GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: BOPP Annual Report FY2005 — Georgia Parole Board ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-08-25 09:03:20 EDT Research Date: 2026-08-13 Topic: Parole JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/bopp-annual-report-fy2005-georgia-parole-board/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY2005 Annual Report documents the agency's operations, expenditures, and outcomes for fiscal year 2005. Key findings include a 60% parolee success rate compared to a 46% national average, an 82% employment rate among employable parolees, and a total parolee population of 24,276. The report also details the adoption of a new agency rule replacing the 90% policy, the implementation of GPS electronic monitoring statewide, and the Board's constitutional authority over executive clemency including death penalty commutations. STATISTICS (66) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Georgia parolee successful completion rate FY2005 60% of Georgia's parolees successfully completed their period of parole supervision in FY2005. Value: 60.0 percent (vs. 46 national average) Tags: parole,reentry,recidivism Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] National average parolee successful completion rate The national average of parolees who successfully complete parole supervision is 46%, as measured by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Value: 46.0 percent (vs. 60 Georgia parolee success rate) Tags: parole,reentry,recidivism Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Parolee employment rate FY2005 82% of employable parolees were employed at the end of FY05. Value: 82.0 percent Tags: employment,reentry,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Average parole officer caseload FY2005 Parole Officers are now carrying an average caseload of 67 parolees, significantly down from previous years due to appropriation of new parole officer positions and re-alignment of staff. Value: 67.0 parolees per officer Tags: staffing,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Total arrests by parole officers FY2005 4,297 arrests were conducted by Parole Officers during FY2005. Value: 4297.0 arrests Tags: operations,parole,violence Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total agency expenditures FY2005 Total expenditures for the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles in FY2005 were $45,135,674.89. Value: 45135674.89 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Personal services expenditures FY2005 Personal services expenditures for FY2005 totaled $35,618,745.56, including salaries of $26,961,353.20 and fringe benefits of $8,316,227.92. Value: 35618745.56 dollars Tags: budget,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Regular operating expenditures FY2005 Regular operating expenditures for FY2005 totaled $1,915,718.05. Value: 1915718.05 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Other expenditures FY2005 Other expenditures for FY2005 totaled $7,601,211.28, including real estate rentals of $2,610,931.40 and telecommunications of $982,345.09. Value: 7601211.28 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia total adult offender population FY2005 Georgia's total adult offender population in FY2005 was 503,192. Value: 503192.0 offenders Tags: demographics,corrections Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] State probation population FY2005 Georgia's state probation population in FY2005 was 262,041. Value: 262041.0 offenders Tags: demographics,probation Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] State inmates population FY2005 Georgia's state inmate population in FY2005 was 50,921. Value: 50921.0 inmates Tags: demographics,incarceration Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] State parolees population FY2005 Georgia's state parolee population in FY2005 was 24,276. Value: 24276.0 parolees Tags: demographics,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] County probation population FY2005 Georgia's county probation population in FY2005 was 133,165. Value: 133165.0 offenders Tags: demographics,probation Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] County jail inmates population FY2005 Georgia's county jail inmate population in FY2005 was 21,630. Value: 21630.0 inmates Tags: demographics,incarceration,jails Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Prison facilities offenders population FY2005 Georgia's prison facilities offender population in FY2005 was 5,080. Value: 5080.0 offenders Tags: demographics,incarceration Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Sentenced offenders population FY2005 Georgia's sentenced offender population in FY2005 was 6,079. Value: 6079.0 offenders Tags: demographics,incarceration Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole cost per day FY2005 The cost of parole supervision per day in FY2005 was $4.07. Value: 4.07 dollars per day (vs. 46.64 prison cost per day) Tags: budget,parole,incarceration Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Prison cost per day FY2005 The cost of prison incarceration per day in FY2005 was $46.64. Value: 46.64 dollars per day (vs. 4.07 parole cost per day) Tags: budget,incarceration,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Elderly inmates healthcare cost share Elderly inmates comprise almost ten percent of Georgia's inmate population but consume more than 31 percent of the state prison healthcare budget set aside for all inmates. Value: 31.0 percent of healthcare budget (vs. 10 percent of inmate population) Tags: medical,demographics,budget,aging Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardons granted for innocence since 1943 Since the Board was created in 1943, only two pardons have been granted due to new evidence proving the individuals were wrongly convicted. Value: 2.0 pardons Tags: legal,clemency,wrongful_conviction Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole releases FY2005 In FY2005, the Board granted 8,956 paroles. Value: 8956.0 releases Tags: parole,releases Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Supervised reprieves FY2005 In FY2005, the Board granted 2,779 supervised reprieves. Value: 2779.0 reprieves Tags: clemency,releases Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Conditional transfers FY2005 In FY2005, the Board granted 972 conditional transfers. Value: 972.0 transfers Tags: transfers,releases Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Commutations FY2005 In FY2005, the Board granted 1 commutation. Value: 1.0 commutation Tags: clemency,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total releases FY2005 In FY2005, total releases were 12,708. Value: 12708.0 releases Tags: releases,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total parole revocations FY2005 In FY2005, total parole revocations were 3,684. Value: 3684.0 revocations Tags: parole,revocations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Discharges from parole FY2005 In FY2005, 5,841 offenders were discharged from parole. Value: 5841.0 discharges Tags: parole,discharges Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Discharges from supervised reprieve FY2005 In FY2005, 1,823 offenders were discharged from supervised reprieve. Value: 1823.0 discharges Tags: clemency,discharges Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Commutation to discharge parole FY2005 In FY2005, 171 offenders received commutation to discharge parole. Value: 171.0 commutations Tags: clemency,discharges Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total discharges FY2005 In FY2005, total discharges were 7,835. Value: 7835.0 discharges Tags: discharges,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total decisions under guidelines FY2005 In FY2005, total decisions under guidelines were 15,315. Value: 15315.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole denied to life cases FY2005 In FY2005, parole was denied in 495 life cases. Value: 495.0 denials Tags: parole,life_sentences Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole granted to life cases FY2005 In FY2005, parole was granted in 188 life cases. Value: 188.0 grants Tags: parole,life_sentences Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total life decisions FY2005 In FY2005, total life decisions were 683. Value: 683.0 decisions Tags: parole,life_sentences Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardons granted FY2005 In FY2005, the Board granted 335 pardons. Value: 335.0 pardons Tags: clemency,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Medical/compassionate reprieves FY2005 In FY2005, the Board granted 109 medical/compassionate reprieves. Value: 109.0 reprieves Tags: medical,clemency,compassionate_release Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Restoration of rights FY2005 In FY2005, the Board granted 232 restorations of rights. Value: 232.0 restorations Tags: clemency,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Visitor interviews FY2005 In FY2005, the Board conducted 3,225 visitor interviews. Value: 3225.0 interviews Tags: operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Revocation hearings FY2005 In FY2005, the Board conducted 628 revocation hearings. Value: 628.0 hearings Tags: parole,revocations,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Preliminary hearings FY2005 In FY2005, the Board conducted 117 preliminary hearings. Value: 117.0 hearings Tags: parole,revocations,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia releases supervised in Georgia FY2005 In FY2005, 21,306 Georgia releases were supervised in Georgia. Value: 21306.0 parolees Tags: parole,supervision Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-state releases supervised in Georgia FY2005 In FY2005, 655 out-of-state releases were supervised in Georgia. Value: 655.0 parolees Tags: parole,supervision,interstate Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia releases supervised out of state FY2005 In FY2005, 2,315 Georgia releases were supervised out of state. Value: 2315.0 parolees Tags: parole,supervision,interstate Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total parolee population FY2005 In FY2005, the total parolee population was 24,276. Value: 24276.0 parolees Tags: parole,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Office of Victim Services correspondence FY2005 During FY05 the Office of Victim Services sent out 4,883 pieces of correspondence, provided assistance to more than 3,600 callers, and personally met with many individuals on specific parole cases. Value: 4883.0 pieces of correspondence Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Parolee population increase FY2005 During FY05, the parolee population increased by 6%. Value: 6.0 percent Tags: parole,demographics,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cognitive skills program participants FY2005 During FY05, 1,050 parolees participated in cognitive skills programs. There are 135 active coaches, all either Parole Officers or Chief Parole Officers. Value: 1050.0 parolees Tags: mental_health,reentry,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Mental health special condition parolees FY2005 In FY05, the Parole Board paroled or reprieved 1,478 offenders with a Special Condition for Mental Health counseling. Value: 1478.0 offenders Tags: mental_health,parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Faith-Based Initiative resources Approximately 200 resources, services, churches and individuals are involved in the Faith-Based Initiative, including homeless shelters and long and short term residential substance abuse treatment programs. Value: 200.0 resources Tags: reentry,faith_based,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Substance abuse treatment enrollment FY2005 In FY05, approximately 6,656 parolees were newly enrolled in a primary substance abuse treatment program and 2,933 parolees successfully completed treatment. Value: 6656.0 parolees enrolled (vs. 2933 parolees completed treatment) Tags: drugs,substance_abuse,treatment,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total drug testing episodes FY2005 The total number of drug testing episodes for FY05 was 81,972. Value: 81972.0 test episodes Tags: drugs,testing,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Random positive drug screen rate FY2005 The 16% random positive drug screen rate among those parolees who were tested is a notable measure when considering that approximately 75% of offenders enter the prison system with a drug related history. Value: 16.0 percent (vs. 75 percent of offenders entering prison with drug related history) Tags: drugs,testing,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Random drug testing episodes FY2005 Total random test episodes in FY2005 were 14,081. Of these, 12,015 (85%) were negative and 2,066 (15%) were positive. Value: 14081.0 test episodes Tags: drugs,testing,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average revocations per month FY2005 The average number of revocations per month in FY2005 was 307, representing a 10% increase over FY2004. Value: 307.0 revocations per month (vs. 280 FY2004 revocations per month) Tags: parole,revocations,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average revocations per month FY2004 The average number of revocations per month in FY2004 was 280. Value: 280.0 revocations per month Tags: parole,revocations,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average revocations per month FY2003 The average number of revocations per month in FY2003 was 256. Value: 256.0 revocations per month Tags: parole,revocations,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average revocations per month FY2002 The average number of revocations per month in FY2002 was 224. Value: 224.0 revocations per month Tags: parole,revocations,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average revocations per month FY2001 The average number of revocations per month in FY2001 was 261. Value: 261.0 revocations per month Tags: parole,revocations,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average revocations per month FY2000 The average number of revocations per month in FY2000 was 288. Value: 288.0 revocations per month Tags: parole,revocations,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average revocations per month FY1999 The average number of revocations per month in FY1999 was 318. Value: 318.0 revocations per month Tags: parole,revocations,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average revocations per month FY1998 The average number of revocations per month in FY1998 was 367. Value: 367.0 revocations per month Tags: parole,revocations,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Prison population at time of Board expansion In 1973 when the prison population reached 9,000 inmates, the Constitution was amended to expand the Parole Board to five members. Value: 9000.0 inmates Date: 1973-01-01 Tags: demographics,incarceration,history Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Prison population at FY2005 The prison population has risen to 49,864. Value: 49864.0 inmates (vs. 9000 prison population in 1973) Tags: demographics,incarceration Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] NOVA CRT deployments Since August 20, 1986 in Edmond, Oklahoma, where a postal worker killed 14 co-workers and himself, NOVA has deployed CRT's to over 100 communities worldwide within 24 hours of receipt of request. Value: 100.0 communities Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Field Operations Division supervision responsibility The Field Operations Division employs parole officers and field staff responsible for the daily supervision of approximately 21,961 parolees in Georgia. Value: 21961.0 parolees Tags: parole,supervision,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 FINDINGS (2) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Employment reduces re-arrest rate Research shows that for every day a parolee is employed it reduces the rate of re-arrest by 1% per day. Tags: employment,reentry,recidivism Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] NOVA founded in 1975 Founded in 1975, NOVA is the oldest national group of its kind whose mission is to promote rights and services for victims of crime and crisis everywhere. Date: 1975-01-01 Tags: victims,history Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 POLICYS (22) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] New agency rule replaces 90% policy At the November 18, 2005 Board Meeting, the Board voted to adopt a new agency rule relating to parole consideration for inmates. This rule will replace the Board's prior 90% policy and will apply to offenses committed on or after January 1, 2006. Date: 2005-11-18 Tags: policy,parole,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Guidelines recommendation for Crime Severity Level VIII offenders with score 0-8 Crime Severity Level VIII offenders with a Parole Success Score of 0 to 8 shall receive a Parole Guidelines recommendation of 90% of the prison sentence. Date: 2005-01-01 Tags: parole,policy,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Guidelines recommendation for Crime Severity Level VIII offenders with score 9-13 Crime Severity Level VIII offenders with a Parole Success Score of 9 to 13 shall receive a Parole Guidelines recommendation of 75% of the prison sentence. Date: 2005-01-01 Tags: parole,policy,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Guidelines recommendation for Crime Severity Level VIII offenders with score 14-20 Crime Severity Level VIII offenders with a Parole Success Score of 14 to 20 shall receive a Parole Guidelines recommendation of 65% of the prison sentence. Date: 2005-01-01 Tags: parole,policy,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GPS electronic monitoring evaluation In October 2004, the Board began a 12 month evaluation of the utility of GPS EM in 10 Parole Offices across the state. The GPS EM system went statewide in October 2005. Date: 2004-10-01 Tags: operations,policy,technology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines established in 1979 Since 1979 the Parole Board has reviewed non-life sentence cases under 'Parole Decision Guidelines,' one of the country's first standardized methods of predicting an offender's success on parole. Date: 1979-01-01 Tags: parole,policy,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board vote requires majority of three The file travels individually to each Board Member until a majority of three agree upon the final parole determination. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim services merger FY2005 In FY05, the Parole Board and Department of Corrections' Office of Victim Services combined their victim services offices. Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole supervision fee Parolees pay a $30 monthly supervision fee that goes to the state treasury's general fund. Tags: policy,budget,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole officer training duration Parole Officers spend eight weeks studying defensive tactics, constitutional law, supervision techniques, victims' rights and other subjects. Tags: staffing,training,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Monthly random drug testing selection rate Each month 5% of all parolees are randomly selected for testing, representing the most accurate picture of parolee drug use. Tags: drugs,testing,policy,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Firearm right restoration policy The Board's policy is to deny the restoration of the firearm right to any pardon applicant who possessed a firearm in the commission of the offense. Tags: policy,legal,firearms Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] TAPP program for mentally disordered offenders The Treatment and Aftercare for Probationers and Parolees (TAPP) program is the foundation for assuring continuity of treatment for mentally disordered offenders upon release from incarceration. Tags: mental_health,reentry,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Spectrum Health Systems contract for substance abuse services During FY05, the Parole Board entered into a contractual agreement with Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., to provide substance abuse services to parolees. Spectrum provides cognitive behavioral ASAM Level 1 substance abuse services to the chemically dependent. Tags: drugs,substance_abuse,treatment,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision membership Georgia is a member of the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision. This national commission provides insight for states with offenders crossing state lines. Tags: interstate,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia Crisis Response Team participation Several employees have joined the Georgia Crisis Response Team (CRT), a newly established group organized by the Prosecuting Attorneys Council and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Crisis responders are certified by the National Organization for Victims Assistance (NOVA). Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Lockbox approach for parole fee collections With the creation of the lockbox approach, the parolee receives payment coupons and mails them directly to the lockbox address along with the corresponding money order. The lockbox approach significantly reduces labor cost and time, reduces mail costs, and payments are posted expediently. Tags: policy,budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] V.I.N.E. system description V.I.N.E. is a 24 hour automated information system that provides victims of crime and their families with access to information about their offender. Using the inmate's six digit case number, crime victims may call the V.I.N.E. Hotline to receive updates on inmate information. Tags: victims,technology,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims compensation fund payments Victims' compensation fees, paid by violent-crime offenders in lieu of the supervision fee, are deposited in the Crime Victims Compensation Fund which provides payments to the innocent victims of violent crimes. Tags: victims,policy,budget Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole officer POST certification Graduates of the rigorous training are certified by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council to serve as Georgia Peace Officers sworn to protect the public. Tags: staffing,training,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole officer weapon qualification Officers qualify with a semiautomatic weapon, a skill they maintain through semi-annual re-qualifications. Tags: staffing,training,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board organizational structure The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is made up of thirteen offices. The Clemency and Field Operations Division make up the two largest divisions. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 LEGAL FACTS (13) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Fulton County Judge ruling on 90% policy A Fulton County Judge ruled that the Board's 90% policy in 1997 was implemented improperly and as a result is ineffective and has no force or effect. Date: 1997-01-01 Tags: legal,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Rule 475-3-.05 Crime Severity Level VIII offenses Offenders considered for parole using the Parole Decision Guidelines System who have been convicted of specified crimes shall be assigned a Crime Severity Level of VIII. These crimes include voluntary manslaughter, statutory rape, homicide by vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs or as a habitual traffic violator, aggravated battery on a police officer, aggravated assault on a police officer, attempted rape, involuntary manslaughter, hijacking a motor vehicle, criminal attempt to murder, aggravated assault (with injury or weapon), enticing a child for an indecent purpose, cruelty to children, child molestation, feticide by vehicle, incest, bus hijacking, robbery, aggravated stalking, aggravated battery, burglary of an occupied residence, VGCSA - Cocaine or Methamphetamine – 400 or more grams, VGCSA - Marijuana - 10,000 or more pounds, or VGCSA - Opiates – 28 or more grams. Date: 2005-01-01 Tags: legal,parole,policy,drugs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] HB 289 grants parole officers full law enforcement powers In March 2005, Governor Perdue signed HB 289 that enabled the Board to authorize Parole Officers to have full law enforcement powers in response to emergency requests for assistance. Date: 2005-03-01 Tags: legal,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole eligibility after one-third of sentence In Georgia, no prison inmate is entitled to parole. Most, however, by law are eligible to be considered for parole at some point, usually after serving one-third of their prison sentence. Tags: legal,parole,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Death sentence commutation requires three affirmative votes A majority of three affirmative votes is required to commute a death sentence. Tags: legal,death_penalty,clemency Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life sentence parole eligibility after 14 years Georgia law requires that offenders serving life sentences for violent offenses who were convicted after January 1, 1995 be considered for parole after serving 14 years in prison. Those who are denied parole are legally entitled to reviews at intervals not exceeding eight years. Date: 1995-01-01 Tags: legal,parole,sentencing,life_sentences Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon application waiting period An offender may apply for a pardon that is not based on innocence. The offender must have completed the full sentence obligation, including any court-ordered payments, and followed the sentence with an additional five years without any criminal involvement. Tags: legal,clemency,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Crime Victims Bill of Rights passage The Crime Victims Bill of Rights, passed in the state of Georgia during the 1995 legislative session, affords victims of crime a variety of rights, including the right to receive notification about the status of their case throughout the criminal justice process. Date: 1995-01-01 Tags: legal,victims,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board created in 1943 In 1943, the Georgia General Assembly enacted legislation to create the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as an independent agency to administer executive clemency, grant paroles, pardons, reprieves, the ability to commute sentences (including death sentences), to remit sentences and to remove disabilities imposed by law. Date: 1943-01-01 Tags: legal,clemency,history Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board expanded to five members in 1973 Originally the Board had only three members. In 1973 when the prison population reached 9,000 inmates, the Constitution was amended to expand the Parole Board to five members. The Board still stands at five members, although the prison population has risen to 49,864. Date: 1973-01-01 Tags: legal,history,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board member term length The Georgia Constitution provided that Parole Board Members are appointed by the Governor to serve seven-year terms, subject to confirmation by the State Senate. Tags: legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board sole authority for executive clemency The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is the only entity in the state with the constitutional authority to grant executive clemency. Tags: legal,clemency Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board sole authority to reduce capital punishment The Parole Board has the sole constitutional authority to reduce capital punishment cases to a sentence of life or life without parole. Tags: legal,death_penalty,clemency Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 CASE DETAILS (1) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Absconder Recovery Project arrests In July 2004, field Parole Officers across the state engaged in the first ever statewide absconder recovery project, culminating in the execution of Board warrants and the arrest of 86 wanted parole violators. Date: 2004-07-01 Tags: operations,parole,violence Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 TRENDS (2) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole population stable while inmate population grows While inmate population has grown each year since 1991, the parole population has remained stable. At the close of FY05, the parolee population stood at 24,276 which included over 2000 Georgia parolees supervised out of state, and almost 600 of other states' parolees living in Georgia. Tags: parole,demographics,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Georgia parole success rate exceeds national average by 14% Over the last seven years the Georgia Parole Board's success rate has exceeded the national average by 14% or more. Tags: parole,reentry,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 DATASETS (6) ---------------------------------------- # Parole supervision cost vs. prison incarceration cost per day, FY1999-FY2005 Comparison of daily cost of parole supervision versus prison incarceration in Georgia from FY1999 through FY2005. Fiscal Year Prison Cost per Day Parole Cost per Day ------------------------------------------------------- FY1999 47.68 2.5 FY2000 49.82 2.7 FY2001 49.59 2.91 FY2002 48.65 2.9 FY2003 47.49 2.8 FY2004 47.49 3.78 FY2005 46.64 4.07 # Average number of parole revocations per month, FY1998-FY2005 Average monthly parole revocations from FY1998 through FY2005, showing a 10% increase in FY2005 over FY2004. Fiscal Year Average Revocations per Month -------------------------------------------- FY1998 367 FY1999 318 FY2000 288 FY2001 261 FY2002 224 FY2003 256 FY2004 280 FY2005 307 # Georgia's adult offender population by category, FY2005 Breakdown of Georgia's total adult offender population of 503,192 by supervision/incarceration category in FY2005. Category Population --------------------------------- State Probation 262041 County Probation 133165 State Inmates 50921 State Parolees 24276 Prison Facilities 5080 Sentenced Offenders 6079 Jail Inmates 21630 # Clemency actions in FY2005 Summary of all clemency actions taken by the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles in FY2005, including releases, revocations, discharges, life decisions, and other board actions. Action Type Count ------------------------------------------- Parole Releases 8956 Supervised Reprieves 2779 Conditional Transfers 972 Commutations 1 Remissions 0 Other Release Actions 0 Total Releases 12708 Total Parole Revocations 3684 Discharge from Parole 5841 Discharge from Supervised Reprieve 1823 Commutation to Discharge Parole 171 Total Discharges 7835 Total Decisions Under Guidelines 15315 Deny Parole to Life Cases 495 Grant Parole to Life Cases 188 Total Life Decisions 683 Pardons 335 Commutation Reducing Sentence 0 Medical/Compassionate Reprieve 109 Restoration of Rights 232 Visitor Interviews 3225 Revocation Hearings 628 Preliminary Hearings 117 # Agency expenditures by category, FY2005 Detailed breakdown of Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles expenditures for FY2005 by major category. Expenditure Category Amount ----------------------------------------------------------------- Personal Services - Salaries 26961353.2 Personal Services - Temporary Labor 98762.21 Personal Services - Overtime 57107.73 Personal Services - Fringe Benefits 8316227.92 Personal Services - Unemployment Insurance 62044 Personal Services - Merit System Assessments 120246 Personal Services - Drug Testing Services 3004.5 Personal Services Total 35618745.56 Regular Operating - Motor Vehicle Expenses 420054.37 Regular Operating - Publications and Printing 6113.01 Regular Operating - Supplies and Materials 836508.14 Regular Operating - Repairs and Maintenance 78780.83 Regular Operating - Equipment Purchases <$1,000 128011 Regular Operating - Water & Sewage 7213.03 Regular Operating - Energy 176864.23 Regular Operating - Rents - other than Real Estate 7389.98 Regular Operating - Insurance and Bonding 66838.97 Regular Operating - Freight 3105.02 Regular Operating - Other Operating Expenses 184839.47 Regular Operating Total 1915718.05 Other - Travel 301832.49 Other - Motor Vehicle Purchases 314286.6 Other - Equipment Purchases 393395.49 Other - Computer Charges 705918.68 Other - Real Estate Rentals 2610931.4 Other - Telecommunications 982345.09 Other - Per Diem and Fees 1555261.85 Other - Contracts 99749.68 Other - Health Services 20000 Other - County Jail Subsidy 617490 Other Total 7601211.28 Total Expenditures 45135674.89 # Random drug testing results, FY2005 Results of random drug testing of parolees in FY2005, showing total test episodes, negative results, and positive results. Result Count Percentage ----------------------------- Negative 12015 85 Positive 2066 15 Total 14081 100 KEY ENTITIES (24) ---------------------------------------- - Bureau of Justice Statistics [organization]: Federal statistical agency within DOJ that collected and published mortality in correctional institutions data from approximately 2000 until 2019. (aka: BJS) - Crime Victims Bill of Rights [legislation]: Legislation passed in the State of Georgia during the 1995 legislative session that affords victims of crime a variety of rights including notification about case status throughout the criminal justice process. - Crime Victims Compensation Fund [program]: Fund that receives victims' compensation fees paid by violent-crime offenders and provides payments to innocent victims of violent crimes. - Criminal Justice Coordinating Council [organization]: Georgia state agency administering the Crime Victims Compensation Program (aka: CJCC) - Eugene Walker [person]: Member of the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Appointed May 6, 1999, reappointed December 31, 1999. Former State Senator and Commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice. (aka: Dr. Eugene Walker) - Fulton County [facility]: Georgia county where the Board of Commissioners chairman said he had 'never heard of' the welfare fund oversight committee - Garfield Hammonds, Jr. [person]: Board Member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Appointed in 1995 and reappointed in 2002. Former DEA Special Agent and Special Agent in Charge of the Southeast Region. Served as Board chairman during 1996. (aka: Mr. Hammonds) - Garland R. Hunt, Esq. [person]: Vice-Chairman of the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Appointed January 21, 2004. Attorney and ordained minister, co-pastor of The Father's House in Norcross, Georgia. (aka: Vice-Chairman Garland Hunt) - Georgia Bureau of Investigation [organization]: Georgia state law enforcement agency that conducts some criminal investigations involving the prisons (aka: GBI) - Georgia Crisis Response Team [program]: Newly established group organized by the Prosecuting Attorneys Council and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for crisis response. (aka: CRT) - Georgia Department of Corrections [organization]: State agency responsible for operating Georgia's prison system. Subject of federal DOJ investigation in 2022-2023 for constitutional violations including food-related deaths. (aka: GDC) - Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles [organization]: Georgia state agency responsible for parole decisions - HB 289 [legislation]: Legislation signed by Governor Perdue in March 2005 that enabled the Board to authorize Parole Officers to have full law enforcement powers in response to emergency requests for assistance. (aka: House Bill 289) - Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision [organization]: Commission responsible for creating and upholding rules governing interstate transfer of adult offender supervision. Comprises all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands. (aka: ICAOS) - L. Gale Buckner [person]: Board Member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, appointed January 2005 by Governor Sonny Perdue. Served as Vice Chair and as Chair from July 2008 until June 30, 2010. Former Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and former GBI agent. (aka: Board Member L. Gale Buckner, Ms. Buckner) - Milton E. Nix, Jr. [person]: Board Member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Appointed in June 2002 to fill an interim term, then appointed to a full seven year term in December 2002. Served as Board Chairman from 2002 to 2006. Former FBI Special Agent and GBI Director. (aka: Buddy Nix, Mr. Nix) - National Organization for Victims Assistance [organization]: Oldest national group promoting rights and services for victims of crime and crisis. Founded in 1975. Certifies crisis responders. (aka: NOVA) - Office of Victim Services [organization]: Joint office of the Department of Corrections and State Board of Pardons and Paroles serving victims of crime and their families. (aka: Victim Services) - Parole Board Rule 475-3-.05 [legislation]: New agency rule adopted November 18, 2005, replacing the 90% policy. Establishes Crime Severity Level VIII for specified offenses and corresponding parole guidelines recommendations. (aka: Rule 475-3-.05) - Peace Officer Standards and Training Council [organization]: Georgia state entity that trains and in some cases investigates GDC officers (aka: POST) - Sonny Perdue [person]: Former Governor of Georgia who appointed Terry Barnard to the Parole Board and Brian Owens as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections. (aka: Governor Perdue) - Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. [organization]: Contractor providing cognitive behavioral ASAM Level 1 substance abuse services to parolees under a contractual agreement with the Parole Board in FY05. (aka: Spectrum) - TAPP [program]: Interagency cooperative program providing case managers who facilitate access to community mental health treatment for mentally disordered offenders upon release from incarceration. (aka: Treatment and Aftercare for Probationers and Parolees) - V.I.N.E. [program]: 24-hour automated information system providing victims of crime and their families with access to information about their offender's custody status. (aka: Victim Information and Notification Everyday) SOURCES (1) ---------------------------------------- - State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024, State Board of Pardons and Paroles by State Board of Pardons and Paroles (2024-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://pap.georgia.gov