North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Colby Braun receives 2024 Charles Colson Advocate of Hope Award at ceremony in Fargo
FARGO, N.D.—Prison Fellowship®, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families and a leading advocate for criminal justice reform, presented the 2024 Charles Colson Advocate of Hope Award to Colby Braun, director of the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Director Braun was honored for his exceptional work in North Dakota corrections at a luncheon ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, at Delta Hotels Fargo.
As director of corrections, Braun continues a long legacy in North Dakota of seeking restorative solutions to crime and incarceration, emphasizing neighborliness between those inside and outside of prison. As a graduate of Prison Fellowship’s Warden Exchange®, he developed and implemented a transformative plan to positively impact North Dakota prison culture—a culture that serves as a model for wardens around the country. Braun has led this process with transparency and humility and an intense belief in everyone’s potential.
“Director Braun’s dedication and dependability in the field of corrections and rehabilitation have redefined what it means to support people in the correctional system,” said Heather Rice-Minus, president and CEO of Prison Fellowship. “His outstanding work in North Dakota has set a new standard for the nation in terms of reimagining prison. I applaud his innovative approaches and tireless efforts that include promoting good citizenship among the prison population and equipping them to become contributing members of society upon release, all of which has created a more restorative and hope-filled model for what prison can be.”
“We commend Director Braun for paving the way for the rest of the country as he deploys groundbreaking strategies that focus on accountability, rehabilitation, and human dignity within the correctional system,” said Cody Wilde, Prison Fellowship senior vice president of correctional programs. “We are inspired by his leadership and his commitment to mentor wardens from around the country, which raises the bar for innovation and empathy in corrections.”
“I am humbled and grateful to receive this prestigious award from Prison Fellowship,” said Braun. “During my tenure in North Dakota corrections, I have had the good fortune to work alongside many directors and associates who share my vision of a healthy and restorative correctional system for both staff and the incarcerated. It is a privilege to partner with Prison Fellowship, which has made a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people over its rich history.”
The Charles Colson Advocate of Hope Award
The Charles Colson Advocate of Hope Award, sponsored by Prison Fellowship, recognizes individuals who have faithfully and courageously worked to restore those affected by incarceration. Honorees demonstrate a proven track record of faithful and winsome advocacy for criminal justice reform that restores—leadership that blazes a trail toward a future of rehabilitation and transformation.
ABOUT PRISON FELLOWSHIP
Prison Fellowship is the nation's largest Christian nonprofit equipping the Church to serve currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families, and to advocate for justice and human dignity both inside and outside of prison. With nearly 50 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that transform those responsible for crime, validate victims, and encourage communities to play a role in creating a safe, redemptive, and just society.