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Transdermal Measurement and Monitoring of Alcohol Concentration

The EM conference in Helsinki 2022 inspired researchers Beata Maria Nowak, Sławomir Grzesiak, and Maja Zawadzkaus to complete and publish their scientific work on alcohol monitoring in the penitentiary and probation service. Their publication titled “Transdermal Measurement and Monitoring of Alcohol Concentration: Possibilities of Implementation and Adaptation in the Polish Penitentiary and Post-Penitentiary System” is now available for download in English and Polish versions.
You can find the publication on the website of our Publishing House, where you’ll also discover other open-access books: https://swws.edu.pl/wydawnictwo/nowosci/

Introduction
Alcohol consumption, particularly alcohol abuse, poses significant social problems that governments worldwide need to address. The negative effects of alcohol consumption require substantial financial resources for prevention, straining national health systems and impacting societies regardless of their socioeconomic development. Technological advancements, such as transdermal measurement and monitoring of alcohol concentration, offer potential solutions to alcohol-related issues. The Academy of Justice conducted a two-year pilot project in the Polish penitentiary system, exploring the implementation of a transdermal alcohol concentration monitoring system (TMSA) to support inmates’ social readaptation and reduce recidivism rates. The project’s findings and recommendations can potentially be applied in other areas, such as probation monitoring and addressing domestic violence. The book detailing this research provides an overview of alcohol consumption statistics, explores treatment and rehabilitation methods, discusses transdermal measurement technology, presents research results, and addresses the legal and social implications of implementing TMSA in the penitentiary system. The authors express gratitude to the Central Board of Prison Service, prison directors, and staff for their support in conducting the research.

Probation library

Reading corner

Violent Extremism

New newsletter available: EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation

11/05/2026

The latest edition of the EU Knowledge Hub newsletter brings together policy, research, and practice to address evolving radicalisation threats across Europe.

Probation Journal

Research

What is the societal value of probation?

04/05/2026

During the CEP 15th General Assembly and International Conference on Gender-Based Violence in Probation (from 14 to 16 October 2025 in Vienna, Austria), the Dutch research group Modelling Societal Impact received the CEP Probation Research Award for their work on the societal impact of the Dutch probation services. The research has since been completed. There are multiple reports published (in Dutch) and a short videocast with English subtitles. For anyone interested, see below an oversight of the published research and relevant links to the publications and videocast.

This research may help other European countries demonstrate the added value of probation for their national context. If you would like to learn more about this, please contact: a.a.nemeth@saxion.nl (dr.ir. Attila Németh) or a.visser@saxion.nl (Anouk Visser, MSc.)

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.

Reading corner

Probation in Europe

The Routledge Handbook of European Penology

05/01/2026

The Routledge Handbook of European Penology, published by Routledge. This comprehensive volume has been edited by Sonja Snacken, Gaëtan Cliquennois, Ioan Durnescu, Diete Humblet and Elena Larrauri.

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.

Probation Journal

Domestic violence, Gender-based violence

New evaluation on whole family approach to domestic abuse

26/11/2025

Interventions Alliance has published a new evaluation of a Hub coordinated on behalf of police forces in the south of England, focused on tackling violence against women and children through a whole family approach. The Hub supports victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse and works across policing, health and social services.

Reading corner

Probation in Europe

New Release: Forensic Social Work – Supporting Desistance

13/11/2025

This book, Forensic Social Work – Supporting Desistance, has been released by Routledge. It is a practice-oriented resource exploring how forensic social work can support desistance and foster meaningful change in the lives of justice-involved individuals.

Reading corner

Criminal Justice

Parole Futures

18/08/2025

At a time when many parole systems are experiencing considerable strain, the aims of this collection are twofold: first, to encourage systematic and critical reflection on the rationalities, institutions and practices of parole. Second, to think big, and pose ambitious ‘what if’ questions about the possible futures of parole and prison release. Offering novel insights from Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America, this collection builds the case for, and then showcases, a ‘way of doing’ parole research that is global in outlook, interdisciplinary in approach and unapologetically normative in character.

Probation Journal

Violent Extremism

2025 EU Guidance document responding to the needs of victims of terorrism

23/06/2025

To mark the EU Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism on 11 March, the EU Centre of Expertise for Victims of Terrorism has published a new Guidance Document on the Needs of Victims. This document is a significant step forward in reinforcing a victim-centred approach within counter-terrorism efforts across the European Union.

 

Research

Launch of the CEP Research and Development Strategy Summary

17/06/2025

We’re thrilled to announce that the Confederation of European Probation (CEP), in cooperation with the University of Glasgow (led by CEP Honorary Member Professor Fergus McNeill), and with the support of the CEP Expert Group on Research, has produced the CEP Research and Development Strategy. We are happy to share the summary with you!

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