Becoming a prison rehabilitation and probation officer (CPIP) in France

The prison rehabilitation and probation officer (conseiller pénitentiaire d’insertion et de probation, CPIP) supports people convicted by the courts, in prison or in the community, to prevent reoffending and encourage reintegration. They are civil servants of the French Ministry of Justice, recruited by competitive exam. The job draws on criminology, law and psychology, and attracts many psychology students interested in the justice system. This profile is part of our guide to careers in psychology.

What does a CPIP do?

The CPIP works with people under judicial supervision: prisoners, and people serving a sentence in the community (probation, community service, electronic tagging, parole). They assess their situation, the risk of reoffending and their needs, then put suitable follow-up in place. They report to judges, especially the sentence enforcement judge.

What are the duties of a CPIP?

• Assess the personal, social and criminal situation of the people followed.
• Monitor the enforcement of sentences and compliance with the obligations set by the judge.
• Prevent reoffending through individual interviews and group programmes.
• Prepare release from prison: housing, employment, care, family ties.
• Write reports for judges and propose sentence adjustments.
• Work in a network with partners: health, integration, housing, associations.

Skills and qualities of a CPIP

The job requires strong analytical skills, listening without complacency, composure, good knowledge of criminal law and procedure, and excellent writing. You also need to hold a position of authority while building a relationship of trust.

What psychology brings

Knowledge of clinical psychology, psychopathology, social psychology and criminology helps understand offending behaviour, assess risk and protective factors, and conduct motivational interviews. The CPIP does not provide care, but often works with the psychologists and psychiatrists who follow the people concerned, notably under court-ordered treatment.

Competitive exam and training

To become a CPIP, you must pass a French Ministry of Justice competitive exam: external, internal or third exam. The external exam is open to holders of a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent diploma. Successful candidates follow 24 months of paid training at ENAP in Agen, alternating teaching and placements in prison services.

And for ESPÉ graduates?

ESPÉ’s Bachelor in Psychology provides knowledge directly useful for this job. ESPÉ degrees are institutional degrees: before registering, check with the Ministry of Justice that your degree is accepted, or apply for a diploma equivalence. See our degrees and their recognition.

Pay and working conditions of a CPIP

The CPIP is a category A civil servant. Pay follows the Ministry of Justice’s category A scale, plus allowances. The work takes place in prison rehabilitation and probation services, in the community or in prisons.

Career prospects for a CPIP

A CPIP can become a prison rehabilitation and probation director through a competitive exam, specialise (reoffending prevention programmes, specific groups) or join ENAP as a trainer.

Why become a CPIP?

It is a demanding job, at the heart of justice and society, that contributes to everyone’s safety by encouraging reintegration. It suits people interested in offending behaviour, law and supporting people in great difficulty.