Incorporating Cultural and Traditional Practices to Improve Reentry Outcomes
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SESSION INFO

Wednesday, August 27, 2025
9:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Session Type: Workshop
Reentry is a process, not an event. That process begins with a person’s confinement and involves every aspect of the community corrections spectrum as well as, community members, and a network of service agencies that provide treatment services, job training, housing support, and other needs. In tribal reentry programs, success depends on collaboration between tribal agencies and local, state, and federal partners to ensure the individual receives services, maintains compliance, and refrains from engaging in additional criminal activity. These are the functions of the criminal justice system. This is what community corrections are and what probation and parole officers do. They make sure the clients are doing what needs to be done to comply with the court orders. Community corrections have gone through the evolution from the retribution model to therapeutic/specialty court model, to the reentry programs model. The evolution of community corrections has led us from the lock’em approach to the – let’s treat their issues and help them access their basic needs approach to reducing recidivism. Cultural identity is a core value in tribal communities. Incorporating cultural and traditional practices into tribal reentry programs allows for programs to be grounded in culturally based approaches that incorporate the tribe’s history, values, and strengths to reintegrate the returning family member into the community.

SESSION PRESENTERS
Greg Brown
Program Manager, National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College


Greg Brown, MCJ, CFE, DHL Program Manager, National Criminal Justice Training Center Fox Valley Technical College Greg Brown brings over 32 years of experience in the corrections field, with a career spanning leadership, innovation, and frontline service. He is the former Chief Probation Officer for Colorado’s 20th Judicial District, where he oversaw adult and juvenile supervision and spearheaded several specialized initiatives. Greg’s background includes the supervision, treatment, and management of high-risk clients, including individuals involved in domestic violence and sex crimes. He has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing cutting-edge programs such as enhanced domestic violence treatment tracks, gender-responsive supervision teams focused on women’s issues, and community-based best practices for managing complex and high-risk offender populations. A passionate advocate for holistic and culturally informed approaches, Greg has helped establish problem-solving courts, restorative justice initiatives, and standards and policies that support client accountability and successful reintegration. For more than 20 years, he has worked closely with tribal probation and reentry professionals, delivering training and technical assistance to support culturally respectful and effective supervision practices across Indian Country. Currently, Greg serves as a Program Manager with the National Criminal Justice Training Center at Fox Valley Technical College, where he continues to lead national efforts in professional development, systems improvement, and tribal justice engagement.

Mark Dyea
Tribal Grants Manager, American Probation and Parole Association


Mark Dyea is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna and a Disabled Veteran. Mark is the Tribal Grants Manager for the American Probation and Parole Association where he collaborates with Tribes to secure training and technical assistance in program planning, implementation, and enhancement. Mark has 20 years of Community Supervision and Treatment Court experience. During this time, he worked for the Pueblo of Laguna’s Probation & Parole Services for over ten years as a Probation Officer, Wellness Court Coordinator, Program Manager, co-founded the Pueblo’s Community Wellness Court program and served as its Co-Coordinator for seven years. Mark has also worked as a Case Manager for the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Specialty Courts and Coordinator for the Pueblo of San Felipe Healing to Wellness Court. Mark served as a Sr. Consultant for the NADCP Tribal Healing to Wellness Court Planning Initiative and as faculty for TLPI. As a consultant Mark has worked with numerous jurisdictions across the country to develop and enhance Community Supervision programs and Treatment Courts. Over the course of his career Mark as collaborated with multiple jurisdictions, including State, Federal, and Tribal entities, to improve community supervision outcomes and intergovernmental relationships.