News
Sharing insights on reactive aggression and virtual reality training at HUB of Justice
Inês de Castro and Sofia Almeida from IPS were speakers at a national event on reactive aggression and training strategies using virtual reality (VR), which brought together a diverse group of professionals from the justice sector. The event was part of the activity programme of HUB of Justice, the Competence Center for Innovation and Digital Transformation in the Portuguese Justice sector.
IPS contributes to strategic foresight on radicalisation trends in the Nordic Region
During two foresight workshops on the extremist landscape in the Nordic region by 2035, 16 leading P/CVE experts and professional foresight practitioners worked side by side in the first foresight project of the EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation.
Shaping the future of rehabilitation with immersive tools and smart systems at ICPA 2025
IPS was among more than 700 participants from 91 countries, including correctional leaders, professionals, researchers, and representatives from the public, private, and non-profit sectors, who attended the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) 2025 Annual Conference, held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from October 26 to 31.
FUTURE-ART: A new IPS-partnered initiative that seeks to prevent and build resilience against human trafficking through art and education
The new FUTURE-ART partnership aims to use art to raise awareness and empower young people against human trafficking, through education, creativity, and collaboration. The initiative brings together organisations from six European countries.
Lisbon hosts european event on International Justice and Memory of the Balkan Conflicts
IPS recently hosted the Final National Event of the European NO-OBLIVION initiative in Lisbon, a project dedicated to reflecting on the conflicts of the former Yugoslavia through a victim-centred and legal lens.
New database supports judicial practitioners apply fairer pre-trial supervision in EU cross-border cases
The online database on pre-trial supervision measures covers Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal, Romania, and Spain, providing insights into how these Member States apply pre-trial supervision measures. This is the newest resource out of the IPS-partnered EPHESUS initiative, which has released a collection of guiding resources designed to help legal practitioners deepen their understanding of alternative instruments to the European Arrest Warrant (EAW).
IPS-partnered initiative empowering the integration of youngsters in refugee-like situations shortlisted for the 2025 European Social Services Awards
Over the past three years, the REFUGIN project has been fostering the long-term integration of youngsters in refugee-like situations, ensuring a safe new place in their new communities. This commitment has now been recognised with a nomination in the Research for Social Services category at the European Social Services Awards.
Celebrating the 2025 United Nations Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers
Pedro das Neves, CEO of IPS, attended the 2025 United Nations Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers, held in New York from October 6–10. During the event, Pedro delivered two presentations highlighting the importance of global cooperation and innovative strategies to enhance mental health within the justice and corrections sectors.
IPS showcases virtual reality solutions for skills development and stress management at Berlin workshop
At the “Empowering Practice, Enhancing Prevention – Training Strategies for Professionals Working with Harmful and Distressing Content” workshop held in Berlin on 25–26 September 2025, IPS presented how Virtual Reality (VR) technologies can enhance skills development and stress management among professionals exposed to challenging or distressing content.
IN2PREV Final Conference highlights cross-sector collaboration for refugee inclusion and radicalisation prevention
The IPS-partnered initiative IN2PREV held its final conference last week, bringing together around 50 participants to discuss and advance the impact of this initiative dedicated to preventing radicalisation through the successful inclusion of refugees.
Standing united against hate: A national effort to prevent and tackle hate crime and hate speech in Portugal
IPS is partnering in a new national initiative aimed at strengthening and unifying the response to hate dynamics across Portugal. Bringing together 10 Portuguese partner organisations from diverse sectors, including civil society, academia, law enforcement, technology, and media, the initiative seeks to foster collaboration and drive meaningful change.
IPS showcases innovative paths against extremism at 7th Nordic Conference
At the 7th Nordic Conference in Aarhus, Denmark, IPS Innovative Prison Systems presented three initiatives that bring research and innovation to the fight against extremism at both local and international levels.
Discussing proportionate penal sanctions at the 30th Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation
The 30th Council of Europe Annual Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services (CDPPS) took place in Kraków, Poland, on 24–25 September 2025. For the 9th time in attendance, Pedro das Neves describes the event as an important occasion for reflection, learning, and the exchange of experiences on reducing the overuse of penal sanctions.
IPS joins AI Summit addressing Justice, Safety, and Security
From September 9–10, 2025, IPS attended the Justice, Public Safety, and Security Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit organised by the IJIS Institute in Virginia, Colorado. The gathering served for government officials and industry experts to exchange insights on how AI can be applied in the fields of justice and public safety, showcasing its potential to drive innovation and positive impact on our society.
IPS at ACA’s 155th Congress of Correction in Denver
IPS attended the 155th Congress of Correction of the American Correctional Association, held in Denver, Colorado, from August 21 to 26, 2025. Once again, the event brought together correctional professionals, policymakers, academics, and industry leaders dedicated to advancing corrections and strengthening public safety.
JUSTICE TRENDS Magazine Launches 14th Edition: Expanding the Frontiers of Rehabilitation Support
The 14th edition of JUSTICE TRENDS Magazine has been released, offering a comprehensive exploration of how criminal justice systems are embracing innovation to strengthen rehabilitation.
Pioneering new approaches to the integration of people who have been sentenced: Key insights for correctional professionals across Europe
In a groundbreaking effort to enhance vocational education and training within the correctional sector, the IPS-partnered PROMOTE initiative has successfully concluded its initial phase of comprehensive research and development. This lays the foundation for a unique European skills ecosystem dedicated to improving the integration of people who have been sentenced.
Older women in prison: Exploring intersectional vulnerabilities and sharing insights with the scientific community
Two high-profile scientific events provided a platform for presenting the ongoing doctoral research carried out by IPS’ PhD fellow, Sílvia Bernardo. The presentations underscored the importance of recognising individuals in situations of special vulnerability in prison—particularly older women—while calling for transformative change in justice systems.