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Approaches to violent extremist offenders and countering radicalisation in prisons and probation
The context of terrorism has changed dramatically for prisons and probation. ‘Foreign terrorist fighters’ now account for the highest proportion of arrests and convictions in Europe. The number of arrests has tripled over the last three years, putting increased strain on prisons and probation as offenders.
Since the launch of the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) in 2012, the Working Group on Prison and Probation (RAN P&P) has focused on preventing violent extremism, engagement with extremist groups and extremist behaviour during detention and probation.
The working group published a new paper  based on practitioners’ input and up-to- date research on the subject, although research in this area remains limited due to the relatively small size of the population concerned.
This paper aims to provide policy-makers, prison governors and prison and probation staff with information on current practice and issues relevant to managing Violent Extremist Offenders (VEOs) and individuals considered at risk of engaging in violent extremism in a prison and probation context. The paper is structured around these two contexts. While in practice this distinction may not exist in some EU Member States, it serves to identify key issues: prison conditions and reintegration strategies, risk assessment, prison regime choices, rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives, and staff training.
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Recap
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Recap: Conference on Public Perception of Probation
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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.
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New Interview Online with Felix Gerike, a survivor of a knife attack
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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.
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New Executive Summaries for the report on Building Probation Capacity in Spanish and Italian
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New Interview Online: Maren Michels – The Role of NGOs in Probation
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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.
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Want to Win a CEP Award? See How Finland Did It – Apply for 2025!
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We’re excited to share an exclusive interview with the winners of the Development of National Probation Services Award from the CEP Awards 2022:
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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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