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Mental Health Awareness week 2023: CEP’s initiatives on Mental Health in Criminal Justice

This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week in Europe, shedding light on the importance of prioritizing mental health support for probation clients and addressing mental health concerns within the criminal justice system. CEP plays a vital role in striving to enhance mental health services for probationers through various initiatives.

CEP convene annual meetings of the Expert Group on Mental Health and together with the Criminal Justice Platform Europe(CJPE) organizes a 4-day Summer Course on Mental Health Issues in Criminal Justice(Read the recap here). CEP also commissions and funds research, the latest was on “Probation officers’ knowledge of, and attitudes to, mental illness in Europe,” promoting evidence-based practices.

As the voice of Probation in Europe, CEP has the observer status in the Council for Penological Cooperation(PC-CP) at the Council of Europe (CoE). Recently, CEP was involved in drafting the White Paper regarding the management of persons with mental health disorders that aims to improve mental health support in both probation and prisons.

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.

Recap

CEP Events, Communication and Awareness-Raising

Recap: Conference on Public Perception of Probation

06/05/2025

From 6 to 7 May, the CEP Conference on the Public Perception of Probation in Europe took place in Antalya, Türkiye, bringing together over 100 participants from more than 20 countries. The event offered space for open discussion, exchange of experiences, and practical ideas on how probation is seen and supported across Europe.

New

Probation in Europe

New Interview Online with Felix Gerike, a survivor of a knife attack

01/05/2025

What do victims of violent crime need to recover—and what can be done to prevent such attacks?

In the latest episode of Division_Y, Jo Tein, CEP board member, speaks with Felix Gerike, a survivor of the 2023 Brokstedt knife attack in Germany. Felix played a crucial role in disarming the attacker, helping to prevent further harm. He shares his personal experience, reflections on victim support, and his views on justice and policy responses to violent crime.

Probation in Europe

New Executive Summaries for the report on Building Probation Capacity in Spanish and Italian

01/05/2025

Updated

CEP Board, Probation in Europe

New Interview Online: Maren Michels – The Role of NGOs in Probation

22/04/2025

In the newest Division_Y interview, Maren Michels, director of the Hamburg Welfare Association, shares her experiences and reflects on the vital role that NGOs play in supporting people during and after incarceration.

New

CEP Events

Want to Win a CEP Award? See How Finland Did It – Apply for 2025!

22/04/2025

We’re excited to share an exclusive interview with the winners of the Development of National Probation Services Award from the CEP Awards 2022:
The Prison and Probation Service of Finland.

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Volunteers

International Day for Community Volunteers

17/04/2025

 17 April – International Day for Community Volunteers!
Today, we celebrate the inaugural International Day for Community Volunteers Supporting Offender Reintegration—a day dedicated to acknowledging the vital contributions of volunteers who assist individuals in their journey back into society.​
This initiative was launched during the 2nd World Congress for Community Volunteers, held alongside the 6th World Congress on Parole and Probation in The Hague (16–18 April 2024).​
At CEP, we’re proud to support the official Declaration on the International Day for Community Volunteers. We’re also actively involved in the CoPPer project—a European initiative aimed at promoting community participation in probation services. CoPPer focuses on training volunteers to support individuals under supervision, helping them access education, employment, and community connections. ​
🎥 Hear from our Secretary General in this video, sharing why this day and the CoPPer project matter:
A heartfelt thank you to all the community volunteers out there—your dedication makes a real difference.​

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