Previous Article
News
Webinar on Risk and Needs Assessment in Probation
On Wednesday 15th November 2023 CEP organized a webinar on Risk and Needs Assessment in the Probation field, an important topic for both CEP members and the European Commission DG Justice and Consumers.
With overwhelming caseloads, probation officers may need risks and needs assessment tools as they provide an important data point in the effort to identify the risk factors for criminal recidivism, protective factors and needs and assign an appropriate level of supervision. Nowadays, there are a plethora of assessment tools, reflecting the diversity of offending and service users. There are general assessment tools and specialist ones (such as those for sexual offenders, domestic violence perpetrators, extremists, or for the various forms of mental illness and learning disability).
CEP gathered experts on the topic of assessment and brought a focus from different angles, and perspectives. CEP invited two European experts from Belgium and The Netherlands respectively, and had also a Special Guest from outside Europe, from New Zealand, sharing their experience about the Department of Corrections journey with risk assessment in New Zealand and the lessons they learnt along the way.
Presentations can be found below.
Presentations:
- Implementing evidence-based risk assessment and management strategies in Flemish probation and parole services: Opportunities and challenges. Dr Katarzyna Uzieblo – Vrije University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
- Issues when using risk assessment tool in Probation. The Dutch experience. Dr Jacqueline Bosker – University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, Netherlands.
- Understanding Probation risk assessment tool outside Europe . The New Zealand experience. Ms Megan Stenswick and Ms Mandi Dodds – Special treatment unit, Department of Corrections, Rolleston, Canterbury, New Zealand.
Rewatch the webinar below:
Report
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.
Community Sanctions and Measures
Nelson Mandela day
18/07/2026
Nelson Mandela Day reminds us that justice is not only about accountability – it is also about hope. Mandela believed in the dignity of every person and in the possibility of change. These principles are at the heart of probation.
Across Europe, probation professionals work every day to support people in taking responsibility for their actions, rebuilding their lives and successfully reintegrating into their communities. By promoting rehabilitation, social inclusion and human dignity, probation helps reduce reoffending and contributes to safer, more resilient societies.
New
Uncategorized
Applications for the Cambridge MSt in Applied Criminology, Penology and Management open soon
16/07/2026
The MSt in Applied Criminology, Penology and Management (Penology) at the University of Cambridge is designed for senior professionals working in prisons, probation, and related fields. The programme welcomes applicants from the public, private and voluntary sectors, the legal profession, and allied disciplines such as psychology and psychiatry.
New
CEP
Meet Ruth Armstrong, CEP’s new Research Policy Officer
14/07/2026
In early July 2026, Ruth Armstrong joined CEP as a Research Policy Officer. This is a new part-time role supporting the implementation of CEP’s Research and Development Strategy. Working with the Secretary General and the Expert Group on Research, Ruth will coordinate CEP’s research activities, exploring and building partnerships in research between academics and practitioners across Probation in Europe where members access, question and use evidence in their everyday work.
Recap
CJPE summer course, Gender-based violence
She Matters: Advancing Gender-Responsive Criminal Justice Through Cross-Sector Learning in Barcelona.
13/07/2026
From 7 to 10 July 2026, more than 60 criminal justice professionals from across Europe and beyond gathered in Barcelona for the 8th Criminal Justice Platform Europe (CJPE) Summer Course, hosted by the Centre for Legal Studies and Specialised Training (CEJFE) of the Government of Catalonia. Bringing together professionals from probation, restorative justice and prisons, the Summer Course once again demonstrated the unique value of cross-sector learning, international cooperation and professional exchange.
Reading corner
Probation in Europe
Dohľad
08/07/2026
The authentic world of probation and mediation, in which professional work intersects with human destinies, is brought to you by the publication through case studies revealing the diverse life stories of convicts and the dynamics of their relationship with probation and mediation officers.
Probation Journal
CEP
New Publication: CEP, Probation and the Digital Future
02/07/2026
The latest issue of the Journal of Offender Monitoring features an English version of Gerry McNally’s chapter, CEP, Probation and the Digital Future, first published in 2023 as part of the Portuguese book Execução das Penas e Medidas na Comunidade no Futuro Digital, edited by Nuno Caiado.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.