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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
Angela Dixon, Ph.D.
Deputy Chief Probation Officer , Barbados Probation Department
Dr. Angela Dixon is the Chief Probation Officer of Barbados, leading a Probation Department that marked its 80th anniversary this year. She also serves as President of the Caribbean Association of Probation and Parole (CAPP). Under her leadership, the department has expanded its staff, adopted a specialized casework model, introduced new case management technology, and repositioned rehabilitation and reintegration as central to its work.
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.
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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