Probation in Europe is the most comprehensive survey of probation systems and probation services in Europe today. Probation systems and services in 32 European countries have extensively been described by esteemed scholars and experts in the field. Treated topics are the historical development, legislative basis, organisation of probation services, new developments, and more. Recent figures and statistics illustrate the facts. By using one format to describe the different national probation service systems, a comparison between the countries is made easy. In addition, for every country there is a list of books and articles which have (had) a profound influence on the national probation service or which is indispensable to understand the probation organisation. A glossary has been inserted of all the legal terms in the field of probation that are used in the book.

In recent years, the increased importance of probation in all criminal justice systems in Europe has brought about an unprecedented dynamism in the sector of probation. The Council of Europe is preparing recommendations for probation in Europe, which should lead to a quality standard for probation in Europe. The European Union is working on a framework decision on transfer of conditional and suspended sentences, alternative sanctions and probation measures. In the academic world, there is more and more interest in the effectiveness of probation methods and the underlying processes which lead to successful probation practice, which can be seen as the beginning of a 'science of probation'. Thus with a truly 'European probation' in the making, the desire to exchange information on probation matters at a European level is growing.

In this constellation, Probation in Europe is an essential reference work for judges, public prosecution officers, probation and prison officers, forensic experts, lawyers, offenders, researchers, and law makers.