prison and probation.
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.