Four criminal justice networks get to know each other at Criminal Justice Platform Europe

Publication date: 22-12-2011

Article:

Late October 2011, an extraordinary event took place in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Four European organisations from the criminal justice field met for the first time to establish an alliance between four organisations in the field of prison, probation, victim support and restorative justice. The shared aim is to reduce reoffending and the impact of crime and to improve methods of working with victims, communities and offenders across all the countries of Europe. Senior officials look back in this article on the meeting and the idea behind the Criminal Justice Platform Europe.

Discover common interests
David McKenna, President of Victim Support Europe, was happy to represent his organisation at the first meeting of Criminal Justice Platform Europe. "It provided an interesting opportunity," he explains about his motivation to attend, "to identify common areas of interest where the different organisations can work together to form a stronger voice." Around the table, representatives from each organisation engaged in an organised brainstorm session lead by John Scott, former CEP President. The four organisations share many of the same values but David McKenna does make another observation: "It is important to realise that we are not identical and we must therefore be respectful towards each other differences, while supporting each other's strengths."

A shared voice on a European and a national level
To become more influential with a shared message is a wish that all the participants agree on. Chairman of the European Forum for Restorative Justice, Niall Kearney is particularly keen on new ways to approach the EU: "A united approach on issues of common interest will communicate loudly to the European Commission and Parliament about much needed reforms particularly with regard to funding streams and a more joined-up-approach to justice matters." Marc Cerón, President of CEP, also agrees with this point. In his opinion, the Platform can reach both  the European and also the national levels. "I think that our joined efforts can not only influence the European institutions, but also support the members of our organisations, especially when trying to secure funds for our own organisation and to finance initiatives in the field of criminal justice."

Representatives of EuroPris, the new European organisation for the prison sector in Europe, were the fourth party around the table. Although the process had been going on over a longer period of time, it was only one day after the formal establishment of EuroPris that the meeting in Rotterdam took place. Peter van der Sande,  board member of EuroPris and President of ICPA (International Corrections and Prisons Association), does believe that the Platform is also of value to EuroPris. "The Platform is an opportunity to learn from the others. While we represent a different group, there are similarities in the way we work. I think we can all learn from each other in ideas and experiences."

Plans for 2012
The intention is that the leadership of the four founding organisations will meet three times during the year to oversee the development of the Platform. The agenda will be shared with all members of the organisations and the relevant European bodies, taking the first steps to speak out with one voice.