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
Uncategorized
Newsletter December 2025 out now, featuring the 2026 CEP Activity calendar
18/12/2025
CEP’s latest newsletter is out now! Articles on the CoPPer Final Project Conference, New CEP report: The European Survey of Probation Staff’s Stress and Morale, and more.>> Read here
Reading corner
Criminal Justice
Bridging Research and Practice in Forensic Social Work: An interview with the editors of Forensic Social Work – Supporting Desistance
17/12/2025
Supporting desistance while managing risk is at the heart of criminal justice social work across Europe. In Forensic Social Work – Supporting Desistance, editors Jacqueline Bosker, Anneke Menger and Vivienne de Vogel bring together scientific insights and everyday professional practice to support those working with justice-involved individuals. In this interview, they reflect on the motivation behind the English edition of the book, its core themes, and how professionals can use its tools and approaches in their daily work.
New
Mental Health
Why some court-ordered psychiatric patients remain in prison in Europe
15/12/2025
There is an urgent yet insufficiently recognised human-rights and public-health crisis unfolding across Europe: the systematic imprisonment of mentally ill individuals who have already been assessed by courts or psychiatric professionals as requiring treatment in secure psychiatric hospitals rather than confinement in correctional facilities. Evidence indicates that structural failings—including bed shortages, procedural delays, and fragmented legal and administrative frameworks—have produced a situation in which thousands of vulnerable individuals remain in prison in direct contravention of judicial orders, clinical assessments, and international human-rights obligations. This constitutes a largely invisible mental-health scandal, obscured by inconsistent data collection, political sensitivities, and the general invisibility of people in custody.
New
Partners
Memorandum of Understanding Signed Between CEP and RESCALED
11/12/2025
On 10 December 2025, at the CEP Headquarters in Utrecht, CEP and RESCALED signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The MoU was signed by Rogier Elshout, Chair of Rescaled and Jana Špero Kamenjarin, CEP Secretary General, with the signing ceremony attended by Helen De Vos, Rescaled Executive Director and Daniel Danglades, CEP Vice-President.
Through this partnership, both organizations will work together to develop joint activities, exchange expertise, and support initiatives that advance their shared objectives.
This MoU reflects a commitment to transparent communication and the creation of new opportunities for joint projects and broader community impact.
New
Human rights and ethics
10 December – Human Rights Day
10/12/2025
CEP champions human rights because protecting dignity, fairness and equality is at the heart of effective probation. On 10 December, Human Rights Day, CEP celebrates the principle that everyone deserves respect and justice. Across Europe, CEP promotes social inclusion and supports the reintegration of people in contact with the criminal justice system. CEP strengthens community-based alternatives to imprisonment that reduce reoffending and build safer societies, advances professional and ethical probation practice, and connects practitioners, policymakers and researchers to share knowledge and promote humane justice. For CEP, justice is not only about punishment but also about opportunity, rehabilitation and respect for all.
Recap
CEP Events
Recap: First face-to-face meeting of the Expert Group Chairs
10/12/2025
On 9 December 2025, the CEP Office in Utrecht hosted the first face-to-face meeting of the Expert Group Chairs. The purpose of this meeting was to reintroduce the work of the Expert Groups and explore connections between work plans, opportunities for cooperation, and areas of common interest.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.