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Focus Group: From Dealer to Leader: The Power of Lived Experience
SESSION INFO
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Session Type: Workshop
This workshop explores insights gained by Billa Nanra, who was incarcerated at HMP Leeds following drug-related convictions tied to his heroin addiction. Through the Peace Education Program, he discovered the power of self-awareness, emotional resilience, and personal responsibility in breaking the cycle of addiction and recidivism. These lessons helped him redefine his identity and build a future based on purpose and service. Upon release, he dedicated himself to mentoring others, delivering the Peace Education Program to at-risk youth and incarcerated individuals. His work has earned recognition, including awards for his contributions to rehabilitation. Joining virtually from England, Mr. Nanra will share his story and how discovering inner strengths enabled him to regain control over his life and how these principles can empower others. In an interview format facilitated by Julie Truschel, this session explores how self-awareness and lived-experience mentorship can be applied in community supervision for wellbeing and lasting change.
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SESSION PRESENTERS
Billa Nanra
Author, HMS Leeds
Following a conviction for dealing drugs to support his heroin addiction, Billa Nanra began a transformative journey through rehabilitation programming in the United Kingdom. While waiting in a prison line for methadone, he was captivated by a poster promoting the Peace Education Program. Drawn to the program’s strengths-based themes, he attended the course and discovered the tools and inspiration to take control of his own future. Since his release, Billa has dedicated himself to supporting others with similar experiences. He currently facilitates the Peace Education Program in six Approved Premises (APs) across the UK each week—residential units that provide supervised accommodation for high-risk individuals transitioning from custody to community. These APs are a vital part of the reintegration process, offering a bridge between prison and society. He also facilitates a program in Sheffield designed for young adults aged 18 to 26. Additionally, Billa volunteers with the Shannon Trust, tutoring incarcerated individuals in reading and writing. He was interviewed about his experience on stage at the 6th World Congress on Probation and Parole at The Hague in the Netherlands in April 2024. His work has inspired many and highlights the transformative power of lived experience in rehabilitation.
Julie Truschel
CEO, SAW Project
Julie Truschel has worked in the field of criminal justice since 1985, earning extensive experience across public government agencies, private industry, custodial settings, and community-based programs. Her work has spanned both juvenile and adult corrections, giving her a well-rounded perspective on system needs and solutions. Her career was significantly impacted by early collaboration with researchers developing the “What Works” curriculum, which inspired her commitment to evidence-based practices (EBP). She has since worked with justice administrators nationwide to integrate EBP into daily operations and long-term strategy. Julie currently leads the Supervision Around the World (SAW) Project, an international initiative that documents global supervision practices, identifies effective models, and promotes positive change through international collaboration. Learn more at sawproject.org. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Master’s degree in Organizational Management.
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