Conférence Permanente de la Probation

An introduction by Leo Tigges, Secretary General

MissionThe Conférence Permanente Européenne de la Probation will promote pan-European co-operation in the development and delivery of community sanctions and measures. It is committed to achieving just outcomes, increased public protection and community involvement in the reduction of offending across all the countries of Europe - based on the tenets of human rights, well thought out policies, evidence based practice and the best use of public resources.

History of CEP

• Foundation in 1981

• Main reason: growing number of foreign nationals in national prisons

• Countries represented in 1981: 19

• Countries represented in 2007: 27

• Recent entries: Liechtenstein, Poland

Principles CEP

• Community Justice: Crime must be resolved in communities

• Human rights: bringing alive basic rights and responsibilities

• Delivery of effective sentences: reducing re-offending, developing consistent and fair options that are based on good principles and good evidence

What binds probation in Europe? (1)

Justice is done and effectiveness of the penal reaction is served when:• the personal circumstances are taken into

account: pre-sentence probation report• risk of recidivism is included in the sentence

and the execution of the sentence: assessment reports

• supervision, behavioural interventions and aftercare is offered, if needed

What binds probation in Europe?(2)

• Non-custodial sentences are more effective and cheaper than custodial sentences

• Supervision, aftercare and behavioural interventions are needed to prevent recidivism

Aims and focus of CEP

• Enhancing profile of probation

• Improving professionalism of probation

• Focus on evidenced based practice

• Influencing governments and European Institutions

How does CEP help?

• Programme of Activities: workshops and conferences

• Exchange of ideas: Newletter, website, reports

• Providing expertise to the European Union and the Council of Europe

• Influencing Governments, partners in the penal system, EuropeanInstitutions

Overview CEP conferences (1)

• Foreign offender: 1981, 1982, 2008

• Electronic Monitoring: 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009

• Community Sanctions and Measures, Community Service: 1986, 1988, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005

Overview CEP conferences (2)

• Sex offenders: 2000, 2003, 2006

• Effective Practice, What Works?: 1996, 2002, 2004, 2008

• Cooperation judicial authorities and probation services: 1984, 1987

• Drugs: Probation intervention 1991 and Drug couriers: 1996, 2007

Changing character of CEP

• Other topics: electronic monitoring, what works, toughness

• Emerging countries: Well-established services are re-visioning while new probation services are developing a first vision

• Focus on governments and European institutions

A higher international profile of probation is needed

• Probation has not been a priority on the agenda of the European Institutions

• The wind behind the back of probation: • Continuing building more prisons is expensive

and not effective• Every country has a lot of foreigners in its

penitentiary institutions• Probation is not a soft option

Council of Europe (1)Activities on Crime Problems

• Much work devoted to extradition, mutual assistance in criminal matters, terrorism, corruption, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, cyber crime etc.

• Relatively few work devoted to Probation

Council of Europe (2)

Positive developments The Council of Europe:• studied CEP’s contribution to the new Prison

Rules• invited the Director Generals of Probation at

the ad hoc conference for DG’s of the Prison Services in November 2004

• organised the Conference on Probation and Aftercare in Istanbul 14-16 November 2005

Council of Europe (3) Positive developments

• 2007: formulating a frame of reference for developing Recommendations on Role and Function of Probation Services in Europe

• Some new members with probation expertise appointed in the Penological Council in April 2006

European Commission (1)

• Probation has never been on the agenda of the European Commission

• Agenda was dominated by free movement of persons, goods, services and capital

• Upcoming interest in Justice topics

• New developments on Rules and Funding

European Commission (2)Transfer of sentenced Persons

• Austria took the initiative of a draft on new rules on the transfer of sentenced persons without their consent

• “The transfer of sentenced persons to the State of Nationality, the State of legal residence or the State with which the persons have other close links to serve their sentence helps with their rehabilitation”.

European Commission (3)Transfer of sentenced Persons

• First time that rehabilitation is mentioned in EU rules

• Gives opportunity for CEP to present itself to the EU in working out the consequences for Probation

European Commission (4)Transfer of sentenced Persons

• Is an advisory report from the Probation Service necessary?

• Which probation service is going to advise the authorities?

• What will have to be the minimum topics covered?

European Commission (5)Transfer of alternative sanctions and

probation measures

• Framework decision is currently being discussed in Brussels and Lisboa

• Will have a lot of consequences for the national probation organisations

European Commission (5)Funding

• New funding programs for the period 2007-2013 are under preparation

• More money available for projects with a European dimension in the field of justice, security and safeguarding liberties

• CEP and the member countries should in 2007 explore what it means for probation

An active CEP:What is in it for members?

• A growing awareness of probation at the European level → a stronger position a the national level and visa versa

• More money available at the national and European level

• Support for national developments (knowlegde and advice)

• Improved exchange of policy and practice