Expert groups and networks

Expert groups of European specialists in fields related to probation operate under the wings of CEP. These groups are platforms for the knowledge and expertise exchange as well as discussions on specific topics and are composed of frontline practitioners, researchers, probation specialists, experts. The groups are coordinated by the CEP secretariat and its mandate is for two years with a possible extension for another two years.

Current Expert groups & Networks

CEP runs several expert groups and networks where specialists meet to exchange know-how, expertise, ideas and research specific topics. Below you will find information about current expert groups and networks.

Communication and Awareness-Raising

The aim of this expert group is to support jurisdictions in navigating their own stories and shifting the narrative towards a more balanced and informed perspective taking into account stereotypes and misconceptions probation services often face, promoting transparent communication, sharing success stories and initiatives, improving public perception, enhancing community awareness as well as fostering collaboration across borders by exchanging experience, challenges, and innovative solutions learning from successful communication and awareness-raising initiatives implemented across Europe.

Electronic Monitoring

Considering importance of EM for CEP members, starting from 2024, former EM prep-group that was planning and organizing biannual EM CEP conferences, was transformed into expert group. The group will be planning and organizing future CEP EM conferences but will also provide activities / information in the year when we do not have EM conference.

Education & Training

In a context of a rapid development of the criminal justice field and the growing importance of probation measures as more effective and with less economic cost, the training of Probation professionals has become crucial and challenging. In addition, the transfer of probation supervision orders between Member States has emphasised the need for comparable and equivalent practice across jurisdictions. In these circumstances, it is important to share knowledge and training expertise across Europe, train probation staff as specialized professionals and to share good practices, training methodologies and materials to assure quality training and practice.

Mental Health

European probation services nowadays are faced with large numbers of people with mental health problems. Research has shown that the prevalence of various mental health problems among probationers is relatively high when compared to the general population. It is important to identify those who are sentenced for other crimes, but possibly have mental health problems. It is also essential that mental health needs of people who have offended are given a higher priority in terms of service delivery, education, staff straining and research, because working on mental health issues is also a way of reducing crime and especially recidivism.

Technology

Technology in probation has been rapidly changing and expanding as well. Nowadays, technologies such as artificial intelligence, electronic monitoring, smart apps and virtual reality are used by probation officers in their daily work. Something we could have never thought of a couple of years ago.

Violent Extremism

Addressing the dangers posed by violent extremism in European countries is a primary concern of the criminal justice system. Prison and probation programs are key areas where radicalization and deradicalization intersect. In December 2016, CEP invited a number of experts in the field of violent extremism from different European countries to attend the very first expert group meeting on radicalisation and violent extremism.

Research

Over recent years, CEP has begun to develop engagement with researchers, research institutions and projects. During the term of the previous CEP Board membership by third-level institutions was promoted and a representative was co-opted to the CEP. Research, quality assurance and evaluation are key elements in the development of better practice, better and more effective service provision, and improved outcomes for all stakeholders.

Gender-based Violence

According to the Council of Europe definition, Gender-based violence is violence directed against a person or group of people because of their factual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation and/or gender identity and that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately (mainly women and girls but it can affect also men and boys). Gender-based violence can be sexual, physical, verbal, psychological (emotional), or socio-economic and it can take many forms, from verbal violence and hate speech on the Internet, to rape or murder. It can be perpetrated by anyone: a current or former spouse/partner, a family member, a colleague from work, schoolmates, friends, an unknown person, or people who act on behalf of cultural, religious, state, or intra-state institutions. Although women and girls are the main victims of GBV, it also causes severe harm to families and communities.

Caseload and workload

The 2022 evaluation audit on caseload and workload recognized that excessive workloads threaten the effectiveness and quality of probation work; have negative impacts on the experience and treatment of offenders, mental health and well-being of probation staff. The size of the community sanctions caseload is determined by many factors that lie beyond the control of probation bodies but reflect the broader penal and economic climate.

Foreign Nationals in Prison and Probation

One country’s foreign national prisoner is another country’s citizen imprisoned abroad. This dual perspective is key to the work of the Foreign Nationals in Prison and Probation Network (FNPP) and important, we believe, to appreciating and understanding the issues of foreign prisoners. The FNPP Network believes that the responsibility for the rehabilitation, resettlement and risk reduction of foreign national prisoners is a shared one for every country in Europe.

Past Expert groups & Networks

Explore our archive of past expert groups to learn about the topics they addressed and the contributions they made to probation and community sanctions.

Sex Offender Management

The Sex Offender Expert Group has been established in February 2012 to improve coordination and cooperation between CEP members for probation practice development with sexual offenders across Europe. Today it provides opportunity for lead experts of CEP members to meet and discuss further development of work with this unique and challenging target group of probation clients. During meetings information on best practice is shared and contacts with devoted experts from other jurisdictions are established. The Expert Group is an advisory body of CEP and develops initiatives for various international events for CEP members, like seminars and conferences to promote more efficient work with sexual offenders and to keep our communities safe.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is an ongoing problem all around Europe. It is a severe issue that refers to all jurisdictions. The Swedish Prison and Probation Service took the initiative to explore, together with EuroPris and CEP, the possibility for establishing a joint expert group on the issue of domestic violence. A pre-meeting was organised in March in Stockholm with experts from Croatia, Belgium, England/Wales and Sweden to discuss current practices and gaps, also in relation to the provisions of the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention.

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