Webinar-Five Regions, One Network: Probation and Parole Around the World

The Global Network on Probation and Parole (GNPP) is organising this online webinar on Monday 7 December 2026 for its members and for organisations and professionals interested in joining.

At a glance

• Date: Monday 7 December 2026, 14:30–15.45 Brussels time (CET, UTC+1), 75 minutes
• Where: Zoom – Register here: Meeting Registration – Zoom
• Languages: simultaneous interpretation in English, Spanish, French and Arabic, based on needs given at registration
• Who: GNPP members, and organisations and professionals interested in joining

Background

The GNPP was launched in 2026 by Penal Reform International (PRI) and Reclassering Nederland, with PRI as Secretariat. Its vision is to connect research, practice, policy and lived experience so that community-based justice grows stronger worldwide. In its first year, 155 members have already joined, from probation services, civil society, research and lived experience organisations.

Probation and parole are expanding in many countries as an alternative to imprisonment, allowing evidence and practice to be shared and lead to change. Several regional studies are now underway or newly published, giving the network a timely picture of where community-based justice stands.

The next World Congress on Probation and Parole (WCPP) takes place in Riga, Latvia, in 2028, hosted by the State Probation Service of Latvia. This webinar links the Network’s first year to that milestone.

Purpose

The webinar gives a global picture of probation and parole today and invites new members to join the Network. It aims to:

1. Share key trends in probation and parole from five regions: Middle East and North Africa, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.
2. Present new findings, including an ongoing assessment in MENA and 20-country research in Africa launched in 2026.
3. Bring lived experience into the discussion of what these trends mean for people under supervision.
4. Build momentum towards the 2028 WCPP in Riga.
5. Show members and prospective members what the GNPP offers and how to join.

Format

A 75-minute online session built around a moderated panel discussion on key trends across five regions, with a lived experience panelist, followed by questions from participants and a look ahead to Riga.

• Interpretation: simultaneous English, Spanish, French and Arabic. Registrants state their language needs on the form so interpretation can be confirmed per language.
• Panel discussion: the moderator puts questions to each regional panelist (about 5 minutes per answer) on two or three key trends and one example from practice, rather than slide presentations. Panelists share key points in advance so the moderator and interpreters can prepare.
• Lived experience: a panelist with lived experience of probation or parole responds to the regional trends and joins the exchange. They will receive an honorarium in line with PRI’s practice
• Participation: questions via chat in any of the four languages and spoken questions to the panel.
• Recording: shared with registrants afterwards, with a short summary.

Programme

All times Brussels (CET).