Georgia Parole Packets: A Complete, Source-Backed Guide

Estimated reading time: 28 minutes

The Bottom Line: How Parole Works in Georgia

In Georgia, you don’t have to apply for parole. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles automatically reviews every person who becomes eligible. ^{1 2}

That means your job is to make sure the Board has good information about you. Most of what they see in the file comes from police, prosecutors, and the courts. Those papers usually focus on what went wrong. Families and friends can help by adding the positive side—certificates, job offers, program completions, and letters that show responsibility and change.

The Board uses something called the Parole Decision Guidelines to help decide when someone might be released. This system looks at how serious the crime was and how likely the person is to break the law again. But the Board can override the chart if the rest of the record shows a different story. ³

That’s why it’s so important to send strong, truthful, and well-organized information—and to send it at the right time. What you send, and when you send it, can make all the difference.

How Georgia’s System Works (in Plain English)

In Georgia, people in prison do not have to apply for parole. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles automatically looks at everyone who is eligible. Families and friends can still send in letters, certificates, or other helpful information at any time. ²

When the Board reviews someone’s case, staff members use a chart called the Parole Decision Guidelines. This chart helps them compare two things: how serious the crime was and how likely the person is to break the law again. These two parts are combined into a number called a “risk-to-reoffend” score. The chart gives a suggested amount of time to serve before release, but the Board does not have to follow it exactly. They can decide differently if they think the situation calls for it. ³

The way the Board makes these decisions is written into the state’s official rules, called the Georgia Administrative Code. These rules explain what factors the Board must look at and how the risk score is figured out. ⁴

Victims of crime also have a voice in the process. They can send the Board written statements, ask to be told before a parole decision is made, and even meet with Board members to share how the crime affected them. The Board takes these statements very seriously when making its final choice. ^{5 6}

Timing: When to Send Your Packet

It’s best to send the complete parole packet about five months before the parole eligibility date. This gives the Board time to read everything before they start their first review. You can send materials anytime, but earlier is always better. ²

If you are not sure when someone becomes eligible, you can look it up online. Use the Inmate Tentative Parole Month (TPM) Lookup Tool or the Parolee Search Tool to check the status. ^{7 8}

What’s Already in the Board’s File—and Why Your Packet Matters

The parole file already has a lot of information, but most of it comes from law enforcement, the courts, and prison records. That means it mainly focuses on the crime, disciplinary reports, and negative history.

Your packet gives the Board something they don’t already have—the positive side of the story. It shows what the person has done to change, who supports them, where they will live, and how they will work and stay on the right path. ³

The Five Main Parts of a Strong Parole Packet

1) The Personal Accountability Statement

This is the most important part of the packet. It’s a short letter (about one and a half to two pages) written by the person in prison. It should be respectful, honest, and focused on taking full responsibility.

Include:

• A polite request for parole.
• A clear statement of the crime, using “I did” instead of “I was convicted.”
• Acknowledgment of harm to the victim, with no excuses.
• What has changed—programs finished, lessons learned, skills gained.
• Detailed plans for life after release (housing, job, treatment, transportation).
• A thankful close that shows respect for the Board’s serious decision.

This letter is powerful because most people in Georgia do not get an in-person hearing, so the written record speaks for you. ²

When you discuss the victim or harm, follow victim-service guidance—focus on understanding, responsibility, and empathy. ⁹

Do not argue the case or blame anyone. This letter should be about responsibility and growth.

Here’s what a Personal Accountability Statement might look like:

2) Proof of Rehabilitation (Certificates and Records)

The Board wants to see clear proof of change. Include copies of every certificate or achievement, such as:

• Education: GED, college credits, literacy programs.
• Vocational training: OSHA, forklift, food service, or other trade skills.
• Treatment programs: Substance abuse, anger management, or mental-health programs.
• Good conduct: Long periods with no disciplinary reports and strong work-detail reviews.

Here’s a sample certificate. Most people will have acquired multiple certificates.

These records show commitment. Education and job training reduce the chance of returning to prison. ¹⁰

In Georgia, good conduct and program completions can also earn Performance Incentive Credits (PIC) that may move parole dates forward. ¹¹

3) Employment Plan

A job offer or work plan is a major plus. The best option is a real job offer letter on company letterhead. It should include:

• Job title and duties.
• Exact pay rate and schedule.
• Start date after release.
• Supervisor’s name and phone number.
• A note that the employer knows about the record.

If there is no offer yet, explain a realistic plan—training that leads to a job, a pending apprenticeship, union entry, or a small business plan that fits the person’s skills. The goal is to show the person will live responsibly and follow the law. ³

💡 Tip for Presentation

Create a small “Employment Plan” section in the parole packet with a short paragraph like this at the top:

Employment Plan:

Then, attach:

• Job letters or printouts (sample employment letter below),
• Certificates,
• Work evaluations,
• Or any verification that shows the plan is realistic.

4) Verified Residence Plan

The Board must know exactly where the person will live. Include:

• The full address.
• The homeowner or leaseholder’s name, phone number, and relationship.
• Proof of residence (lease, mortgage, or recent utility bill).
• A list of everyone who lives there.
• Distance checks if needed (for example, sex-offense restrictions or victim proximity).

If family housing isn’t available, use approved transitional or reentry programs.

• Reentry Partnership Housing (RPH): Up to six months of help with housing for people approved for release but with no home to go to. ^{12 13}
• Day Reporting / Reentry Services: Structure, classes, and supervision to help people adjust safely. ¹⁴

Here is a sample residence plan:

5) Support Letters (Quality Over Quantity)

The Board prefers a few strong letters over many repeats. Aim for five to seven letters that each add something new:

• Employer letter: Confirms a job and details.
• Family letter: Explains housing, transport, or financial help.
• Clergy/community letter: Shares spiritual growth or community support.
• Character letter: From a non-family person who has seen long-term change.
• Prison staff letter: From teachers, counselors, or supervisors documenting growth.

Sample letters can be found below.

These best practices match guidance used by other states. ^{15 16}

Avoid letters that only say “good person” or “learned a lesson.” Give specific examples and clear post-release support.

High-Impact Steps That Really Make a Difference

Fix wrong or unfair information.

If someone is labeled a gang member or has a violent disciplinary report that isn’t accurate, challenge it through the appeal or review process. These labels raise risk scores and can hurt parole chances. ⁴

Use the PIC program.

Performance Incentive Credits (PIC) reward good behavior and program completions. They can help move a parole date and show steady effort. Keep proof of every completion. ¹¹

Read reliable Georgia guides.

The Southern Center for Human Rights (SCHR) Parole Handbook is a free, step-by-step guide that explains what the Board looks for and how to prepare strong materials. ¹⁷

Month-by-Month Preparation Timeline

Right Away:

Collect court and sentencing papers. Find the first parole eligibility date. Start required treatment and begin school or job training. ²

Years One and Two:

Finish programs, earn certificates, and avoid disciplinary reports. Keep copies of everything. Build job and housing contacts for after release. Education and job training are strong signs of real change. ¹⁰

One Year Before Eligibility:

Confirm housing, line up employers, pick letter writers, and draft the accountability statement.

Five Months Before Eligibility:

Send the complete packet—statement, certificates, housing and employment proofs, and letters—so the Board has it before the first review. ²

During the Review Period:

Avoid any disciplinary issues. Make sure supporters answer calls to verify information.

If Parole Is Denied:

Note the next review date. Keep completing programs, update letters and plans, and send new accomplishments. The Board accepts updates anytime when there is new information. ²

Special Notes About Victims, Clemency, and Lifers

Victims

Never contact or criticize victims. Acknowledge the harm and show steps to make things right. If restitution is owed, include proof of payments or a plan. Victims can send statements or register for updates through VIP. ^{5 6}

Clemency vs. Parole

Parole is early release under supervision. Clemency (pardon or commutation) is separate and usually after all time is served or in special cases (like serious illness). Since January 2024, pardon applications must be filed online. ^{18 19 20}

Lifers

People serving life sentences are reviewed differently and less often. Their packets must show years of steady progress, clear change, and strong community support. ³

Special Considerations for Life-Sentenced Inmates

People serving life sentences have the hardest road to parole in Georgia. The Parole Board still reviews them automatically, but the process is different from other cases. It doesn’t use the normal guidelines chart and happens much less often. ²¹

For most people who got life before 1995, the Board can look at their case after about 14 years. For those sentenced after 1995 for serious violent crimes, they must serve 30 years before the first review. ³ If parole is denied, the next review is often up to eight years later, unless there is new information that shows real progress. ²²

Because reviews come so rarely, every lifer’s packet must be complete and powerful. One strong packet can shape the next decade.

Showing Long-Term Change

Change for a lifer is measured in years. Point out long stretches with no disciplinary reports and steady roles inside (tutor, mentor, faith leader). Letters from staff who have known the person for years help show responsibility and leadership.

Example:

“Over the past 22 years, I have worked in the prison education department, helping younger men earn their GEDs. Teaching others has helped me understand how much my actions once hurt people and how I can now serve others to make things right.”

Long-term good conduct and self-discipline are the strongest proof of real change. ²³

Explaining “Why Now”

Say clearly why now is the right time: new programs finished, leadership roles, age or health changes that lower risk, and a support network ready today.

Building a Realistic Re-entry Plan

Plans must match age and health. Jobs can focus on mentoring, light maintenance, community service, or church/nonprofit roles. Housing must be verified. Many lifers will use transitional or reentry programs. RPH can help with up to six months of housing support after approval. ²⁴

If there are medical or mental-health needs, include provider names, medication plans, and insurance/Medicaid proof. For those over 55 or with serious illness, mention possible medical or geriatric parole options. ²⁵ Explain transportation plans clearly.

Using Age and Risk to Support Release

Older people are the least likely to reoffend. Georgia holds more than 8,000 lifers—about 15% of the total prison population—in medium or close security. ²⁶ Explain that releasing older, low-risk people saves money and respects decades of positive behavior.

Preparing for the Next Review

If parole is denied, keep working. Finish new classes, stay discipline-free, and keep documents current. Update job and housing plans each year. Families can submit yearly updates or new letters—especially for health or age changes. ²² The Board can move up a review if there is strong new information.

Writing Effective Letters for Lifers

Letters should show how long the writer has known the person and what has changed:

• Staff: years of performance and leadership.
• Family: steady contact through visits and calls.
• Community/clergy: real support—safe housing, job leads, mentorship.
• Employer: how the job fits current age and health.

Be honest and specific. The Board looks for proof of rehabilitation, not pity.

Getting Ready for Review

Five to eight months before review, gather everything: the accountability statement, certificates, health documents, housing and job plans, and 5–7 strong letters. Include proof of service to others. Highlight any new accomplishments since the last review.

Every packet should tell one clear story: This person has changed, is no longer a risk, and has the support to succeed outside prison.

Parole for People Age 62 and Older: Georgia’s Hidden Rule

Many people think life without parole or “fourth offender” means no release ever. Georgia’s Constitution says something different. It gives the Parole Board the power to parole people who are 62 years old or older, even if state law says they cannot be released. ²⁷

This power applies to people who are:

• Serving life without parole
• Sentenced as habitual or “fourth offenders”
• Otherwise ineligible for parole under normal law

However, the Board has never used this power. The Southern Center for Human Rights Parole Handbook says the Board has never exercised this authority. ²⁸

What This Means

This rule does not give anyone a right to parole. It gives the Board the power to grant it. The Board can choose to use it but does not have to.

Thousands of people in Georgia prisons are 62 or older. Many have served 20–40 years and pose very little risk. Using this rule could reduce overcrowding, lower medical costs, and bring home people who have already served a lifetime. ^{29 30}

How Families Can Use This

1. Ask for it in the packet. In the accountability statement or family letters, note age and health, and politely mention the Board’s constitutional authority to parole people 62 and older.

2. Attach proof. Add medical records, proof of age, and evidence of rehabilitation.

3. Request compassionate release.

“Because [Name] is now 65, has serious health issues, and has kept a clean record for more than 15 years, we ask the Board to use its constitutional authority under Article IV, Section 2, Paragraph 2(e) to grant parole.”

4. Build awareness. Families, churches, and advocates can help more people learn about this rule.

For families helping an older loved one, follow the same steps in this guide—just add proof of age, medical information, and a respectful request that the Board consider the age-62 provision.

Sample Letter Guides

Every letter should be honest, specific, and easy to read. Use simple words. Share real examples.

Employer Letter (on company letterhead, signed)

The following letter from an employer shows what this type of letter should look like:

Family Support Letter

The following family support letter may help you see what this type of letter should look like:

Clergy or Community Leader Letter

Here’s a sample letter from a pastor:

Prison Staff or Instructor Letter

Here’s what an actual letter might look like:

And here’s another letter, this time from Doug’s detail officer:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Minimizing the crime or blaming others.
• Copy-and-paste letters with no real details.
• Emotional appeals without facts or examples.
• Vague plans with no address or job details.
• A last-minute burst of programs that looks fake.
• Speaking badly about victims, the justice system, or prison staff.

Keep everything focused on truth, responsibility, and clear plans. ³¹

Georgia Resources That Can Help

Reentry Partnership Housing (RPH):

If someone is approved for parole but has no place to live, RPH can help pay for housing for up to six months. You need an acceptance letter from a listed provider and the program rules. ^{12 13}

Reentry and Day Reporting Programs:

Provide classes, job help, structure, and supervision during reentry. ¹⁴

Georgia Parole and Reentry Handbooks:

Free handbooks explain the process in detail. SCHR’s Parole Handbook is excellent. The Georgia Board also offers Reentry Handbooks in English and Spanish. ^{17 32}

Quick Checklist

Print this and keep it handy about five months before eligibility:

• ✅ Finalized accountability statement (signed, with contact info)
• ✅ All education, vocational, and treatment certificates (copies)
• ✅ Employer letter with job title, pay, start date, and contact info
• ✅ Housing proof—address, owner name, utility bill, and household list
• ✅ 5–7 strong support letters (each with different details)
• ✅ Any work-detail reports or performance records
• ✅ Mental-health or substance-abuse treatment plans with provider names
• ✅ Restitution payments made and a plan to finish what’s owed
• ✅ Send the full packet well before the review date; keep copies of everything ³³

Final Thoughts

Preparing a parole packet takes time, patience, and teamwork. Every letter, certificate, and plan you send helps the Board see the full picture of a person’s growth and readiness to come home. Even if the first decision doesn’t go your way, keep adding new accomplishments and stay focused on progress.

The parole process can feel slow and uncertain, but every effort you make moves things forward. Stay hopeful, stay organized, and keep showing proof of change—because second chances are built one step at a time.

About Georgia Prisoners’ Speak (GPS) & Further Reading

Georgia Prisoners’ Speak (GPS) provides clear, dependable guidance for incarcerated people and their families. We expose system failures, share reform tools, and help families navigate parole, clemency, and reentry.

For a strong next step, start with Informational Resources: Guide to Justice & Advocacy.

Further Reading from GPS

Here are additional articles from GPS that may be especially helpful:

• Lethal Negligence: The Hidden Death Toll in Georgia’s Prisons — A deeper look into deadly conditions, medical neglect, and lack of accountability.
• A Second Chance for Georgia: Fixing Parole with the Reform It Desperately Needs — How to fix Georgia’s broken parole system with fair reforms.
• Parole: A Promise Broken — and How Georgia Can Make It Right — Why trust was lost and what it takes to restore it.
• Fixing Georgia’s Parole System: The Ultimate Plan for Justice — Problems inside the Parole Board and bold, data-driven solutions.
• Senate Bill 25: A Way Out for Many — What proposed parole-reform legislation could mean for families.
• Georgia Inmate Grievance System Overview — Why grievances matter for documentation and reentry.
• The Felon Train: How Georgia Turns Citizens into Convicts — How people get trapped in long sentences with few chances for parole.
• A Simple Message for the GDC — Practical steps to reduce violence and improve reentry outcomes.

Footnotes

1. GA Board main site, https://pap.georgia.gov/[↩]
2. Parole process overview, https://pap.georgia.gov/parole-consideration/parole-process-georgia[↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
3. Guidelines & eligibility page, https://pap.georgia.gov/parole-consideration/parole-consideration-eligibility-guidelines[↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
4. Georgia Administrative Code: Board rules (Chapter 475), https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/475[↩][↩]
5. Victims’ rights in parole process, https://pap.georgia.gov/georgia-office-victim-services/victims-rights-parole-process[↩][↩]
6. Victim Information Program (VIP), https://pap.georgia.gov/georgia-office-victim-services/victim-information-program-vip[↩][↩]
7. Inmate TPM Lookup, https://pap.georgia.gov/parole-consideration/inmate-tpm-lookup[↩]
8. Parolee Search, https://papapps.pap.state.ga.us/paroleesearch/search/searchPage[↩]
9. OVC—victim impact in parole, https://ovc.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh226/files/publications/infores/probparole/chap2.htm[↩]
10. RAND study: education reduces recidivism, https://www.rand.org/news/press/2013/08/22.html[↩][↩]
11. GDC reentry & programming, https://gdc.georgia.gov/inmate-services-division-0/reentry-cognitive-programming-unit[↩][↩]
12. GDC—RPH program, https://gdc.georgia.gov/organization/about-gdc/divisions-and-org-chart/inmate-services-division/reentry-partnership-housing[↩][↩]
13. DCA—RPH oversight/funding, https://dca.georgia.gov/affordable-housing/special-needs-housing/reentry-partnership-housing-rph[↩][↩]
14. DCS—reentry services, https://dcs.georgia.gov/reentry-services[↩][↩]
15. Texas BPP—parole packet FAQ, https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/bpp/faq/ParolePackets.html[↩]
16. Texas BPP—support letters FAQ, https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/bpp/faq/SupportLetters.html[↩]
17. SCHR—Parole Handbook (PDF), https://www.schr.org/files/post/media/books/Parole%20Handbook%2002-14.pdf[↩][↩]
18. Pardons & restoration of rights, https://pap.georgia.gov/parole-consideration/pardons-restoration-rights[↩]
19. Electronic portal, https://portalapps.pap.state.ga.us/pardon/view/[↩]
20. User guide (PDF), https://pap.georgia.gov/media/13791/download[↩]
21. Life-sentence process, https://pap.georgia.gov/parole-consideration/parole-process-georgia/life-sentences[↩]
22. Board rules 475-3-.05, https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/475-3[↩][↩]
23. Georgia parole process overview, https://pap.georgia.gov/parole-consideration/parole-process-georgia[↩]
24. GDC reentry & RPH info, https://gps.press/gdc-statistics/[↩]
25. Reprieves & commutations info, https://pap.georgia.gov/reprieves-commutations[↩]
26. GDC lifer data, https://gps.press/gdc-statistics/[↩]
27. Georgia Constitution, Article IV, Section 2, Paragraph 2(e), https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/constitution-of-the-state-of-georgia/ga-const-art-4-sect-2-ii/[↩]
28. Southern Center for Human Rights Parole Handbook, https://www.schr.org/files/post/ParoleHandbook.pdf[↩]
29. Filter Magazine, https://filtermag.org/georgia-parole-lifers-aftercare/[↩]
30. FAMM Georgia Medical Reprieve Report, https://famm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Georgia_Final.pdf[↩]
31. NLG Chicago—assembling packets memo (PDF), https://nlgchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/Assembling-Parole-Packets-and-Advo-Letters-Memo-7.31.2019.pdf[↩]
32. GA Board—reentry handbooks, https://pap.georgia.gov/reentry-handbooks[↩]
33. Board contact page, https://pap.georgia.gov/contact-us[↩]