Kiri







PC-CP (2025) 10
English


European Committee on Crime Problems
(CDPC)



Council for Penological Co-operation
(PC-CP)




SPACE II-2025





“Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics – Persons Serving Non-Custodial Sanctions and Measures in 2025”







SPACE II SURVEY – 2025
Conducted for the Council of Europe by

Prof. Marcelo F. Aebi (PhD) & Ignacio Cid Pozo
University of Lausanne (Switzerland)


PC-CP Website: www.coe.int/prison SPACE Website: www.unil.ch/space


Guidelines on how to answer the questionnaire:
To avoid any ambiguity, one of the following responses and no other, should be entered after each item:
NAP
The question is irrelevant. The item refers to a notion that does not exist in your criminal justice system. (NAP= not applicable).
…
No figures available, but the item refers to a notion that exists in your criminal justice system.
0
The number is zero at the date of reference, but the item refers to a notion that exists in your criminal justice system.
A number other than 0
Indicates the actual number at the date of reference.
Please do not use any symbols (such as “-”, “***” or “/”), nor any abbreviations such as NA, and do not leave any item blank. 
Before completing the questionnaire, we kindly ask you to read the instructions and recommendations for data compilation in their entirety.
Please return the completed questionnaire no later than
15 December 2025
to the following address:

[email protected] (copy to [email protected], [email protected])


In case of any question concerning definitions and/or items used in the present questionnaire, please contact Prof. Marcelo F. Aebi ([email protected], telephone: +41 21 692 46 38), or Ignacio Cid Pozo ([email protected]), telephone: +41 21 692 46 46)

Introduction

The 2025 version of SPACE II considers the persons serving non-custodial and semi-custodial sanctions and measures supervised by probation agencies (or any other equivalent institution). These sanctions and measures are frequently referred to as “alternatives to imprisonment” and most of them are community sanctions and measures (CSM).

According to the Council of Europe’s Recommendation CM/Rec(2017)3, “the expression ‘community sanctions and measures’ means sanctions and measures which maintain suspects or offenders in the community and involve some restrictions on their liberty through the imposition of conditions and/or obligations. The term designates any sanction imposed by a judicial or administrative authority, and any measure taken before or instead of a decision on a sanction, as well as ways of enforcing a sentence of imprisonment outside a prison establishment”.

Persons who are under a sanction or measure alternative to imprisonment are generally under the supervision of the CSM implementing authority, which in the majority of countries, is the probation agency.

Council of Europe’s Recommendation CM/Rec(2014)4 defines a probation agency as “a body responsible for the execution in the community of sanctions and measures defined by law and imposed on an offender. Its tasks include a range of activities and interventions, which involve supervision, guidance and assistance aiming at the social inclusion of offenders, as well as at contributing to community safety. It may also, depending on the national legal system, implement one or more of the following functions: providing information and advice to judicial and other deciding authorities to help them reach informed and just decisions; providing guidance and support to offenders while in custody in order to prepare their release and resettlement; monitoring and assistance to persons subject to early release; restorative justice interventions; and offering assistance to victims of crime. A probation agency may also be, depending on the national legal system, the ‘agency responsible for supervising persons under electronic monitoring’”.

SPACE II is not designed to cover all the existing CSM. The sanctions and measures covered are basically those encouraged by the Council of Europe through the following Recommendations of the Committee of Ministers to member States: Rec(99)19 concerning mediation in penal matters, Rec(99)22 concerning prison overcrowding and prison population inflation, Rec(2003)22 concerning conditional release (parole), CM/Rec(2010)1 on the Council of Europe Probation Rules, CM/Rec(2014)4 on electronic monitoring, and CM/Rec(2017)3 on the European Rules on community sanctions and measures.

The data gathered by the SPACE II survey includes the stock (number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025), the flow of entries (number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies during 2024), the flow of exits (number of persons that have ceased to be under the supervision of probation agencies during 2024), socio-demographic information on these persons, and information on the staff of probation agencies.

Objective of the SPACE II survey and major changes since 2023

In this questionnaire, the concepts of “probation”, “probation supervision”, and “community sanctions and measures” are used in a broad sense, in order to take into account the wide variety of national practices across Europe. None of these concepts is employed in the strict legal sense specific to any particular country.
Thanks to the valuable feedback provided by the SPACE network of national correspondents and considering the evolution of community sanctions and measures in Europe, since 2023 the SPACE II questionnaire has included:
(a) the possibility of reporting the total number of measures in both the stock and the flow, as requested by probation agencies that do not use the person as their counting unit; and
(b) a revised classification of the moment when the measures are served — that is, before sentencing, after sentencing (as alternatives to imprisonment), or after release from a custodial sanction.
The purpose of this questionnaire is to collect and compare, in a reliable manner, information provided by all Member States of the Council of Europe. To enhance the validity of these comparisons, additional questions have been included regarding the content of certain categories. Any supplementary explanations that you may provide concerning the specific features of your national legal system will be duly taken into account. However, we kindly ask you to align your national categories as closely as possible with those proposed by SPACE II, in order to ensure comparability at the European level.

Section A: Metadata

A.1 Status of probation agencies

A.1.1. Are the Probation Administration and the Prison Administration of your country two distinct bodies?

a.
Yes, they are independent (i.e., in our country we have a Probation Administration and a separate Prison Administration)

b.
No, they are not independent (i.e., in our country we have only a Prison and Probation Service)


A.1.2. Under the authority of which official body are the probation agencies placed?
(multiple answers are possible)

a.
Ministry of Justice

b.
Ministry of Interior

c.
Prison Administration (if your Prison administration is under the authority of the Ministry of Justice, please tick categories a and c)

d.
Probation agencies are independent State bodies

e.
Probation agencies are independent private bodies

f.
Probation agencies are mixed (State and private) independent bodies

g.
Probation services do not exist in our country
(If yes, please specify in your comments which is the body responsible for the tasks related to probation)

h.
Other (please specify)


Comments on item A.1
     


A.2. Counting unit: the person (metadata on Tables 1 and 2 of the questionnaire)
We kindly ask you to use the person as the counting unit, rather than the number of cases, measures, files, orders, or verdicts. The objective is to determine the number of persons who were under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 (stock data), as well as the number of persons who entered (flow of entries) and the number of persons who exited (flow of exits) probation supervision during the year 2024 (flow data).

The counting unit is a key element for understanding the use of probation in each country. Its impact can be observed in the figures presented in the publication “Probation and Prisons in Europe: Key Findings of the SPACE Reports” (https://wp.unil.ch/space/publications/probation-and-prison-in-europe/). We strongly encourage you to read this short publication, which illustrates how the use of different counting units can lead to misleading comparisons across countries.
For this reason, if you are unable to provide data on the number of persons on probation, please specify in the comments the counting unit you are using and include a brief explanation of it. In particular, if you count cases (or measures, files, orders, or verdicts), please indicate whether this counting unit:
(a) can refer to several persons, and
(b) can include several forms of probation.
The latter point is especially relevant when completing Section B of the questionnaire. For example, some countries may be able to provide the total number of persons on probation on 31 January, but cannot use that counting unit when breaking down the data by forms of probation being served. This usually occurs when a person is serving several forms of probation and the statistical system counts each form separately. This issue does not arise when the statistical system records only one form of probation per person, typically the most severe.
We kindly ask you to provide this type of information in the comments section whenever applicable.

Do you use the PERSON as the counting unit for the questionnaire?

• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.2.1
Stock indicators

A.2.2
Flow indicators


If you have answered either no or partially regarding any of the given categories, please explain your answer below.

Comments on item A.2
     


A.3. Dates of reference (metadata on Tables 1 and 2 of the questionnaire)
We kindly ask you to provide stock data as of 31 January 2025 and flow data for the year 2024.
The objective is to determine the number of persons who were under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 (stock data), as well as the number of persons who entered (flow of entries) and the number of persons who exited (flow of exits) probation supervision during the year 2024 (flow data).

Do you use 31.01.2025 as the date of reference for STOCK indicators?
• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.3.1
Stock indicators

A.3.2
If no or partially, please indicate the date of reference
     

Do you use the year 2024 as the date of reference for FLOW indicators?
• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.3.3
Flow indicators

A.3.4
If no or partially, please indicate the date of reference
     

If you have answered either no or partially regarding any of the given categories, please explain your answer below.

Comments on item A.3
     


A.4. Sociodemographic characteristics of the probation population of your country
(metadata on Tables 1, 2 and 3 of the questionnaire)

Does the data provided for Tables 1 and 2 include the following categories?
• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.4.1
Minors

A.4.2
Women

A.4.3
Foreigners

A.4.4
Persons included in the total prison population reported by your country when answering the SPACE I questionnaire


A.4.4A
If yes, please indicate how many
     

If you have answered either no or partially regarding any of the given categories, please explain it below.

Comments on item A.4
     



A.5. Types of offences (metadata on Tables 1, 2 and 4 of the questionnaire)

Does the data provided for Tables 1 and 2 include the following categories?
• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.5.1
Offences against persons (e.g., homicide, assault, rape, etc.)

A.5.2
Offences against property (e.g., theft, vandalism, fraud, etc.)

A.5.3
Drug offences

A.5.4
Road traffic offences

A.5.5
Other offences


Do you use the PERSON as the counting unit for the following categories?
• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.5.6
Offences against persons (e.g., homicide, assault, rape, etc.)

A.5.7
Offences against property (e.g., theft, vandalism, fraud, etc.)

A.5.8
Drug offences

A.5.9
Road traffic offences

A.5.10
Other offences


Do you apply a principal offence rule (i.e., only the most serious offence is taken into consideration)?
• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.5.11
Offences against persons (e.g., homicide, assault, rape, etc.)

A.5.12
Offences against property (e.g., theft, vandalism, fraud, etc.)

A.5.13
Drug offences

A.5.14
Road traffic offences

A.5.15
Other offences


If you have answered either no or partially regarding any of the given categories, please explain your answer below.

Comments on item A.5
     

please provide a comment if you chose none of the available answers (yes/no/partially/not applicable).

Section B: Probationers

REMINDER:
We kindly ask you to provide stock data as of 31 January 2025 and flow data for the year 2024.
Please use the person as the counting unit, rather than the number of cases, measures, files, orders, or verdicts. The objective is to determine the number of persons who were under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 (stock data), as well as the number of persons who entered (flow of entries) and the number of persons who exited (flow of exits) probation supervision during the year 2024 (flow data).

The counting unit is a key element for understanding the use of probation in each country. Its impact can be observed in the figures presented in the publication “Probation and Prisons in Europe: Key Findings of the SPACE Reports” (https://wp.unil.ch/space/publications/probation-and-prison-in-europe/). We strongly encourage you to read this short publication, which illustrates how the use of different counting units can lead to misleading comparisons across countries.
For this reason, if you are unable to provide data on the number of persons on probation, please specify in the comments the counting unit you are using and include a brief explanation of it. In particular, if you count cases (or measures, files, orders, or verdicts), please indicate whether this counting unit:
(a) can refer to several persons, and
(b) can include several forms of probation.
The latter point is especially relevant when completing Section B of the questionnaire. For example, some countries may be able to provide the total number of persons on probation on 31 January, but cannot use that counting unit when breaking down the data by forms of probation being served. This usually occurs when a person is serving several forms of probation and the statistical system counts each form separately. This issue does not arise when the statistical system records only one form of probation per person, typically the most severe.
We kindly ask you to provide this type of information in the comments section whenever applicable.
Table 1.0: Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies and measures being executed on 31 January 2025 (STOCK)

Tables 1.1, 1.2, 1.3: Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 (STOCK)

Table 2.0: Number of persons that were placed under the supervision of probation agencies and measures started during the year 2024 (FLOW of entries)

Tables 2.1, 2.2. 2.3: Number of persons that were placed under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 (FLOW of entries)


EXPLANATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

1.1, 2.1 Forms of probation/supervision before the sentence

1.1.1, 2.1.1 Alternatives to pre-trial detention with supervision by probation agencies (total)
Pre-trial detention is used in this questionnaire as a synonym of remand in custody. Remand in custody is any period of detention of a suspected offender ordered by a judicial authority and prior to conviction; it also includes any period of detention after conviction whenever persons awaiting either sentence or the confirmation of conviction or sentence continue to be treated as unconvicted persons (Rec (2006) 13, ch.1).

1.1.2, 2.1.2 Conditional suspension of the Criminal Proceedings
This item refers to cases where the whole procedure is postponed before the person is found guilty. Indeed, it covers cases where, before any finding of guilt, an authority of the criminal justice system (examining magistrate, court, prosecutor or other) orders the suspension of the procedure for a given time in order to assess the behaviour of the accused person during that period or to allow mediation or conciliation procedure.

1.1.3, 2.1.3 Deferral (postponement of the pronouncement of a sentence)
Cases where the person is found guilty, but the decision on the sentence to be imposed is postponed during a certain period of time in order to appreciate the evolution of the behaviour of the person during that time. At the end of it, and according to the evolution of his/her behaviour, the person can be sentenced, or the proceedings can be filed. Please do not include cases in which the deferral is pronounced without probation.

1.1.4., 2.1.4 Electronic Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring allows the localization of the person using different techniques. Electronic monitoring can be used as an alternative to pre-trial detention or pronounced as a sanction in its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence, or as a condition attached to a conditional release. Please specify under the heading “Comments” whether electronic monitoring is used exclusively with home arrest. If electronic monitoring is combined with home arrest, please include it under item 1.1.5A (stock) and 2.1.5A (flow). If electronic monitoring is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.1.7 (stock) and 2.1.7 (flow).

1.1.5A, 1.1.5B, 2.1.5A, 2.1.5B Home Arrest with or without electronic monitoring
The person is required to remain in a permanent way at his/her residence. Home arrest can be used as an alternative to pre-trial detention or pronounced as a sanction in its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence, or as a condition attached to a conditional release. If, in your country, home arrest is used exclusively with Electronic Monitoring, please indicate it under the heading “Comments”. If home arrest is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.1.7 (stock) and 2.1.7 (flow).

1.1.6, 2.1.6 Victim-offender mediation
Mediation is a way of resolving conflicts or differences of interests between the offender and the victim. It is not a CSM, but it is sometimes handled by probation agencies.

1.2, 2.2 Forms of probation/supervision after the sentence (i.e., as alternatives to imprisonment)

1.2.1, 2.2.1 Mixed sanctions or measures
Two or several types of CSM ordered at the same time or that supplement each other during the execution of the sentence (e.g., home arrest with electronic monitoring). Please specify the applied combinations in the subcategories of item 1.2.1, respectively 2.2.1.

1.2.2, 2.2.2 Fully suspended custodial sentence with probation
The judge can attach conditions to the suspension of a sentence during a given period. The person has been sentenced to imprisonment, but the enforcement of the sanction is suspended, and the person remains under the obligation to conform to the conditions imposed.

1.2.3, 2.2.3 Conditional pardon or conditional discharge (with probation)
The pardon or the discharge are granted if the attached requirements (e.g., payment of the damages to the victim, detoxification therapy, etc.) have been fulfilled during a given period of time. The conditional pardon can be pronounced after a sentence has been imposed. The discharge can be pronounced when the person is found guilty (i.e., before the sentence is imposed).

1.2.4, 2.2.4 Community Service
Community service consists in unpaid work for the benefit of society. Community service can be pronounced as a sanction on its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence or a conditional release, as well as a supplementary sanction. If community service is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.2.1 (stock) and 2.2.1 (flow).

1.2.5., 2.2.5 Electronic Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring allows the localization of the person using different techniques. Electronic monitoring can be used as an alternative to pre-trial detention or pronounced as a sanction in its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence, or as a condition attached to a conditional release. Please specify under the heading “Comments” whether electronic monitoring is used exclusively with home arrest. If electronic monitoring is combined with home arrest, please include it under item 1.2.6A (stock) and 2.2.6A (flow). If electronic monitoring is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.2.1 (stock) and 2.2.1 (flow).

1.2.6A, 1.2.6B, 2.2.6A, 2.2.6B Home Arrest with or without electronic monitoring
The person is required to remain in a permanent way at his/her residence. Home arrest can be used as an alternative to pre-trial detention or pronounced as a sanction in its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence, or as a condition attached to a conditional release. If, in your country, home arrest is used exclusively with Electronic Monitoring, please indicate it under the heading “Comments”. If home arrest is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.2.1 (stock) and 2.2.1 (flow).

1.2.7, 2.2.7 Treatment
Treatment requirements can be pronounced at different stages of criminal proceedings. These may concern treatment provided for drug-dependent, alcohol-addicted offenders, as well as offenders with mental disorders and persons convicted for sexual offence.

1.3, 2.3 Forms of probation/supervision after release from custodial sentence

1.3.1., 2.3.1 Electronic Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring allows the localization of the person using different techniques. Electronic monitoring can be used as an alternative to pre-trial detention or pronounced as a sanction in its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence, or as a condition attached to a conditional release. Please specify under the heading “Comments” whether electronic monitoring is used exclusively with home arrest. If electronic monitoring is combined with home arrest, please include it under item 1.3.2A (stock) and 2.3.2A (flow). If electronic monitoring is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.3.5 (stock) and 2.3.5 (flow).

1.3.2A, 1.3.2B, 2.3.2A, 2.3.2B Home Arrest with or without electronic monitoring
The person is required to remain in a permanent way at his/her residence. Home arrest can be used as an alternative to pre-trial detention or pronounced as a sanction in its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence, or as a condition attached to a conditional release. If, in your country, home arrest is used exclusively with Electronic Monitoring, please indicate it under the heading “Comments”. If home arrest is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.3.5 (stock) and 2.3.5 (flow).

1.3.3, 2.3.3 Partially suspended custodial sentence with probation
The partial suspension allows the judge to pronounce a sentence of imprisonment of which a part is served under custody and the other is suspended. In this category are also counted periodical prison stays (e.g., semi-custodial sanctions) accompanied by probation supervision during the rest of the time.

1.3.4, 2.3.4 Semi-liberty (including weekend imprisonment and imprisonment on separate days)
Under this regime, the offender must spend a certain amount of time in the community and a certain amount of time in prison. The time spent in prison can be placed at different times. For example, the person may be obliged to spend the nights, the weekends or certain days in prison.

1.3.5, 2.3.5, Conditional release (Parole) with probation supervision
Conditional release of a prisoner before the end of his/her sentence (also known as parole) under individual/specific conditions


Before entering your data into Tables 1 and 2, please read carefully the definitions and explanations/rules provided above. If necessary, please adjust the categories used in your national statistics to correspond with the categories of the present questionnaire.


Table 1.0: Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 and measures being executed on the same date (STOCK)

31 January 2025
Numbers
Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies and measures being executed
Persons
Measures
1.0
Total

     
     
Of which:
1.1
Before the sentence
     
     

1.2
After the sentence (i.e., sanctions or measures applied as an alternative to imprisonment)
     
     

1.3
After release from custodial sentence
     
     

Table 1.1: Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 before the sentence (STOCK)

31 January 2025
Numbers
1.1
Number of persons supervised before the sentence: Total
     

Of which: Persons supervised due to:


1.1.1
Alternatives to pre-trial detention with supervision by probation agencies (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


1.1.2
Conditional suspension of criminal proceedings
     

1.1.3
Deferral (postponement of the pronouncement of a sentence)
     

1.1.4
Electronic Monitoring
     

1.1.5A
Home arrest (curfew orders) with electronic monitoring
     

1.1.5B
Home arrest (curfew orders) without electronic monitoring
     

1.1.6
Victim-offender mediation
     

1.1.7
Other (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     



Table 1.2: Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 after the sentence (STOCK)

Please include in this Table the persons who, instead of entering a penal institution, serve a sanction or measure in the community—that is, cases where sanctions and measures are used as alternatives to imprisonment.

31 January 2025
Numbers
1.2
Number of persons supervised after the sentence (i.e., as alternatives to imprisonment): Total
     

Of which: Persons supervised due to:


1.2.1
Mixed sanctions or measures (please specify)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


1.2.2
Fully suspended custodial sentence with probation
     

1.2.3
Conditional pardon or conditional discharge (with probation)
     

1.2.4
Community service
     

1.2.5
Electronic monitoring
     

1.2.6A
Home arrest (curfew orders) with electronic monitoring
     

1.2.6B
Home arrest (curfew orders) without electronic monitoring
     

1.2.7
Treatment
     

1.2.8
Other (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


Table 1.3: Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 after release from custodial sentence (STOCK)

31 January 2025
Numbers
1.3
Number of persons supervised after release from custodial sentence (i.e. inmates conditionally released): Total
     

Of which: Persons supervised due to:


1.3.1
Electronic monitoring
     

1.3.2A
Home arrest with electronic monitoring
     

1.3.2B
Home arrest without electronic monitoring
     

1.3.3
Partially suspended custodial sentence with probation
     

1.3.4
Semi-liberty
     

1.3.5
Conditional release (Parole) with probation supervision
     

1.3.6
Other (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


Which instrument do you use for electronic monitoring?
• Yes
• No
• Not applicable
B.1.1
Ankle bracelets

B.1.2
Wrist bracelets

B.1.3
Telephone calls

B.1.4
Other (please specify)
     


Comments
     


Please ensure that the sum of the subcategories included in the table is equal to the total. If this is not the case, please provide an explanation under the heading “Comments”.



Table 2.0: Number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 and number of measures initiated during the same year (FLOW OF ENTRIES)

During 2024
Numbers
Number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 and number of measures initiated during the same year
Persons
Measures
2.0
Total

     
     
Of which:
2.1
Before the sentence
     
     

2.2
After the sentence (i.e., sanctions or measures applied as an alternative to imprisonment)
     
     

2.3
After release from custodial sentence
     
     

Table 2.1: Number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 before the sentence (FLOW OF ENTRIES)

During 2024
Numbers
2.1
Number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies before the sentence: Total
     

Of which: Persons placed under supervision due to:


2.1.1
Alternatives to pre-trial detention with supervision by probation agencies (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


2.1.2
Conditional suspension of criminal proceedings
     

2.1.3
Deferral (postponement of the pronouncement of a sentence)
     

2.1.4
Electronic Monitoring
     

2.1.5A
Home arrest (curfew orders) with electronic monitoring
     

2.1.5B
Home arrest (curfew orders) without electronic monitoring
     

2.1.6
Victim-offender mediation
     

2.1.7
Other (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     



Table 2.2: Number of persons that were placed under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 after the sentence (FLOW OF ENTRIES)

Please include in this Table the persons who, instead of entering into a penal institution, serve a sanction or measure in the community (i.e., sanctions and measures are used as an alternative to imprisonment).

During 2024
Numbers
2.2
Number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies after the sentence: Total
     

Of which: Persons placed under supervision due to:


2.2.1
Mixed sanctions or measures (please specify)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


2.2.2
Fully suspended custodial sentence with probation
     

2.2.3
Conditional Pardon or conditional discharge (with probation)
     

2.2.4
Community service
     

2.2.5
Electronic Monitoring
     

2.2.6A
Home arrest (curfew orders) with electronic monitoring
     

2.2.6B
Home arrest (curfew orders) without electronic monitoring
     

2.2.7
Treatment
     

2.2.8
Other (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


Table 2.3: Number of persons that were placed under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 after release from custodial sentence (FLOW OF ENTRIES)

31 January 2024
Numbers
2.3
Number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies after release from custodial sentence: Total
     

Of which: Persons placed under supervision due to:


2.3.1
Electronic monitoring
     

2.3.2A
Home arrest with electronic monitoring
     

2.3.2B
Home arrest without electronic monitoring
     

2.3.3
Partially suspended custodial sentence with probation
     

2.3.4
Semi-liberty
     

2.3.5
Conditional release (Parole) with probation supervision
     

2.3.6
Other (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


Which instrument do you use for electronic monitoring?
• Yes
• No
• Not applicable
B.2.1
Ankle bracelets

B.2.2
Wrist bracelets

B.2.3
Telephone calls

B.2.4
Other (please specify)
     


Comments
     


Please ensure that the sum of the subcategories included in the table is equal to the total. If this is not the case, please provide an explanation under the heading “Comments”.


Table 3: Number of persons that ceased to be under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 (FLOW OF EXITS)

Explanations and Definitions

3.1 Completion
The probation has been completed and is considered as duly accomplished.

3.2 Revocation
The sanction or measure is revoked because of a violation of the conditions imposed. Usually, the person is discharged to custody, even if the probation agencies cannot always verify that the person has actually been incarcerated.

3.3 Imprisonment
The person supervised is incarcerated following the commission of a new offence. If the incarceration is the consequence of the revocation of the sanction or measure for which the person is under probation, please count it under the heading 4.2 (Revocation)

3.4 Absconder
The person supervised has escaped and is no longer under the supervision of probation agencies.

3.5 Death
The person supervised died.


During the year 2024
Numbers
3.0
Total number of exits
     

Of which:
3.1
Completion
     
3.2
Revocation
     
3.3
Imprisonment
     
3.4
Absconder
     
3.5
Death
     

3.5.1. Of which:
(Death by) Suicide
     

3.6
Other (specify)
     

Of which:
     
     



     
     



     
     


Comments
     


Please ensure that the sum of the subcategories included in the table is equal to the total. If this is not the case, please provide an explanation under the heading “Comments”.



Table 4 – criminal offences and probation

Table 4 concerns the types of offences for which probation can be applied. The counting unit remains the person, which means that you are kindly requests to apply the principal offence rule (e.g., a person placed on probation for murder and theft will only be counted as sentenced for murder). If that is not the case, please explain it in the comments section below.



Stock
(total number of persons on 31.01.2025)
Flow of entries during 2024 (number of persons placed on probation during the year)
Flow of exits during 2024 (number of persons that left probation during the year)
4.0
Total
     
     
     

of which
     
     
     
4.1
Offences against persons
     
     
     
4.2
Offences against property
     
     
     
4.3
Drug offences
     
     
     
4.4
Road traffic offences
     
     
     
4.5
Other offences
     
     
     


Please specify the offences included under each heading of the previous table
4.1A
Offences against persons (e.g., homicide, assault, rape, etc.)
     
4.2A
Offences against property (e.g., theft, vandalism, fraud, etc.)
     
4.3A
Drug offences
     
4.4A
Road traffic offences
     
4.5A
Other offences
     

Comments
     


Age of criminal responsibility and minimum age to be placed on probation

The following Table presents the information currently available on the ages of criminal responsibility and criminal majority for most European countries.
Please complete the Table by indicating the minimum age for the application of community sanctions and measures (CSM) and the minimum age for the application of custodial sanctions and measures, as well as the maximum age up to which a person can be considered a “young adult.”
In this context, “young adults” are persons who, although legally considered adults, may receive milder punishments than other adults due to their age and developmental stage (e.g. from 18 to 24 years of age)
If any information in the table is inaccurate, please use the Comments section below to provide corrections and to explain the characteristics of your national system.

Country
Age of criminal responsibility
Minimum age for the application of community sanctions and measures
Minimum age for the application of custodial sanctions and measures
Age of criminal majority
Maximum age for being considered a “young adult”: Up to
Albania
14
     
14
18
     
Andorra
12
12
14
18
21
Armenia
14
16
14
18
18
Austria
14
14
14
18
21
Azerbaijan
14
16
14
18
18
Belgium
16
16
16
18
23
BiH: State level
14
     
14
18
     
BiH: Fed. BiH
14
     
16
18
     
BiH: Rep. Srpska
14
     
14
18
     
Bulgaria
14
     
14
18
     
Croatia
14
18
14
18
21
Cyprus
14
     
14
16
     
Czech Rep.
15
15
15
18
19
Denmark
15
15
15
18
18
Estonia
14
14
14
18
21
Finland
15
15
15
18
20
France
13
13/18
16
18
NAP
Georgia
14
14
14
18
21
Germany
14
     
14
18
21
Greece
12
13
15
18
21
Hungary
14
14
14
18
NAP
Iceland
15
15
15
18
21
Ireland
12
12
12
18
18
Italy
14
14
14
18
25
Latvia
14
11
14
18
18
Liechtenstein
14
14
14
18
21
Lithuania
14
14
14
18
18
Luxembourg
16
18
16
18
     
Malta
14
     
14
18
     
Moldova
14
     
14
18
     
Monaco
13
NAP
13
18
NAP
Montenegro
14
14
16
18
21
Netherlands
12
12
12
18
23
North Macedonia
14
18
16
18
21
Norway
15
15
15
18
25
Poland
13
15
15
17
21
Portugal
16
16
16
21
21
Romania
14
14
14
18
NAP
San Marino
14
     
14
18
     
Serbia
14
14
14
18
18
Slovak Rep.
14/15
14
14
18
21
Slovenia
14
     
16
18/21
     
Spain (State Adm.)
14
     
14
18
     
Spain (Catalonia)
14
     
14
18
     
Sweden
15
15
15
21
21
Switzerland
10
15
15
18
24
Türkiye
12
12
12
18
18
Ukraine
14
14
16
18
35
UK: England and Wales
10
18
15
18
20
UK: Northern Ireland
10
     
10
18
     
UK: Scotland
12
12
16
21
17

Comments on the age of criminal responsibility and the minimum age to be placed on probation
     

Table 5: Socio-demographic characteristics of the population under the supervision of probation agencies


If your data used for Table 1 includes the following categories, how many in STOCK on 31 January 2025 (Table 1)?
If your data used for Table 2 includes the following categories, how many in FLOW of entries during 2024 (Table 2)?
5.1
Minors
     
     
5.2
Females
     
     
5.3
Foreigners
     
     

Instructions on how to calculate the age of the probation population

a)
Calculating the average age: the average age is obtained by dividing the sum of the ages of all probationers by the total number of probationers.
b)
Calculating the median age: when probationers are ordered by age (from the youngest to the oldest), the median age is the age of the probationer that divides the group into two equal halves — one half being younger and the other older than that age.


Age of the probation population
Average
Median

     
     

Comments
     

Section C: Probation agencies on 31 January 2025

Table 6: Staff employed by Probation agencies or working for Probation agencies on 31 January 2025

Explanations and Definitions

The aim of this item is to count all the staff employed by probation agencies. Please calculate the total number of full-time and part-time staff. Part-time staff must be counted on the basis of « full-time equivalents ». For example, if two staff members are each employed for 50% of the normal working hours they will be counted as one « full-time equivalent ». One part-time staff member working for 50% of the normal working hours will be counted as 0.5 “full-time equivalent”.

6.1 and 6.2 Top level executives at the national probation administration and Top level executives at the regional probation administrations
Please include only heads of offices (manager positions) and exclude any administrative and technical staff, which should be included under item 6.8.

6.3 Senior probation officers (chiefs of units)
Senior probation officers are local chiefs of units and are qualified officers employed to manage and account for the work of teams of probation officers and staff.

6.4 Probation officers (qualified Probation staff)
Staff that possess specific qualifications (e.g., diplomas in probation or social work) employed for specific tasks related to supervision of persons under various CSM or probation sanctions and measures.

6.5 Probation agencies officers (unqualified Probation staff)
Staff employed to assist qualified probation officers. Generally, they have no specific qualifications in the probation field, but may have done some short training (e.g., management of the probation files, etc.)

6.6 Paid external staff
Staff employed through specific mandates concluded with partners external to probation agencies (e.g., NGO mandated to settle a mediation, etc.)

6.7 Volunteers
Persons, who are not paid for their work, carrying out probation activities. This does not exclude the payment of a small amount of money to volunteers to cover the expenses of their work.



31 January 2025
Numbers
6.0
Total number of staff
     

Of which:
6.1
Top level executives at the national probation administrations
     
6.2
Top level executives at the regional probation administrations
     
6.3
Senior Probation officers (chiefs of units)
     
6.4
Probation officers (qualified Probation staff)
     
6.5
Probation agencies officers (unqualified Probation staff)
     
6.6
Paid external staff
     
6.7
Volunteers
     
6.8
Other staff (specify)
     



Please ensure that the sum of the subcategories included in the table is equal to the total. If this is not the case, please provide an explanation under the heading “Comments”.



31 January 2025
Numbers
6.8A
Total number of staff that is in direct contact with the persons under the supervision of probation agencies
     

6.8B
Of which
Staff on long-term leave (long-term illness, injury, maternity/paternity leave)
     


6.9
What is the annual budget spent by probation services in your country for the year 2024? 1
      €



Comments
     

Table 7: Reports produced by probation agencies during 2024

The aim of Table 7 is to count the number of reports produced by probation agencies during the year 2024.

7.1 Pre-sentence reports
Number of reports prepared by probation agencies on the request of the courts, prosecution services or police, prior to sentencing.

7.2 Advisory reports with respect to conditional release (Parole)
Number of reports prepared by probation agencies on the request of the courts, prosecution services or any other authority responsible for the conditional release (parole) of a prisoner.


During the year 2024
7.1
Number of pre-sentence reports
     
7.2
Number of advisory reports with respect to conditional release (parole)
     
7.3
Other reports (please specify)
     

Comments
     




Reminder:
Empty cells are always subject to interpretation. Therefore, we ask you to make sure that you did not leave any empty cells and that you have filled all the cells of the questionnaire either with:
- A number, if the category exists in your national law and the information is available;
- The figure 0, if the category exists in your national law and the information is available, but the effective number of records is equal to zero;
- … , if the category exists in your national law but the information is not available; or
- NAP, if the category does NOT exist in your national law.


Please give the name (e-mail, telephone and fax) of the person responsible for completing this questionnaire, so that we may contact him/her for clarification of the answers if necessary.

Name:
     
Function:
     
Address:
     
Phone:
     
Fax:
     
E-mail:
     

Thank you very much







PC-CP (2025) 10
English


European Committee on Crime Problems
(CDPC)



Council for Penological Co-operation
(PC-CP)




SPACE II-2025





“Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics – Persons Serving Non-Custodial Sanctions and Measures in 2025”







SPACE II SURVEY – 2025
Conducted for the Council of Europe by

Prof. Marcelo F. Aebi (PhD) & Ignacio Cid Pozo
University of Lausanne (Switzerland)


PC-CP Website: www.coe.int/prison SPACE Website: www.unil.ch/space


Guidelines on how to answer the questionnaire:
To avoid any ambiguity, one of the following responses and no other, should be entered after each item:
NAP
The question is irrelevant. The item refers to a notion that does not exist in your criminal justice system. (NAP= not applicable).
…
No figures available, but the item refers to a notion that exists in your criminal justice system.
0
The number is zero at the date of reference, but the item refers to a notion that exists in your criminal justice system.
A number other than 0
Indicates the actual number at the date of reference.
Please do not use any symbols (such as “-”, “***” or “/”), nor any abbreviations such as NA, and do not leave any item blank. 
Before completing the questionnaire, we kindly ask you to read the instructions and recommendations for data compilation in their entirety.
Please return the completed questionnaire no later than
15 December 2025
to the following address:

[email protected] (copy to [email protected], [email protected])


In case of any question concerning definitions and/or items used in the present questionnaire, please contact Prof. Marcelo F. Aebi ([email protected], telephone: +41 21 692 46 38), or Ignacio Cid Pozo ([email protected]), telephone: +41 21 692 46 46)

Introduction

The 2025 version of SPACE II considers the persons serving non-custodial and semi-custodial sanctions and measures supervised by probation agencies (or any other equivalent institution). These sanctions and measures are frequently referred to as “alternatives to imprisonment” and most of them are community sanctions and measures (CSM).

According to the Council of Europe’s Recommendation CM/Rec(2017)3, “the expression ‘community sanctions and measures’ means sanctions and measures which maintain suspects or offenders in the community and involve some restrictions on their liberty through the imposition of conditions and/or obligations. The term designates any sanction imposed by a judicial or administrative authority, and any measure taken before or instead of a decision on a sanction, as well as ways of enforcing a sentence of imprisonment outside a prison establishment”.

Persons who are under a sanction or measure alternative to imprisonment are generally under the supervision of the CSM implementing authority, which in the majority of countries, is the probation agency.

Council of Europe’s Recommendation CM/Rec(2014)4 defines a probation agency as “a body responsible for the execution in the community of sanctions and measures defined by law and imposed on an offender. Its tasks include a range of activities and interventions, which involve supervision, guidance and assistance aiming at the social inclusion of offenders, as well as at contributing to community safety. It may also, depending on the national legal system, implement one or more of the following functions: providing information and advice to judicial and other deciding authorities to help them reach informed and just decisions; providing guidance and support to offenders while in custody in order to prepare their release and resettlement; monitoring and assistance to persons subject to early release; restorative justice interventions; and offering assistance to victims of crime. A probation agency may also be, depending on the national legal system, the ‘agency responsible for supervising persons under electronic monitoring’”.

SPACE II is not designed to cover all the existing CSM. The sanctions and measures covered are basically those encouraged by the Council of Europe through the following Recommendations of the Committee of Ministers to member States: Rec(99)19 concerning mediation in penal matters, Rec(99)22 concerning prison overcrowding and prison population inflation, Rec(2003)22 concerning conditional release (parole), CM/Rec(2010)1 on the Council of Europe Probation Rules, CM/Rec(2014)4 on electronic monitoring, and CM/Rec(2017)3 on the European Rules on community sanctions and measures.

The data gathered by the SPACE II survey includes the stock (number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025), the flow of entries (number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies during 2024), the flow of exits (number of persons that have ceased to be under the supervision of probation agencies during 2024), socio-demographic information on these persons, and information on the staff of probation agencies.

Objective of the SPACE II survey and major changes since 2023

In this questionnaire, the concepts of “probation”, “probation supervision”, and “community sanctions and measures” are used in a broad sense, in order to take into account the wide variety of national practices across Europe. None of these concepts is employed in the strict legal sense specific to any particular country.
Thanks to the valuable feedback provided by the SPACE network of national correspondents and considering the evolution of community sanctions and measures in Europe, since 2023 the SPACE II questionnaire has included:
(a) the possibility of reporting the total number of measures in both the stock and the flow, as requested by probation agencies that do not use the person as their counting unit; and
(b) a revised classification of the moment when the measures are served — that is, before sentencing, after sentencing (as alternatives to imprisonment), or after release from a custodial sanction.
The purpose of this questionnaire is to collect and compare, in a reliable manner, information provided by all Member States of the Council of Europe. To enhance the validity of these comparisons, additional questions have been included regarding the content of certain categories. Any supplementary explanations that you may provide concerning the specific features of your national legal system will be duly taken into account. However, we kindly ask you to align your national categories as closely as possible with those proposed by SPACE II, in order to ensure comparability at the European level.

Section A: Metadata

A.1 Status of probation agencies

A.1.1. Are the Probation Administration and the Prison Administration of your country two distinct bodies?

a.
Yes, they are independent (i.e., in our country we have a Probation Administration and a separate Prison Administration)

b.
No, they are not independent (i.e., in our country we have only a Prison and Probation Service)


A.1.2. Under the authority of which official body are the probation agencies placed?
(multiple answers are possible)

a.
Ministry of Justice

b.
Ministry of Interior

c.
Prison Administration (if your Prison administration is under the authority of the Ministry of Justice, please tick categories a and c)

d.
Probation agencies are independent State bodies

e.
Probation agencies are independent private bodies

f.
Probation agencies are mixed (State and private) independent bodies

g.
Probation services do not exist in our country
(If yes, please specify in your comments which is the body responsible for the tasks related to probation)

h.
Other (please specify)


Comments on item A.1
     


A.2. Counting unit: the person (metadata on Tables 1 and 2 of the questionnaire)
We kindly ask you to use the person as the counting unit, rather than the number of cases, measures, files, orders, or verdicts. The objective is to determine the number of persons who were under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 (stock data), as well as the number of persons who entered (flow of entries) and the number of persons who exited (flow of exits) probation supervision during the year 2024 (flow data).

The counting unit is a key element for understanding the use of probation in each country. Its impact can be observed in the figures presented in the publication “Probation and Prisons in Europe: Key Findings of the SPACE Reports” (https://wp.unil.ch/space/publications/probation-and-prison-in-europe/). We strongly encourage you to read this short publication, which illustrates how the use of different counting units can lead to misleading comparisons across countries.
For this reason, if you are unable to provide data on the number of persons on probation, please specify in the comments the counting unit you are using and include a brief explanation of it. In particular, if you count cases (or measures, files, orders, or verdicts), please indicate whether this counting unit:
(a) can refer to several persons, and
(b) can include several forms of probation.
The latter point is especially relevant when completing Section B of the questionnaire. For example, some countries may be able to provide the total number of persons on probation on 31 January, but cannot use that counting unit when breaking down the data by forms of probation being served. This usually occurs when a person is serving several forms of probation and the statistical system counts each form separately. This issue does not arise when the statistical system records only one form of probation per person, typically the most severe.
We kindly ask you to provide this type of information in the comments section whenever applicable.

Do you use the PERSON as the counting unit for the questionnaire?

• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.2.1
Stock indicators

A.2.2
Flow indicators


If you have answered either no or partially regarding any of the given categories, please explain your answer below.

Comments on item A.2
     


A.3. Dates of reference (metadata on Tables 1 and 2 of the questionnaire)
We kindly ask you to provide stock data as of 31 January 2025 and flow data for the year 2024.
The objective is to determine the number of persons who were under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 (stock data), as well as the number of persons who entered (flow of entries) and the number of persons who exited (flow of exits) probation supervision during the year 2024 (flow data).

Do you use 31.01.2025 as the date of reference for STOCK indicators?
• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.3.1
Stock indicators

A.3.2
If no or partially, please indicate the date of reference
     

Do you use the year 2024 as the date of reference for FLOW indicators?
• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.3.3
Flow indicators

A.3.4
If no or partially, please indicate the date of reference
     

If you have answered either no or partially regarding any of the given categories, please explain your answer below.

Comments on item A.3
     


A.4. Sociodemographic characteristics of the probation population of your country
(metadata on Tables 1, 2 and 3 of the questionnaire)

Does the data provided for Tables 1 and 2 include the following categories?
• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.4.1
Minors

A.4.2
Women

A.4.3
Foreigners

A.4.4
Persons included in the total prison population reported by your country when answering the SPACE I questionnaire


A.4.4A
If yes, please indicate how many
     

If you have answered either no or partially regarding any of the given categories, please explain it below.

Comments on item A.4
     



A.5. Types of offences (metadata on Tables 1, 2 and 4 of the questionnaire)

Does the data provided for Tables 1 and 2 include the following categories?
• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.5.1
Offences against persons (e.g., homicide, assault, rape, etc.)

A.5.2
Offences against property (e.g., theft, vandalism, fraud, etc.)

A.5.3
Drug offences

A.5.4
Road traffic offences

A.5.5
Other offences


Do you use the PERSON as the counting unit for the following categories?
• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.5.6
Offences against persons (e.g., homicide, assault, rape, etc.)

A.5.7
Offences against property (e.g., theft, vandalism, fraud, etc.)

A.5.8
Drug offences

A.5.9
Road traffic offences

A.5.10
Other offences


Do you apply a principal offence rule (i.e., only the most serious offence is taken into consideration)?
• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Not applicable
A.5.11
Offences against persons (e.g., homicide, assault, rape, etc.)

A.5.12
Offences against property (e.g., theft, vandalism, fraud, etc.)

A.5.13
Drug offences

A.5.14
Road traffic offences

A.5.15
Other offences


If you have answered either no or partially regarding any of the given categories, please explain your answer below.

Comments on item A.5
     

please provide a comment if you chose none of the available answers (yes/no/partially/not applicable).

Section B: Probationers

REMINDER:
We kindly ask you to provide stock data as of 31 January 2025 and flow data for the year 2024.
Please use the person as the counting unit, rather than the number of cases, measures, files, orders, or verdicts. The objective is to determine the number of persons who were under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 (stock data), as well as the number of persons who entered (flow of entries) and the number of persons who exited (flow of exits) probation supervision during the year 2024 (flow data).

The counting unit is a key element for understanding the use of probation in each country. Its impact can be observed in the figures presented in the publication “Probation and Prisons in Europe: Key Findings of the SPACE Reports” (https://wp.unil.ch/space/publications/probation-and-prison-in-europe/). We strongly encourage you to read this short publication, which illustrates how the use of different counting units can lead to misleading comparisons across countries.
For this reason, if you are unable to provide data on the number of persons on probation, please specify in the comments the counting unit you are using and include a brief explanation of it. In particular, if you count cases (or measures, files, orders, or verdicts), please indicate whether this counting unit:
(a) can refer to several persons, and
(b) can include several forms of probation.
The latter point is especially relevant when completing Section B of the questionnaire. For example, some countries may be able to provide the total number of persons on probation on 31 January, but cannot use that counting unit when breaking down the data by forms of probation being served. This usually occurs when a person is serving several forms of probation and the statistical system counts each form separately. This issue does not arise when the statistical system records only one form of probation per person, typically the most severe.
We kindly ask you to provide this type of information in the comments section whenever applicable.
Table 1.0: Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies and measures being executed on 31 January 2025 (STOCK)

Tables 1.1, 1.2, 1.3: Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 (STOCK)

Table 2.0: Number of persons that were placed under the supervision of probation agencies and measures started during the year 2024 (FLOW of entries)

Tables 2.1, 2.2. 2.3: Number of persons that were placed under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 (FLOW of entries)


EXPLANATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

1.1, 2.1 Forms of probation/supervision before the sentence

1.1.1, 2.1.1 Alternatives to pre-trial detention with supervision by probation agencies (total)
Pre-trial detention is used in this questionnaire as a synonym of remand in custody. Remand in custody is any period of detention of a suspected offender ordered by a judicial authority and prior to conviction; it also includes any period of detention after conviction whenever persons awaiting either sentence or the confirmation of conviction or sentence continue to be treated as unconvicted persons (Rec (2006) 13, ch.1).

1.1.2, 2.1.2 Conditional suspension of the Criminal Proceedings
This item refers to cases where the whole procedure is postponed before the person is found guilty. Indeed, it covers cases where, before any finding of guilt, an authority of the criminal justice system (examining magistrate, court, prosecutor or other) orders the suspension of the procedure for a given time in order to assess the behaviour of the accused person during that period or to allow mediation or conciliation procedure.

1.1.3, 2.1.3 Deferral (postponement of the pronouncement of a sentence)
Cases where the person is found guilty, but the decision on the sentence to be imposed is postponed during a certain period of time in order to appreciate the evolution of the behaviour of the person during that time. At the end of it, and according to the evolution of his/her behaviour, the person can be sentenced, or the proceedings can be filed. Please do not include cases in which the deferral is pronounced without probation.

1.1.4., 2.1.4 Electronic Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring allows the localization of the person using different techniques. Electronic monitoring can be used as an alternative to pre-trial detention or pronounced as a sanction in its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence, or as a condition attached to a conditional release. Please specify under the heading “Comments” whether electronic monitoring is used exclusively with home arrest. If electronic monitoring is combined with home arrest, please include it under item 1.1.5A (stock) and 2.1.5A (flow). If electronic monitoring is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.1.7 (stock) and 2.1.7 (flow).

1.1.5A, 1.1.5B, 2.1.5A, 2.1.5B Home Arrest with or without electronic monitoring
The person is required to remain in a permanent way at his/her residence. Home arrest can be used as an alternative to pre-trial detention or pronounced as a sanction in its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence, or as a condition attached to a conditional release. If, in your country, home arrest is used exclusively with Electronic Monitoring, please indicate it under the heading “Comments”. If home arrest is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.1.7 (stock) and 2.1.7 (flow).

1.1.6, 2.1.6 Victim-offender mediation
Mediation is a way of resolving conflicts or differences of interests between the offender and the victim. It is not a CSM, but it is sometimes handled by probation agencies.

1.2, 2.2 Forms of probation/supervision after the sentence (i.e., as alternatives to imprisonment)

1.2.1, 2.2.1 Mixed sanctions or measures
Two or several types of CSM ordered at the same time or that supplement each other during the execution of the sentence (e.g., home arrest with electronic monitoring). Please specify the applied combinations in the subcategories of item 1.2.1, respectively 2.2.1.

1.2.2, 2.2.2 Fully suspended custodial sentence with probation
The judge can attach conditions to the suspension of a sentence during a given period. The person has been sentenced to imprisonment, but the enforcement of the sanction is suspended, and the person remains under the obligation to conform to the conditions imposed.

1.2.3, 2.2.3 Conditional pardon or conditional discharge (with probation)
The pardon or the discharge are granted if the attached requirements (e.g., payment of the damages to the victim, detoxification therapy, etc.) have been fulfilled during a given period of time. The conditional pardon can be pronounced after a sentence has been imposed. The discharge can be pronounced when the person is found guilty (i.e., before the sentence is imposed).

1.2.4, 2.2.4 Community Service
Community service consists in unpaid work for the benefit of society. Community service can be pronounced as a sanction on its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence or a conditional release, as well as a supplementary sanction. If community service is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.2.1 (stock) and 2.2.1 (flow).

1.2.5., 2.2.5 Electronic Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring allows the localization of the person using different techniques. Electronic monitoring can be used as an alternative to pre-trial detention or pronounced as a sanction in its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence, or as a condition attached to a conditional release. Please specify under the heading “Comments” whether electronic monitoring is used exclusively with home arrest. If electronic monitoring is combined with home arrest, please include it under item 1.2.6A (stock) and 2.2.6A (flow). If electronic monitoring is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.2.1 (stock) and 2.2.1 (flow).

1.2.6A, 1.2.6B, 2.2.6A, 2.2.6B Home Arrest with or without electronic monitoring
The person is required to remain in a permanent way at his/her residence. Home arrest can be used as an alternative to pre-trial detention or pronounced as a sanction in its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence, or as a condition attached to a conditional release. If, in your country, home arrest is used exclusively with Electronic Monitoring, please indicate it under the heading “Comments”. If home arrest is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.2.1 (stock) and 2.2.1 (flow).

1.2.7, 2.2.7 Treatment
Treatment requirements can be pronounced at different stages of criminal proceedings. These may concern treatment provided for drug-dependent, alcohol-addicted offenders, as well as offenders with mental disorders and persons convicted for sexual offence.

1.3, 2.3 Forms of probation/supervision after release from custodial sentence

1.3.1., 2.3.1 Electronic Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring allows the localization of the person using different techniques. Electronic monitoring can be used as an alternative to pre-trial detention or pronounced as a sanction in its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence, or as a condition attached to a conditional release. Please specify under the heading “Comments” whether electronic monitoring is used exclusively with home arrest. If electronic monitoring is combined with home arrest, please include it under item 1.3.2A (stock) and 2.3.2A (flow). If electronic monitoring is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.3.5 (stock) and 2.3.5 (flow).

1.3.2A, 1.3.2B, 2.3.2A, 2.3.2B Home Arrest with or without electronic monitoring
The person is required to remain in a permanent way at his/her residence. Home arrest can be used as an alternative to pre-trial detention or pronounced as a sanction in its own right, as a condition attached to a suspended or conditional sentence, or as a condition attached to a conditional release. If, in your country, home arrest is used exclusively with Electronic Monitoring, please indicate it under the heading “Comments”. If home arrest is combined with another CSM, please include it under item 1.3.5 (stock) and 2.3.5 (flow).

1.3.3, 2.3.3 Partially suspended custodial sentence with probation
The partial suspension allows the judge to pronounce a sentence of imprisonment of which a part is served under custody and the other is suspended. In this category are also counted periodical prison stays (e.g., semi-custodial sanctions) accompanied by probation supervision during the rest of the time.

1.3.4, 2.3.4 Semi-liberty (including weekend imprisonment and imprisonment on separate days)
Under this regime, the offender must spend a certain amount of time in the community and a certain amount of time in prison. The time spent in prison can be placed at different times. For example, the person may be obliged to spend the nights, the weekends or certain days in prison.

1.3.5, 2.3.5, Conditional release (Parole) with probation supervision
Conditional release of a prisoner before the end of his/her sentence (also known as parole) under individual/specific conditions


Before entering your data into Tables 1 and 2, please read carefully the definitions and explanations/rules provided above. If necessary, please adjust the categories used in your national statistics to correspond with the categories of the present questionnaire.


Table 1.0: Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 and measures being executed on the same date (STOCK)

31 January 2025
Numbers
Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies and measures being executed
Persons
Measures
1.0
Total

     
     
Of which:
1.1
Before the sentence
     
     

1.2
After the sentence (i.e., sanctions or measures applied as an alternative to imprisonment)
     
     

1.3
After release from custodial sentence
     
     

Table 1.1: Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 before the sentence (STOCK)

31 January 2025
Numbers
1.1
Number of persons supervised before the sentence: Total
     

Of which: Persons supervised due to:


1.1.1
Alternatives to pre-trial detention with supervision by probation agencies (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


1.1.2
Conditional suspension of criminal proceedings
     

1.1.3
Deferral (postponement of the pronouncement of a sentence)
     

1.1.4
Electronic Monitoring
     

1.1.5A
Home arrest (curfew orders) with electronic monitoring
     

1.1.5B
Home arrest (curfew orders) without electronic monitoring
     

1.1.6
Victim-offender mediation
     

1.1.7
Other (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     



Table 1.2: Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 after the sentence (STOCK)

Please include in this Table the persons who, instead of entering a penal institution, serve a sanction or measure in the community—that is, cases where sanctions and measures are used as alternatives to imprisonment.

31 January 2025
Numbers
1.2
Number of persons supervised after the sentence (i.e., as alternatives to imprisonment): Total
     

Of which: Persons supervised due to:


1.2.1
Mixed sanctions or measures (please specify)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


1.2.2
Fully suspended custodial sentence with probation
     

1.2.3
Conditional pardon or conditional discharge (with probation)
     

1.2.4
Community service
     

1.2.5
Electronic monitoring
     

1.2.6A
Home arrest (curfew orders) with electronic monitoring
     

1.2.6B
Home arrest (curfew orders) without electronic monitoring
     

1.2.7
Treatment
     

1.2.8
Other (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


Table 1.3: Number of persons under the supervision of probation agencies on 31 January 2025 after release from custodial sentence (STOCK)

31 January 2025
Numbers
1.3
Number of persons supervised after release from custodial sentence (i.e. inmates conditionally released): Total
     

Of which: Persons supervised due to:


1.3.1
Electronic monitoring
     

1.3.2A
Home arrest with electronic monitoring
     

1.3.2B
Home arrest without electronic monitoring
     

1.3.3
Partially suspended custodial sentence with probation
     

1.3.4
Semi-liberty
     

1.3.5
Conditional release (Parole) with probation supervision
     

1.3.6
Other (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


Which instrument do you use for electronic monitoring?
• Yes
• No
• Not applicable
B.1.1
Ankle bracelets

B.1.2
Wrist bracelets

B.1.3
Telephone calls

B.1.4
Other (please specify)
     


Comments
     


Please ensure that the sum of the subcategories included in the table is equal to the total. If this is not the case, please provide an explanation under the heading “Comments”.



Table 2.0: Number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 and number of measures initiated during the same year (FLOW OF ENTRIES)

During 2024
Numbers
Number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 and number of measures initiated during the same year
Persons
Measures
2.0
Total

     
     
Of which:
2.1
Before the sentence
     
     

2.2
After the sentence (i.e., sanctions or measures applied as an alternative to imprisonment)
     
     

2.3
After release from custodial sentence
     
     

Table 2.1: Number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 before the sentence (FLOW OF ENTRIES)

During 2024
Numbers
2.1
Number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies before the sentence: Total
     

Of which: Persons placed under supervision due to:


2.1.1
Alternatives to pre-trial detention with supervision by probation agencies (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


2.1.2
Conditional suspension of criminal proceedings
     

2.1.3
Deferral (postponement of the pronouncement of a sentence)
     

2.1.4
Electronic Monitoring
     

2.1.5A
Home arrest (curfew orders) with electronic monitoring
     

2.1.5B
Home arrest (curfew orders) without electronic monitoring
     

2.1.6
Victim-offender mediation
     

2.1.7
Other (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     



Table 2.2: Number of persons that were placed under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 after the sentence (FLOW OF ENTRIES)

Please include in this Table the persons who, instead of entering into a penal institution, serve a sanction or measure in the community (i.e., sanctions and measures are used as an alternative to imprisonment).

During 2024
Numbers
2.2
Number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies after the sentence: Total
     

Of which: Persons placed under supervision due to:


2.2.1
Mixed sanctions or measures (please specify)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


2.2.2
Fully suspended custodial sentence with probation
     

2.2.3
Conditional Pardon or conditional discharge (with probation)
     

2.2.4
Community service
     

2.2.5
Electronic Monitoring
     

2.2.6A
Home arrest (curfew orders) with electronic monitoring
     

2.2.6B
Home arrest (curfew orders) without electronic monitoring


2.2.7
Treatment
     

2.2.8
Other (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


Table 2.3: Number of persons that were placed under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 after release from custodial sentence (FLOW OF ENTRIES)

31 January 2024
Numbers
2.3
Number of persons placed under the supervision of probation agencies after release from custodial sentence: Total
     

Of which: Persons placed under supervision due to:


2.3.1
Electronic monitoring
     

2.3.2A
Home arrest with electronic monitoring
     

2.3.2B
Home arrest without electronic monitoring
     

2.3.3
Partially suspended custodial sentence with probation
     

2.3.4
Semi-liberty
     

2.3.5
Conditional release (Parole) with probation supervision


2.3.6
Other (total)
     


Of which:
     
     




     
     




     
     


Which instrument do you use for electronic monitoring?
• Yes
• No
• Not applicable
B.2.1
Ankle bracelets

B.2.2
Wrist bracelets

B.2.3
Telephone calls

B.2.4
Other (please specify)
     


Comments
     


Please ensure that the sum of the subcategories included in the table is equal to the total. If this is not the case, please provide an explanation under the heading “Comments”.


Table 3: Number of persons that ceased to be under the supervision of probation agencies during the year 2024 (FLOW OF EXITS)

Explanations and Definitions

3.1 Completion
The probation has been completed and is considered as duly accomplished.

3.2 Revocation
The sanction or measure is revoked because of a violation of the conditions imposed. Usually, the person is discharged to custody, even if the probation agencies cannot always verify that the person has actually been incarcerated.

3.3 Imprisonment
The person supervised is incarcerated following the commission of a new offence. If the incarceration is the consequence of the revocation of the sanction or measure for which the person is under probation, please count it under the heading 4.2 (Revocation)

3.4 Absconder
The person supervised has escaped and is no longer under the supervision of probation agencies.

3.5 Death
The person supervised died.


During the year 2024
Numbers
3.0
Total number of exits
     

Of which:
3.1
Completion
     
3.2
Revocation
     
3.3
Imprisonment
     
3.4
Absconder
     
3.5
Death
     

3.5.1. Of which:
(Death by) Suicide
     

3.6
Other (specify)
     

Of which:
     
     



     
     



     
     


Comments
     


Please ensure that the sum of the subcategories included in the table is equal to the total. If this is not the case, please provide an explanation under the heading “Comments”.



Table 4 – criminal offences and probation

Table 4 concerns the types of offences for which probation can be applied. The counting unit remains the person, which means that you are kindly requests to apply the principal offence rule (e.g., a person placed on probation for murder and theft will only be counted as sentenced for murder). If that is not the case, please explain it in the comments section below.



Stock
(total number of persons on 31.01.2025)
Flow of entries during 2024 (number of persons placed on probation during the year)
Flow of exits during 2024 (number of persons that left probation during the year)
4.0
Total
     
     
     

of which
     
     
     
4.1
Offences against persons
     
     
     
4.2
Offences against property
     
     
     
4.3
Drug offences
     
     
     
4.4
Road traffic offences
     
     
     
4.5
Other offences
     
     
     


Please specify the offences included under each heading of the previous table
4.1A
Offences against persons (e.g., homicide, assault, rape, etc.)
     
4.2A
Offences against property (e.g., theft, vandalism, fraud, etc.)
     
4.3A
Drug offences
     
4.4A
Road traffic offences
     
4.5A
Other offences
     

Comments
     


Age of criminal responsibility and minimum age to be placed on probation

The following Table presents the information currently available on the ages of criminal responsibility and criminal majority for most European countries.
Please complete the Table by indicating the minimum age for the application of community sanctions and measures (CSM) and the minimum age for the application of custodial sanctions and measures, as well as the maximum age up to which a person can be considered a “young adult.”
In this context, “young adults” are persons who, although legally considered adults, may receive milder punishments than other adults due to their age and developmental stage (e.g. from 18 to 24 years of age)
If any information in the table is inaccurate, please use the Comments section below to provide corrections and to explain the characteristics of your national system.

Country
Age of criminal responsibility
Minimum age for the application of community sanctions and measures
Minimum age for the application of custodial sanctions and measures
Age of criminal majority
Maximum age for being considered a “young adult”: Up to
Albania
14
     
14
18
     
Andorra
12
12
14
18
21
Armenia
14
16
14
18
18
Austria
14
14
14
18
21
Azerbaijan
14
16
14
18
18
Belgium
16
16
16
18
23
BiH: State level
14
     
14
18
     
BiH: Fed. BiH
14
     
16
18
     
BiH: Rep. Srpska
14
     
14
18
     
Bulgaria
14
     
14
18
     
Croatia
14
18
14
18
21
Cyprus
14
     
14
16
     
Czech Rep.
15
15
15
18
19
Denmark
15
15
15
18
18
Estonia
14
14
14
18
21
Finland
15
15
15
18
20
France
13
13/18
16
18
NAP
Georgia
14
14
14
18
21
Germany
14
     
14
18
21
Greece
12
13
15
18
21
Hungary
14
14
14
18
NAP
Iceland
15
15
15
18
21
Ireland
12
12
12
18
18
Italy
14
14
14
18
25
Latvia
14
11
14
18
18
Liechtenstein
14
14
14
18
21
Lithuania
14
14
14
18
18
Luxembourg
16
18
16
18
     
Malta
14
     
14
18
     
Moldova
14
     
14
18
     
Monaco
13
NAP
13
18
NAP
Montenegro
14
14
16
18
21
Netherlands
12
12
12
18
23
North Macedonia
14
18
16
18
21
Norway
15
15
15
18
25
Poland
13
15
15
17
21
Portugal
16
16
16
21
21
Romania
14
14
14
18
NAP
San Marino
14
     
14
18
     
Serbia
14
14
14
18
18
Slovak Rep.
14/15
14
14
18
21
Slovenia
14
     
16
18/21
     
Spain (State Adm.)
14
     
14
18
     
Spain (Catalonia)
14
     
14
18
     
Sweden
15
15
15
21
21
Switzerland
10
15
15
18
24
Türkiye
12
12
12
18
18
Ukraine
14
14
16
18
35
UK: England and Wales
10
18
15
18
20
UK: Northern Ireland
10
     
10
18
     
UK: Scotland
12
12
16
21
17

Comments on the age of criminal responsibility and the minimum age to be placed on probation
     

Table 5: Socio-demographic characteristics of the population under the supervision of probation agencies


If your data used for Table 1 includes the following categories, how many in STOCK on 31 January 2025 (Table 1)?
If your data used for Table 2 includes the following categories, how many in FLOW of entries during 2024 (Table 2)?
5.1
Minors
     
     
5.2
Females
     
     
5.3
Foreigners
     
     

Instructions on how to calculate the age of the probation population

a)
Calculating the average age: the average age is obtained by dividing the sum of the ages of all probationers by the total number of probationers.
b)
Calculating the median age: when probationers are ordered by age (from the youngest to the oldest), the median age is the age of the probationer that divides the group into two equal halves — one half being younger and the other older than that age.


Age of the probation population
Average
Median

     
     

Comments
     

Section C: Probation agencies on 31 January 2025

Table 6: Staff employed by Probation agencies or working for Probation agencies on 31 January 2025

Explanations and Definitions

The aim of this item is to count all the staff employed by probation agencies. Please calculate the total number of full-time and part-time staff. Part-time staff must be counted on the basis of « full-time equivalents ». For example, if two staff members are each employed for 50% of the normal working hours they will be counted as one « full-time equivalent ». One part-time staff member working for 50% of the normal working hours will be counted as 0.5 “full-time equivalent”.

6.1 and 6.2 Top level executives at the national probation administration and Top level executives at the regional probation administrations
Please include only heads of offices (manager positions) and exclude any administrative and technical staff, which should be included under item 6.8.

6.3 Senior probation officers (chiefs of units)
Senior probation officers are local chiefs of units and are qualified officers employed to manage and account for the work of teams of probation officers and staff.

6.4 Probation officers (qualified Probation staff)
Staff that possess specific qualifications (e.g., diplomas in probation or social work) employed for specific tasks related to supervision of persons under various CSM or probation sanctions and measures.

6.5 Probation agencies officers (unqualified Probation staff)
Staff employed to assist qualified probation officers. Generally, they have no specific qualifications in the probation field, but may have done some short training (e.g., management of the probation files, etc.)

6.6 Paid external staff
Staff employed through specific mandates concluded with partners external to probation agencies (e.g., NGO mandated to settle a mediation, etc.)

6.7 Volunteers
Persons, who are not paid for their work, carrying out probation activities. This does not exclude the payment of a small amount of money to volunteers to cover the expenses of their work.



31 January 2025
Numbers
6.0
Total number of staff
     

Of which:
6.1
Top level executives at the national probation administrations
     
6.2
Top level executives at the regional probation administrations
     
6.3
Senior Probation officers (chiefs of units)
     
6.4
Probation officers (qualified Probation staff)
     
6.5
Probation agencies officers (unqualified Probation staff)
     
6.6
Paid external staff
     
6.7
Volunteers
     
6.8
Other staff (specify)
     



Please ensure that the sum of the subcategories included in the table is equal to the total. If this is not the case, please provide an explanation under the heading “Comments”.



31 January 2025
Numbers
6.8A
Total number of staff that is in direct contact with the persons under the supervision of probation agencies
     

6.8B
Of which
Staff on long-term leave (long-term illness, injury, maternity/paternity leave)
     


6.9
What is the annual budget spent by probation services in your country for the year 2024? 1
      €



Comments
     

Table 7: Reports produced by probation agencies during 2024

The aim of Table 7 is to count the number of reports produced by probation agencies during the year 2024.

7.1 Pre-sentence reports
Number of reports prepared by probation agencies on the request of the courts, prosecution services or police, prior to sentencing.

7.2 Advisory reports with respect to conditional release (Parole)
Number of reports prepared by probation agencies on the request of the courts, prosecution services or any other authority responsible for the conditional release (parole) of a prisoner.


During the year 2024
7.1
Number of pre-sentence reports
     
7.2
Number of advisory reports with respect to conditional release (parole)
     
7.3
Other reports (please specify)
     

Comments
     




Reminder:
Empty cells are always subject to interpretation. Therefore, we ask you to make sure that you did not leave any empty cells and that you have filled all the cells of the questionnaire either with:
- A number, if the category exists in your national law and the information is available;
- The figure 0, if the category exists in your national law and the information is available, but the effective number of records is equal to zero;
- … , if the category exists in your national law but the information is not available; or
- NAP, if the category does NOT exist in your national law.


Please give the name (e-mail, telephone and fax) of the person responsible for completing this questionnaire, so that we may contact him/her for clarification of the answers if necessary.

Name:
     
Function:
     
Address:
     
Phone:
     
Fax:
     
E-mail:
     

Thank you very much