I had the genuine pleasure of being part of a deeply meaningful presentation at the 2025 American Probation & Parole Association (APPA) Training Institute in New York. Being in that room – surrounded by colleagues who care deeply about human dignity, meaningful reintegration, and the future of community supervision – reminded me why I do this work.
It was an honor to facilitate this session featuring the powerful journey of Billa Nanra, shared in the article below. His honesty, resilience, and commitment to helping others truly embody the spirit of compassionate justice that the SAW Project aims to elevate around the world.
Story Synopsis: “From Dealer to Healer”
The article highlights Billa’s remarkable journey from a life marked by addiction, incarceration, and trauma to one centered on healing, helping, and hope.
Billa describes how participating in the Peace Education Program became the turning point that allowed him to reconnect with his own humanity and see a different future for himself. Through the program’s focus on inner strength, dignity, peace, and self-awareness, he found not only personal transformation but also a calling to support others who are walking a similar path.
Since 2020, Billa has been facilitating Peace Education Program sessions in approved premises across the U.K., offering encouragement to individuals navigating probation, re-entry, and recovery. His story is a powerful reminder that people can and do change when we create environments that support reflection, compassion, and personal growth. Billa’s message is clear: change is possible—and when the justice system makes space for human dignity, that change becomes sustainable.
Why This Matters to the SAW Project
At the SAW Project, we work to amplify examples of compassionate, effective community supervision from every corner of the world. Billa’s experience is exactly the type of lived wisdom and human-centered practice we strive to document, celebrate, and share widely. I left the APPA session feeling inspired, encouraged, and grateful that voices like Billa’s are being elevated on such important platforms. His journey affirms that compassionate justice isn’t theoretical—it’s real, it’s teachable, and it’s transforming lives every day.
Read the Full Story You can read the full article here:
From Dealer to Healer: Sharing My Journey at the 2025 American Probation and Parole Association Training Institute
Further Learning:
- Peace Education Program – Official Website
- American Probation and Parole Assoc. – Official Website