Marcus Hodges’ journey to the criminal justice space began in college. In college, he heard a prison warden speak passionately about the positive change correctional officers can have on the individuals they work with, spurring him to choose a job in the space. Marcus began his career in  1992 at the Virginia Department of Corrections. Since then, Marcus has dedicated his career to fostering safer communities, reducing recidivism, and advocating for those transitioning from incarceration to society.

These positions include Rehabilitation Counselor at a maximum-security prison, Intensive Probation and Parole Officer, Sr. Probation Officer in Community Correctional facilities (Detention/Diversion programs), Deputy Chief Probation and Parole Officer, and Regional Manager. In 2003 Marcus joined the National Institute of Corrections on an Interagency Personnel Act (IPA) contract between NIC and the Virginia Department of Corrections. Working as a Correctional Program Specialist with the Community Corrections/Prisons Division, his primary focuses were on community corrections for those transitioning from prison to the community, evidence-based practices in corrections, and pretrial services. His responsibilities extended to the prison environment in promoting a positive correctional culture and working successfully with a multi-generational workforce. In 2006 he was promoted to Chief Probation and Parole Officer in District #21 (Fredericksburg, Virginia) where he successfully reduced workload/caseload and developed local reentry councils. This collaborative approach assisted individuals in re-entering society. In 2012 he was promoted to Community Corrections Regional Administrator for the Virginia Department of Corrections. In this position, he oversaw sixteen Probation and Parole Districts, two Community Corrections facilities, and nine Community Residential programs.

While employed with the Virginia Department of Corrections he received the Director’s Award for Teamwork in 2012 and for Innovation in 2015. In 2017 he accepted a position as Associate Director for the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) in Washington, DC. Marcus is the President-Elect of the American Probation and Parole Association. He has also served as President of the National Association of Probation Executives from 2014-2018 and assists in facilitating the American Probation/Parole Association of Leadership Academy. In 2018 he received the Middle Correctional States Association Award for Innovation in Community Corrections and in 2020 he was awarded Probation Executive of the Year from NAPE/Sam Houston State University.

Marcus holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Criminal Justice from Virginia Union University and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Florida Metropolitan University.

Bio from the Justice System Partners website.