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Plenary: What Travels Well in Probation? Global Lessons, Practical Ideas & Transformative Practices
SESSION INFO
Monday, August 17, 2026
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Session Type: Plenary
As community supervision agencies across the world navigate increasingly complex challenges, opportunities continue to emerge through global collaboration, shared learning, and the exchange of practical ideas across borders.
This APPA international plenary brings together probation and parole leaders from multiple countries for an engaging moderated conversation exploring the innovative practices, leadership philosophies, and day-to-day approaches shaping community supervision efforts around the globe. Moderated by Julie Truschel, CEO and Founder of the Supervision Around the World Project, the discussion will focus on practical lessons and transformative ideas that may “travel well” across agencies, cultures, and systems.
Through candid discussion and storytelling, panelists will explore topics such as officer wellness, staff development, rehabilitation initiatives, organizational culture, compassionate justice, morale-building, and the realities of supporting both professionals and justice-involved individuals in evolving correctional environments.
Designed to be interactive, practical, and thought-provoking, attendees will leave with fresh perspectives, actionable ideas, and a renewed appreciation for the shared mission connecting community supervision professionals worldwide.
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SESSION PRESENTERS
Ioan Durnescu
Professor, University of Bucharest
Dr. Ioan Durnescu is a professor at the University of Bucharest's Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, where he engages in the teaching and research of probation, prison reform, and deradicalization. His academic interests are deeply rooted in the comparative study of probation systems, the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals, and the development of effective interventions with justice-involved persons.
Iason Nachkebia
Head of the Analytical Department, National Agency for Crime Prevention, Execution of Non-Custodial Sentences and Probation
Iason Nachkebia is the Head of the Analytical Department at the National Agency for Crime Prevention, Execution of Non-Custodial Sentences and Probation under the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. In his current role, Iason oversees the agency’s research and analytics, policy and capacity development, and international relations. Since 2023, he has been a member of the Expert Group on Technology at the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) and since 2025, a member of the International Relations Committee of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA). Before joining the agency in 2021, Iason held managerial positions in the Strategic Communications Department of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia. He is a graduate of Tbilisi State University, the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, and the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).
Julie Truschel
CEO, SAW Project
Julie Truschel, CEO/Founder of Supervision Around the World (SAW) Project leads the SAW Project , which connects and documents community supervision and restorative programs across continents. Her research highlights practical models of Compassionate Justice, bridging global innovation with frontline practice. She also chairs the International Relations Committee of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA).
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