Randy Braren

Director, ReEntry Initiatives

Randy Braren has over 36 years of experience in the field of corrections, including 32 years in the field of community corrections. After having served as a correction officer and parole officer in the early 1980’s, he assumed various leadership roles within the CT Department of Correction and the CT Board of Parole at both the regional and statewide level, including stints as  District Supervisor and Assistant to the Chairman.

In 2003, Randy left state service to become Senior Director at The Connection, Inc., a non-profit human service and community development agency. As a member of that agency’s senior management team, he was responsible for the planning, development and overall management of various community based correctional programs, including residential and non-residential Alternative Incarceration Centers, Middlesex County’s Emergency Shelter as well as a regional supportive housing network.

In 2006, Randy returned to state service following his appointment by Correction Commissioner Theresa Lantz as DOC’s Director of Parole and Community Services. As a direct report to the Commissioner, he and his division were responsible for the community supervision of all offenders released from terms of confinement and remaining under the department’s jurisdiction. This included all parole staff as well as the network of community based contracted programs providing residential, non-residential and supportive services to the reentry population. Randy retired from state service in 2009 and currently serves as Director, Reentry Initiatives for Family ReEntry, Inc. In his current capacity, Randy is responsible for program development and oversight of various residential and non-residential reentry and behavioral health programs.

Randy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of New Haven, where he also served as an Adjunct Faculty Member from 1997 to 2005. He is a past Vice President of the Connecticut Probation and Parole Association, and was on the Board of Directors of Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services (CONNSACS) from 1997 to 2003.