Workshop on Transition from Prison to Probation: Continuity of Care and Control

The event opened with warm remarks from Marc Cerón i Riera, Director of the Centre for Legal Studies and Judicial Training (Catalonia), Dr. Ioana-Mihaela Morar, Vice-President of EuroPris (Romania), and Daniel Danglades, Vice-President of CEP (France). Their messages highlighted the critical need for coordinated support and oversight of clients during the transition period, as the risk of reoffending is highest without continuity of care. Strong cooperation between prisons, probation services, and other professionals in the field forms the cornerstone of an effective criminal justice system.

Day 1 featured keynote presentations exploring the desistance journeys of prison-leavers—from the moment they prepare to leave prison through the first 18 months after release. These discussions left participants with a crucial question: What counts as success, and for whom? Who should be responsible for judging, measuring, and evaluating successful desistance? Another presentation focused on restorative approaches to support transition, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, considering all perspectives, and undertaking the restorative justice process regardless of the outcome. The session on challenges in releasing older prisoners engaged participants in a discussion about the main hurdles in preparing older prisoners for release. It also examined the rationale behind keeping older prisoners in prison versus granting early release. Last presentation introduced the small-scaled detention houses emphasizing the need for ecosystem-based continuity rather than traditional institutional continuity.

Day 2 began with presentations on national practices from Estonia, Croatia, and Germany, showcasing three distinct models of collaboration among prisons, probation services, and other criminal justice stakeholders. This was followed by interactive workshops on trauma-informed homes and networking between prison and probation services. The day concluded with presentations on the Catalan Social Participation Board, research exploring the boundaries between the penal voluntary organizations and correctional services, and the role of criminal justice social workers to the desistance process.

The event closed with a strong message: continuity of care and control is not just a policy goal—it’s a shared responsibility for safer, more inclusive communities across Europe.

CEP and EuroPris would like to thank the Center for Legal Studies and Specialized Training (Barcelona, Catalonia-Spain) for the support with organization of the workshop.