Skip to content

News

ZSM and Safety House CEP study visit

On the 13th of September 2017 nine people from all over Europe attended a special CEP study visit to two unique Dutch concepts ‘ZSM’ and ‘Safety House’ in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

 

ZSM

At the ZSM office in Utrecht Geeske Mulder and Kirsten van Scherpenzeel explained to everybody how ZSM works. ZSM can be translated as “well-considered, fast and tailormade”. It is about accelerated processing and transaction of simple offenses, by arrested or summoned offenders. It is a multi-agency procedure in which the prosecutor works in the same room as the police and various chain partners like probation, victim support and child care. In this way they can communicate fast and directly with each other, which means an enormous gaining of time.

This cartoon explains how ZSM works:

Safety House

After visiting ZSM, it was time to go to the Safety House, based in the old town hall of Utrecht. Karel van Duijvenbooden, manager of Safety House Utrecht, explained what Safety House is and how it functions.

The main objective of a safety house is increasing public safety with a multi-agency approach for complex cases. The main working form is in case-meetings in which individual cases are discussed, led by an independent chairman. The parties are all involved in social safety. Parties that could be involved are:

  • Police
  • Public prosecution office
  • Municipalities
  • Probation and after care services
  • Child care and protection boards
  • Prison service
  • Institutes for psychiatric consults and psychiatric care
  • Various institutions for addiction and psychiatric treatment
  • Various institutions for welfare and social services

The ZSM and Safety House presentations:

Presentation ZSM Utrecht

Presentation Safety House Utrecht

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.

Probation Journal

juvenile offenders, Probation in Europe

Overview of Probation Procedures for Juveniles and Adults in Albania

22/07/2026

The Albanian Probation Service plays an important role in the implementation of alternative sanctions and measures for both juveniles and adults. Through supervision, assessment, and rehabilitation-oriented interventions, the Service aims to support compliance with court decisions, reduce the risk of reoffending, and promote the successful reintegration of individuals into society.

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

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!