International Relations Training Track
Presented by APPA’s International Relations Committee
The International Relations Committee proudly presents a dynamic training track spotlighting innovation, collaboration, and reform in probation and parole. Featuring justice experts from the Turks and Caicos Islands, Netherlands, Republic of Georgia, and the United States, this series explores diverse, evidence-based approaches to community supervision.
Sessions will highlight strategic planning, restorative justice, trauma-informed practices, and the use of technology, offering insights from both long-established and emerging systems. Designed to promote cross-border learning, this track provides practical strategies and global lessons to advance community corrections at home and around the world.
Workshops
CHARTING THE PATH FORWARD: A RESEARCH-PRACTITIONER APPROACH FOR COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING
MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH | 9:15 AM - 10:45 AM ET
Presenters:

Jaron Harvey
Director, Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services
Ministry of Public Safety & Utilities of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government

Deborah Koetzle
Director & Professor
The Corrections Lab, John Jay College

Jeff Mellow
Deputy Director & Professor
The Corrections Lab, John Jay College

Stephanie Spiegel
Senior Research Associate
The Corrections Lab, John Jay College
Effective strategic planning is essential for probation and parole agencies to enhance public safety and to address the complex needs of justice-involved individuals. This workshop highlights a successful researcher-practitioner partnership with the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Supervision (DRCS) of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Drawing on this partnership, the workshop will outline a comprehensive and collaborative approach to strategic planning. Participants will learn to identify focus areas, foster a shared vision for change, and establish realistic timelines to meet the strategic plan’s goals, objectives and strategies. Key takeaways include actionable strategies for implementing a collaborative strategic plan within community corrections to drive measurable improvements.
200 YEARS OF DUTCH PROBATION: LESSONS LEARNED AND GLOBAL OBLIGATIONS FOR A PROGRESSIVE PROBATION SYSTEM
MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET
Presenters:

Joseph Arvidson
Executive Director
The Paragon Group

Jochum Wildeman
Director International Bureau
Dutch Probation
This presentation draws on the rich history and evolution of Dutch probation practices—spanning two centuries—to offer valuable insights for the international probation and parole community. By examining how the Netherlands shifted from a punitive approach to a rehabilitative, community-based model, the presentation will highlight strategies that have contributed to lower incarceration rates, reduced recidivism, and enhanced reintegration efforts. This topic is particularly timely for APPA’s 50th Anniversary Conference in August 2025 in New York, as it underscores both historical achievements and future obligations for effective probation practices worldwide.
COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO CRIME PREVENTION AND OFFENDER REINTEGRATION
MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH | 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM ET
Presenters:

Joseph Arvidson
Executive Director
The Paragon Group

Iason Nachkebia
Head of Analytical Department, National Agency for Crime Prevention
Execution of Non-Custodial Sentences and Probation (Republic of Georgia)
The session will provide a brief overview of the evolution of probation across various emerging European jurisdictions, highlighting the growing emphasis on rehabilitation efforts and, more recently, the integration of advanced technologies. It will examine how these trends have influenced key areas, including policy development, legal frameworks, and enforcement practices. A particular focus will be placed on Georgia’s experience, introducing its three-level crime prevention model, which, alongside traditional probation activities, includes a domain rarely found in most probation organizations. The development of restorative justice, innovative rehabilitation programs, and one-stop technological solutions for anonymous reporting and services is complemented by targeted interventions for juveniles below the age of criminal responsibility and the active involvement of public schools in juvenile crime prevention. Together, these initiatives create a comprehensive approach to crime prevention, while breaking down the strategy into specific execution steps offers valuable insights and inspiration for a broader audience.
A GLOBAL RETROSPECTIVE: KEY MILESTONES IN PROBATION DEVELOPMENT
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27TH | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM ET
Presenters:

Joseph Arvidson
Executive Director
The Paragon Group

Julie Truschel
CEO
Supervision Around the World (SAW) Project
As the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) celebrates its 50th Anniversary, this workshop brings together international experts for a forward-thinking discussion on the evolution of probation and community supervision worldwide. By examining lessons from diverse systems—both emerging and long-established—we will explore how history informs current practices and future innovations. Key themes include: Global Retrospective – Examining major milestones in probation’s development. Adapting to Change – Strategies for maintaining effectiveness in evolving correctional landscapes. Innovating for the Future – Emerging trends, international collaborations, and technology in supervision. Featuring: Iason Nachkebia (Republic of Georgia) – Insights on building a probation system from the ground up; Jochum Wildeman (Netherlands) – Lessons from a system with over 200 years of history. Join us for an engaging Q&A discussion, gaining global insights into the future of probation.
Contributing Sponsors
Casebase - BOD Luncheon | CSS - Lanyards | Empower Community Care - Expo Hall Bingo | NCTI - Expo Hall Bingo | Noble Software Group - Expo Hall Bingo | SCRAM - Conference Bags | Smart Start - Lanyards
Also, special thanks goes to our Corporate Members!