In 2019, the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) awarded the Croatian Probation Service as the best probation service in the "Development of National Probation Services" category. Through project activities, we want to further strengthen the existing capacities and improve the quality of work of the probation service. Also, by participating in project activities, we will ensure the strengthening of the knowledge and competencies of probation officers. Lifelong learning, high-quality and continuous education represents protection for officials and contributes to more competent decision-making related to risk assessment. At the same time, education, empowerment, improvement of personal and professional competences reduce the risk of burnout to which they are exposed. It also ensures a higher quality of work with offenders, and our ultimate goal is to improve the competitiveness, competence and motivation to change the offenders we work with.
The Probation Service in Croatia is part of the Ministry of Justice and Administration, Directorate for the Prison System and Probation. It is a professional and specialized service, within the criminal justice system, which supervises offenders and provides them with support in the community, while reducing the costs of imprisonment and the risk of re-offending. Our mission is to protect the public and reduce the risk of recidivism through the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society. Working with offenders with the aim of rehabilitation, the probation department implements various non-formal learning programs and treatment programs in order for convicts to adopt new life and social skills and successfully reintegrate into society. In order to adequately and qualitatively respond to the specific needs of the convicts we work with, it is vital that probation officers continuously educate and improve within the specific area of probation.