Intensive Session: It’s a Whole New Ball Game: Motivational Interviewing for Justice Involved Individuals

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Jessica Dennis Bradley is a Superintendent for the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, who has worked to incorporate evidence-based practices and risk reduction strategies. She applies implementation science techniques to enhance operations and culture. Prior positions include Parole Officer in Cincinnati; Assistant to the Deputy Director, where she worked on sentencing reform legislation; and Deputy Director of Programming, Development & Evaluation, where she oversaw Reentry, Research, Religious Services, Education, Enterprise Development and Evidence Based Practices. Jessica has earned Master degree of Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati where she was a research assistant.

R. Jason Nespeca is a Parole Services Supervisor for the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, he currently supervises a Parole unit that serves both Mahoning and Columbiana Counties. He joined the agency as a Parole Officer in 2004, and then became a Parole Services Supervisor in 2012. Previously he worked as a Case Manager and Probation Officer with the Community Corrections Association from 2002 till 2004. He has participated in MI training since 2011. He received his B.A in Applied Science from Youngstown State University in 2001.

Eric Persing is a Parole Officer for the Adult Parole Authority, he is currently the full-time Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force Officer (TFO) serving the Hamilton County, Ohio region. He joined Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) as a Corrections Officer in 2015 before transitioning to Parole Officer in 2018. Previously he has supervised the Hamilton County’s Justice Involved Young Adults caseload and has been an instructor in Motivational Interviewing, Core Correctional Practices, Field Tactics/Officer Safety and a has assisted with onboarding new officers as a Field Training Officer. He received a B.S in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati.

Joseph Suciu is a Parole Program Specialist for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections who currently coordinates grant projects. He was instrumental in development of updated Evidence Practice trainings and applications. He was recognized as the Division of Parole and Community Services Employee of the Year for 2020 and Cleveland Region’s Parole Officer of the Year for 2010. With over 26 years of Community Corrections experience, his previous positions include Parole Officer, Jail Coordinator, Program Administrator, Case worker and Cognitive Skills Specialist. Currently, he coordinates grant projects involving the incorporation innovative solutions and evidence practice into community corrections practices. He has trained extensively on evidence-based practices. His trainer certifications include Ohio Risk Assessment Systems, Level of Service Inventory, Thinking for a Change Facilitator, Decision Points Facilitator, Core Correctional Practices and Motivational Interviewing. He has developed Motivational Interviewing trainings used by criminal justice professionals and participates in an MI Community of Practice. He obtained a Master of Science from the University of Cincinnati in Criminal Justice.