GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: BOPP Annual Report FY2016 — Georgia Parole Board ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-08-21 23:17:52 EDT Research Date: 2026-08-13 Topic: Parole JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/bopp-annual-report-fy2016-georgia-parole-board/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY2016 Annual Report documents a year of major organizational transition following the transfer of parole supervision to the new Department of Community Supervision, reducing the agency from nearly 700 employees to fewer than 200. The Board made 64,695 clemency decisions and released 13,374 offenders from prison, achieving a 72% parole completion rate compared to a national average of approximately 62%. The report highlights a cost avoidance of more than $450 million from offenders on parole rather than incarcerated, and emphasizes strengthened partnerships with criminal justice stakeholders and victims through new notification processes and Victims Visitors' Days. STATISTICS (126) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] FY16 Board clemency decisions total In Fiscal Year 2016, the Board Members made 64,695 clemency decisions. This total includes all Board decisions which require a vote and multiple decisions in each offender's case considered during the fiscal year. Value: 64695.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 offenders released from prison In FY16, the Parole Board released 13,374 offenders from prison through all forms of clemency to include releasing inmates on parole. This total was down 146 from the previous fiscal year. Value: 13374.0 offenders (vs. 13520 FY15 releases) Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 parole successful completion rate Georgia's percentage of parolees successfully completing parole in FY16 was 72%. The national average was approximately 62%. Value: 72.0 percent (vs. 62 National average) Tags: parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] FY16 annual cost avoidance from parole In FY16, the annual cost avoidance to the prison system as a result of offenders on parole is calculated at $450,289,141. Value: 450289141.0 dollars Tags: parole,budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 parole population decrease During Fiscal Year 2016, the population of offenders on parole and under community supervision decreased from 23,859 on July 1, 2015, to 22,901 under community supervision in Georgia on June 30, 2016. Value: 22901.0 offenders (vs. 23859 July 1, 2015 population) Tags: parole,demographics,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 cumulative parole supervision total The cumulative number of offenders under parole supervision in Georgia during the fiscal year was 36,648. Value: 36648.0 offenders Tags: parole,demographics,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 parole warrants issued In FY16, a total of 8,763 warrants were issued by the Parole Board for the arrest of alleged parole violators. Value: 8763.0 warrants Tags: parole,operations,violence Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 parole violators returned to prison During FY16, the Board returned (revoked) 2,505 parole violators to prison to serve their sentences in confinement. That number is down slightly from 2,655 for the previous fiscal year. Value: 2505.0 offenders (vs. 2655 FY15 revocations) Tags: parole,operations,violence Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 technical violation revocation percentage Of the FY16 revocations, fewer than 8% were revoked due to technical violations which include drug use, curfew violations, or failure to pay fines and fees. Value: 8.0 percent Tags: parole,operations,drugs,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 final revocation hearings conducted Parole Board Members conducted 244 final revocation hearings during FY16. Value: 244.0 hearings Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 preliminary revocation hearings In FY16, there were 76 preliminary revocation hearings conducted. Value: 76.0 hearings Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 offender files initiated by Clemency Division In FY16, there were 15,853 offender files initiated for consideration by the Clemency Division. Value: 15853.0 files Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 CONS notifications made In FY16, 31,294 notifications (all types) were made through CONS (Clemency Online Navigation System). Value: 31294.0 notifications Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 preconditions to parole imposed There were 11,647 preconditions to parole imposed on inmates by the Board during the fiscal year. Value: 11647.0 preconditions Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 clemency investigations completed In FY16, the clemency investigators completed 33,789 investigations for the Parole Board. Value: 33789.0 investigations Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 files imaged by scanning unit The Clemency Division's scanning and imaging unit imaged 14,884 files in FY 2016. Value: 14884.0 files Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 parole certificates issued In FY16, 7,233 parole certificates were issued. Value: 7233.0 certificates Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 out-of-state parole orders In FY16, 426 out-of-state parole orders were issued. Value: 426.0 orders Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 conditional transfers In FY16, 904 conditional transfers were processed. Value: 904.0 transfers Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 out-of-state conditional transfers In FY16, 183 out-of-state conditional transfers were processed. Value: 183.0 transfers Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 supervised reprieves In FY16, 1,517 supervised reprieves were granted. Value: 1517.0 reprieves Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 out-of-state supervised reprieves In FY16, 21 out-of-state supervised reprieves were granted. Value: 21.0 reprieves Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 commutations In FY16, 2,850 commutations were granted. Value: 2850.0 commutations Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 medical reprieves In FY16, 25 medical reprieves were granted. Value: 25.0 reprieves Tags: parole,medical,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 out-of-state ICE orders In FY16, 215 out-of-state ICE orders were processed. Value: 215.0 orders Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 discharges from parole In FY16, 9,159 offenders were discharged from parole. Value: 9159.0 offenders Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 initial decisions under guidelines In FY16, 6,888 initial decisions were made under the Parole Decision Guidelines. Value: 6888.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 other guidelines decisions In FY16, 1,551 other guidelines decisions were made. Value: 1551.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 total guidelines decisions In FY16, 8,439 total guidelines decisions were made. Value: 8439.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 life-sentenced cases denied parole In FY16, 1,504 life-sentenced cases were denied parole. Value: 1504.0 cases Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 life-sentenced cases granted parole In FY16, 163 life-sentenced cases were granted parole. Value: 163.0 cases Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 total life-sentenced case decisions In FY16, 1,667 total life-sentenced case decisions were made. Value: 1667.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 restoration of rights granted In FY16, 100 restorations of rights were granted. Value: 100.0 restorations Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 pardon grants In FY16, 587 pardons were granted. Value: 587.0 pardons Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 total pardons and restorations granted In FY16, 687 total pardons and restorations were granted. Value: 687.0 grants Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 pardon applications received In FY16, 1,479 pardon and restoration of rights applications were received. Value: 1479.0 applications Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 pardons granted without firearms restored In FY16, 241 pardons were granted without firearms being restored. Value: 241.0 pardons Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 pardons granted with firearms restored In FY16, 346 pardons were granted with firearms being restored. Value: 346.0 pardons Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 restorations of civil and political rights In FY16, 71 restorations of civil and political rights were granted. Value: 71.0 restorations Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 restorations with firearms restored In FY16, 29 restorations of civil and political rights with firearms restored were granted. Value: 29.0 restorations Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 pardon notification increase There was an increase of 206 over the number of applications approved by the Board from the previous year. During the fiscal year there were 503 fewer applications filed compared to the previous year. Value: 206.0 applications Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 pardon notifications sent During FY16, the Parole Board sent 1,450 notifications regarding ex-offenders applying for pardons. Value: 1450.0 notifications Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 No Turning Back Recovery Program admissions In FY16, there were 207 admissions to the No Turning Back Recovery Program at the Washington Parole Detention Center. Value: 207.0 admissions Tags: parole,drugs,mental_health,operations,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 No Turning Back Recovery Program graduates One hundred forty-two (142) parolees graduated from the No Turning Back Recovery Program (including those admitted the previous year) and were returned to parole supervision. Value: 142.0 graduates Tags: parole,drugs,mental_health,operations,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 No Turning Back Recovery Program discharges In FY16, there were 63 discharges from the No Turning Back Recovery Program. Those offenders were returned to the general prison population. Value: 63.0 discharges Tags: parole,drugs,mental_health,operations,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 offenders released to out-of-state supervision In FY16, 447 offenders were released/paroled to out-of-state supervision. Value: 447.0 offenders Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 offenders under out-of-state supervision As of June 30, 2016, 1,908 offenders were under out-of-state supervision. Value: 1908.0 offenders Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 offenders under Georgia supervision from other states As of June 30, 2016, 1,112 offenders were under Georgia supervision from other states. Value: 1112.0 offenders Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 offenders released to ICE for deportation In FY16, 215 offenders were released to ICE for deportation. Value: 215.0 offenders Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 victim phone calls handled In FY16, 7,140 phone calls from victims were handled by staff of the Georgia Office of Victim Services. Value: 7140.0 phone calls Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 victim correspondences sent In FY16, 12,270 correspondences were sent to victims in response to concerns. Value: 12270.0 correspondences Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 victim impact statements filed In FY16, 4,716 victim impact statements and notifications were filed with the office. Value: 4716.0 statements Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 new V.I.P. registrants For FY16, there were 1,905 new V.I.P. registrants. Value: 1905.0 registrants Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 V.I.P. phone calls logged In FY16, 6,796 phone calls from victims were logged into the V.I.P. system. Value: 6796.0 phone calls Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 V.I.P. calls made to victims In FY16, the V.I.P. system made 581 calls to victims of crime. Value: 581.0 calls Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 Victim Offender Dialogue sessions In FY16, the Georgia Office of Victim Services conducted six Victim Offender Dialogue sessions involving victims and offenders. Value: 6.0 sessions Tags: victims,operations,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 Victims Visitors' Days attendance In FY16, the Board conducted three Victims Visitors' Days resulting in more than 400 victims and family members meeting directly with the Board Members in the communities where the victims live. Value: 400.0 victims and family members Tags: victims,operations,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 victim satisfaction rate at Visitors' Days According to exit surveys, 97% of victims participating in the three Victims Visitors' Days in FY16 stated that all of their questions were answered to their satisfaction. Value: 97.0 percent Tags: victims,operations,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Fort Valley Victims Visitors' Day attendance More than 150 Georgia crime victims attended the Parole Board's Victims Visitors' Day held on July 30, 2015, at Fort Valley State University. Value: 150.0 victims Date: 2015-07-30 Tags: victims,operations,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Brunswick Victims Visitors' Day attendance 170 crime victims met with the Parole Board in Brunswick, Georgia, at the Victims Visitors' Day held on October 15, 2015, at the Glynn County Courthouse. Value: 170.0 victims Date: 2015-10-15 Tags: victims,operations,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jonesboro Victims Visitors' Day attendance The 25th Victims Visitors' Day was the largest in history with 223 victims attending on April 19, 2016, in Jonesboro, Georgia. Value: 223.0 victims Date: 2016-04-19 Tags: victims,operations,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Victims Visitors' Days conducted through FY16 Through FY16, 25 separate Victims Visitors' Day events have been conducted over ten years, 17 different communities have hosted, and the Parole Board has met with more than 3,000 victims. Value: 25.0 events Tags: victims,operations,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 second solicitation notifications sent For the only reporting month (June) of FY 2016, 275 second solicitations/notifications were sent to judges and prosecutors. Value: 275.0 notifications Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 Board vote alignment with guidelines In FY 16, the Board voted 82% of the time with the guidelines recommendation which may include denying parole. Value: 82.0 percent Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 state inmates incarcerated There were more than 54,000 state inmates incarcerated in Georgia prisons and other facilities at the close of FY16. Value: 54000.0 inmates Tags: facilities,demographics,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 offenders under parole supervision There were 24,968 offenders under parole supervision (in-state and out-of-state) at the close of FY16. Value: 24968.0 offenders Tags: parole,demographics,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 total expenditures FY2016 total expenditures for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles were $45,782,940. Value: 45782940.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 personal services expenditures In FY2016, personal services expenditures were $42,181,904. Value: 42181904.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 regular operating expenditures In FY2016, regular operating expenditures were $1,134,224. Value: 1134224.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 motor vehicle expenditures In FY2016, motor vehicle expenditures were $781,282. Value: 781282.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 equipment expenditures In FY2016, equipment expenditures were $29,032. Value: 29032.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 telecommunications expenditures In FY2016, telecommunications expenditures were $192,246. Value: 192246.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 computer charges In FY2016, computer charges were $252,845. Value: 252845.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 contracts expenditures In FY2016, contracts expenditures were $652,040. Value: 652040.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 real estate rental expenditures In FY2016, real estate rental expenditures were $270,572. Value: 270572.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 county jail subsidy expenditures In FY2016, county jail subsidy expenditures were $288,795. Value: 288795.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 federal funds In FY2016, federal funds totaled $142,982. Value: 142982.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 other funds In FY2016, other funds totaled $293,321. Value: 293321.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 GO bonds In FY2016, GO Bonds totaled $765,000. Value: 765000.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 state funds In FY2016, state funds totaled $44,581,637. Value: 44581637.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 total funds In FY2016, total funds were $45,782,940. Value: 45782940.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 combined restitution collections In FY16, $13,327,120 was collected in total for parole supervision fees, victim compensation, and restitution fees via the consolidated banking unit of the Department of Corrections. Value: 13327120.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 Executive Order transfer to DCS An Executive Order transferred $10,058,280 to the Department of Community Supervision at the beginning of FY 2016. Value: 10058280.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 state funds transfer to DCS In FY 2017, $29,720,450 in state funds, mainly for payroll, was transferred to DCS. Value: 29720450.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Agency budget decrease since FY2016 The agency budget has decreased by over 70% since the beginning of FY 2016. Value: 70.0 percent Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 employees at beginning of fiscal year At the beginning of Fiscal Year 2016, the agency had 589 employees: 167 non-sworn and 422 sworn. Value: 589.0 employees Date: 2015-07-01 Tags: staffing,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 employees at end of fiscal year On July 1, 2016, the agency had 186 employees: 131 non-sworn and 55 sworn. Value: 186.0 employees Date: 2016-07-01 Tags: staffing,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 employee gender breakdown As of July 1, 2016, the agency had 34 male and 152 female employees. Value: 34.0 male employees (vs. 152 female employees) Date: 2016-07-01 Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 employee age distribution As of July 1, 2016, employee ages: 20-29 years: 5; 30-39 years: 41; 40-49 years: 53; 50-59 years: 67; 60+ years: 20. Value: 186.0 employees Date: 2016-07-01 Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 employee ethnicity distribution As of July 1, 2016, employee ethnicity: Multi-racial: 1; Asian: 2; Hispanic: 2; Black: 101; White: 80. Value: 186.0 employees Date: 2016-07-01 Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 staff training hours delivered In FY2016, staff training hours delivered totaled 661. Value: 661.0 hours Tags: staffing,operations,training Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 sworn staff training hours delivered In FY2016, sworn staff training hours delivered totaled 2,386. Value: 2386.0 hours Tags: staffing,operations,training Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 non-sworn staff training hours delivered In FY2016, non-sworn staff training hours delivered totaled 945. Value: 945.0 hours Tags: staffing,operations,training Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 instructor training hours to other agencies In FY2016, instructor training hours delivered to other agencies totaled 1,522. Value: 1522.0 hours Tags: staffing,operations,training Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 parole investigators in Clemency Division Forty-seven parole investigators work in the Clemency Division. Thirty-nine parole investigators are assigned to the field and predominantly complete post sentence investigations and profiles for all offenders sentenced by Georgia courts. Eight parole investigators are assigned to work within the prisons to conduct personal history statements on inmates during the diagnostic process. Value: 47.0 investigators Tags: staffing,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 parole officers on payroll during transition 400+ Parole Officers remained on the Parole payroll throughout FY16, although operationally transferred to DCS. Value: 400.0 officers Tags: staffing,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Prison cost per day exceeded parole cost per day In FY16, prison incarceration cost $52.95 per day while parole supervision cost $3.54 per day. Value: 52.95 dollars per day (vs. 3.54 Parole cost per day) Tags: budget,parole,facilities,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY12 prison cost per day In FY12, prison incarceration cost $51.19 per day. Value: 51.19 dollars per day Tags: budget,facilities,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 prison cost per day In FY13, prison incarceration cost $53.00 per day. Value: 53.0 dollars per day Tags: budget,facilities,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 prison cost per day In FY14, prison incarceration cost $52.81 per day. Value: 52.81 dollars per day Tags: budget,facilities,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 prison cost per day In FY15, prison incarceration cost $52.81 per day. Value: 52.81 dollars per day Tags: budget,facilities,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY12 parole cost per day In FY12, parole supervision cost $4.94 per day. Value: 4.94 dollars per day Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 parole cost per day In FY13, parole supervision cost $4.32 per day. Value: 4.32 dollars per day Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 parole cost per day In FY14, parole supervision cost $4.03 per day. Value: 4.03 dollars per day Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 parole cost per day In FY15, parole supervision cost $4.49 per day. Value: 4.49 dollars per day Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY12 cost avoidance In FY12, cost avoidance due to parole was $351 million. Value: 351000000.0 dollars Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 cost avoidance In FY13, cost avoidance due to parole was $409 million. Value: 409000000.0 dollars Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 cost avoidance In FY14, cost avoidance due to parole was $469 million. Value: 469000000.0 dollars Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 cost avoidance In FY15, cost avoidance due to parole was $451 million. Value: 451000000.0 dollars Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY12 Georgia parole completion rate In FY12, Georgia's parole completion rate was 72%. Value: 72.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 Georgia parole completion rate In FY13, Georgia's parole completion rate was 74%. Value: 74.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 Georgia parole completion rate In FY14, Georgia's parole completion rate was 72%. Value: 72.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 Georgia parole completion rate In FY15, Georgia's parole completion rate was 72%. Value: 72.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY12 national parole completion rate In FY12, the national parole completion rate was 58%. Value: 58.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 national parole completion rate In FY13, the national parole completion rate was 62%. Value: 62.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 national parole completion rate In FY14, the national parole completion rate was 59%. Value: 59.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 national parole completion rate In FY15, the national parole completion rate was 59%. Value: 59.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 national parole completion rate In FY16, the national parole completion rate was 62%. Value: 62.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY12 prison releases In FY12, 12,606 offenders were released from prison. Value: 12606.0 offenders Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 prison releases In FY13, 15,634 offenders were released from prison. Value: 15634.0 offenders Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 prison releases In FY14, 16,212 offenders were released from prison. Value: 16212.0 offenders Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 prison releases In FY15, 13,520 offenders were released from prison. Value: 13520.0 offenders Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY12 parole revocations In FY12, 2,618 parole violators were returned to prison. Value: 2618.0 offenders Tags: parole,operations,violence Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 parole revocations In FY13, 2,199 parole violators were returned to prison. Value: 2199.0 offenders Tags: parole,operations,violence Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 parole revocations In FY14, 2,380 parole violators were returned to prison. Value: 2380.0 offenders Tags: parole,operations,violence Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 parole revocations In FY15, 2,655 parole violators were returned to prison. Value: 2655.0 offenders Tags: parole,operations,violence Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 LEGAL FACTS (17) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Board established by 1943 constitutional amendment In 1943, the Board was established through a constitutional amendment and consisted of three members. Date: 1943-01-01 Tags: legal,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board expanded to five members in 1973 In 1973, as the prison population rose to 9,000, the Constitution was amended to increase the Board to five members. Date: 1973-01-01 Tags: legal,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board has sole authority to commute death sentences The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is the only entity in Georgia with the constitutional authority to commute a death sentence. The Governor does not have this authority in Georgia. Tags: legal,death,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board members appointed to seven-year staggered terms The Georgia Constitution provides that Parole Board Members are to be appointed by the Governor to seven year staggered terms, subject to confirmation by the State Senate. Tags: legal,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life sentence parole eligibility for pre-1995 seven deadly sins If a crime considered to be a 'seven deadly sin' was committed prior to 1995, the offender is eligible after seven years. Tags: legal,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life sentence parole eligibility for 1995 seven deadly sins In 1995, offenders committing seven deadly sin crimes became eligible after serving fourteen years. Date: 1995-01-01 Tags: legal,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life sentence parole eligibility for post-July 2006 seven deadly sins If the crime is committed after July 1, 2006, the offender is eligible for parole after serving thirty years. Date: 2006-07-01 Tags: legal,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board is only entity with death sentence commutation authority The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is the only entity in Georgia with the constitutional authority to commute a death sentence. The Governor does not have this authority in Georgia. Additionally, the Board is also the sole authority in the state to make informed decisions on which state inmates are deserving of parole. Tags: legal,death,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim notification statutory requirement Registered victims of a crime are given notification at the time the Board is considering a parole release, allowing for a period of time for the victim to send the Board information about the case. (O.C.G.A. § section 17-17-13) Tags: legal,victims,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 72-hour statutory notification requirement Judges, district attorneys, sheriffs (of the county of residence prior to arrest) and registered victims also receive a 72-hour statutory notification that the offender is about to be paroled. (O.C.G.A. § section 42-9-47) Tags: legal,victims,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole eligibility statutory references Parole eligibility is governed by O.C.G.A. 42.9.45 (b) and 42.9.46 (1/3). Tags: legal,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pending release notification statutory references Pending release notifications are governed by O.C.G.A. 42.9.47 and O.C.G.A. 42.9.44(a). Tags: legal,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] HB310 created Department of Community Supervision During FY 2015, HB310 was passed creating the Department of Community Supervision (DCS). Tags: legal,operations,policy,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board holds sole constitutional authority for executive clemency The Parole Board holds the sole constitutional authority to grant executive clemency to a condemned inmate. In Georgia, no inmate is entitled to parole, however, by law, most are eligible for consideration. Tags: legal,parole,death,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon does not expunge criminal record A pardon does not expunge, remove or erase crimes from a person's criminal record. A pardon is an order of official forgiveness and may be granted to individuals who have maintained a good reputation in their community and have remained crime free following the completion of their sentence(s). Tags: legal,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Documents not public under Georgia law Documents that are not public and protected by Georgia law from public disclosure include but are not limited to: victim correspondence; the offender's medical information; GCIC/NCIC reports; the hearing examiner's executive summary of the offender's case; the Board ballot; the offender's residence plan verification; correspondence to the Board including from those opposing parole for the offender; parole investigations; pardon application; and the petition for commutation of a death sentence. Tags: legal,parole,operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Public documents in parole file Many documents in the parole file on the offender are public. They may include (if applicable to the offender) but are not limited to: sentencing documents; notifications to the offender regarding the Board's decision; notice of consideration for parole prior to serving one-third of the sentence (only if applicable); notice of the final decision to parole; correspondence sent by the Board in response to an offender's correspondence or in response to correspondence sent on behalf of the offender; parole certificate; notice of the preliminary revocation hearing; the preliminary hearing summary; the waiver of the preliminary revocation hearing; notice of the final revocation hearing; the waiver of the final revocation hearing; revocation orders; the public portion of the revocation hearing recording; court production orders; detainers; subpoenas; Board arrest warrants; the certificate of discharge from parole; the pardon order; restoration of political and civil rights order; commutation order; and Board orders in death penalty cases. Tags: legal,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 POLICYS (38) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Life-sentenced inmates reconsidered at least every eight years If parole is denied to a life-sentenced inmate, the Board, by policy, will reconsider the case again at least once every eight years. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Sex offender pardon application requirements Applicants seeking a pardon for offenses requiring registration on Georgia's Sex Offender Registry must be crime free for ten years following the completion of all sentences, as opposed to five years for all other conviction types. These applicants must also provide a current copy of their most recent risk level evaluation as assigned by the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board (SORRB), provide a psychosexual evaluation, and submit to a disclosure polygraph as part of the application process. Tags: legal,parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 2015 legislative changes to pardon process Legislative changes in 2015 resulted in changes to the pardon process. A notification process was created informing registered victims and prosecutors, in specific cases, when an offender is seeking a pardon. Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: legal,parole,policy,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole supervision fee priority policy The Parole Board's policy regarding supervision fees require that each parolee pay only one type of fee. Court-ordered restitution which goes directly to the victim is the first priority. Payments to the Georgia Crime Victims Emergency Fund (GCVEF), as required by statute, are next, followed by parole supervision fees. Tags: parole,policy,budget,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Sworn staff annual training requirement Sworn staff must complete a minimum of 20 hours annually which includes mandatory firearms requalification and use of deadly force. Non-sworn staff must complete a minimum of eight hours annually. Tags: staffing,operations,training,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Three of five Board members required for decision Three of the five board members (a majority) must agree on a decision. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Eligible inmates automatically considered for parole Eligible inmates are automatically considered for parole. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Tentative Parole Month can be rescinded The Tentative Parole Month or 'grant' can be rescinded at any time. The TPM is not a release date or a final parole release decision. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life-sentenced inmates may complete work release as precondition A life-sentenced inmate receiving a 'grant' parole decision may be required to complete a Department of Corrections' work release program as a precondition to parole. Tags: parole,operations,policy,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole revocation hearings use video conferencing Parole Revocation Hearings are conducted from the Board's central office in Atlanta via video conferencing or in person at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, Georgia. Use of this technology has reduced travel costs not only for the Parole Board, but for both the Department of Corrections and the Department of Community Supervision, as well. Tags: parole,operations,policy,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] District Operations Managers assigned to ten judicial districts District Operations Managers are assigned to the ten (10) Judicial Districts and are an integral link between the Board and the Department of Community Supervision (DCS) as it relates to parole violators. Tags: parole,operations,policy,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia is member of ICAOS The Georgia Parole Board, in FY16, was a member of the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS). ICAOS is responsible for creating and upholding the rules of the Commission. ICAOS is comprised of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Tags: parole,operations,policy,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Information Program is 24-hour automated system The Georgia Office of Victim Services operates the Victim Information Program or V.I.P. This is a 24-hour automated information system which provides crime victims and their families with access to information about the offender. Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Offender Dialogue can only be initiated by victim VOD can only be initiated by the victim and the offender must voluntarily agree to participate and must acknowledge his/her role in the crime. Tags: victims,operations,policy,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Support Partners program initiated in FY16 During FY16, the Georgia Office of Victim Services initiated the Victim Support Partners program whereas crime victims partner with the office to lend their support to other victims of crime. This new statewide network of dedicated victim volunteers was established to assist, guide and comfort other crime victims. Tags: victims,operations,policy,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims Visitors' Day program began in 2006 The Victims Visitors' Day program began in 2006. Date: 2006-01-01 Tags: victims,operations,policy,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board conducts monthly policy meetings The Board conducts monthly meetings at which policy decisions are made. Offender cases are not discussed and parole decisions are not made at the monthly Board Meetings. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole consideration hearings are not held Parole consideration hearings are not held; however, each offender entering the Georgia prison system is interviewed by Board personnel. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board actively solicits input throughout consideration process The Board also actively solicits input and accepts pleas for and protests against executive clemency throughout the consideration process from community stakeholders, including victims and criminal justice partners. Tags: parole,operations,policy,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Factors Board Members consider for parole The following is information that may be in the offender's parole file that the Board Members can consider when determining if someone receives parole: aggravating circumstances; victim impact statements; prosecutor/judicial statements; legal investigations including details/circumstances of the crime(s); the parole guidelines recommendation, if applicable; inmate progress reports; inmate interviews, if applicable; program completions/failures; prison conduct; inmate disciplinary reports; amount of the prison sentence served; inmate's mental health status and progress; if probation is to be served after confinement; offender's age at the crime commit date; prior parole considerations; number of prior felonies; prior revocations; prior incarcerations; personal history statement; and the parole release plan. Tags: parole,operations,policy,mental_health Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole can be delayed or denied at final review Parole could be delayed or denied as a result of the offender not completing required programming, poor prison conduct, or because of detainers, warrants or new sentences. A release date that is set can be rescinded at any time prior to the release. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life-sentenced inmates may receive expedited reviews Life-sentenced inmates who have been denied parole and have a scheduled reconsideration date may receive expedited parole reviews if the Board receives new information that warrants an earlier review. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Members and senior staff visited state prisons During FY16, the Board Members and senior staff continued visiting state prisons, meeting and informing inmates of the Board's expectations in order to be approved for parole. Tags: parole,operations,policy,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Agency guided by the 4Es The agency is guided by the 4Es: Engaging Stakeholders, Educating the Community, Eliciting Active Participation, and Enhancing Operations. Ultimately, enhanced operations equate to improved public safety. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board developed additional solicitation/notification process During the fiscal year, the Board developed and put into action an additional solicitation/notification process whereas judges and district attorneys are now notified when the Board, by law, must consider an eligible offender for parole. The process allows the judge and prosecutor to send the Board correspondence regarding the case that reflects current community views. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Second solicitation implemented June 2016 In order to ensure the Board has current information about the cases, in June of 2016, the Board implemented a second solicitation/notification to judges and district attorneys. Now, six months prior to an offender becoming parole eligible, the Board sends a notification to the judge and district attorney informing them that the Board is preparing the case for statutory parole consideration and is requesting information about the case. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Agreement with Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia Based on an agreement between the Board and the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia, notification is made for specific offenses including attempted aggravated child molestation, attempted aggravated sexual battery, attempted aggravated sodomy, attempted armed robbery, attempted kidnapping, pimping or pandering a child under the age of 18, RICO prohibited activities, trafficking persons for sexual servitude, aggravated assault (with injury or weapon), aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault with intent to murder, rape or rob, aggravated battery, aggravated battery on a police officer, aggravated stalking, attempted murder, attempted rape, burglary of an occupied residence, burglary of an unoccupied residence (committed on/after 10/21/13), bus hijacking, child molestation, cruelty to a child 1st degree, enticing a child for indecent purposes, feticide by vehicle, hijacking motor vehicle, home invasion 1st and 2nd degree, homicide by vehicle while DUI or habitual violator, incest, involuntary manslaughter, robbery, statutory rape, VGCSA - Cocaine or Meth (400+ grams), VGCSA - Marijuana (10,000+ pounds), VGCSA - Opiates (28+ grams), voluntary manslaughter, murder and felony murder, kidnapping and kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated sodomy, armed robbery, and rape. Tags: parole,operations,policy,legal,drugs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole investigators conduct post-sentence investigations Parole investigators conduct and complete investigations collecting information about the offender's conviction offenses. The process includes interviewing inmates for personal history statements and completing post sentence investigations. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 2015 changes to investigation procedures In 2015, the Parole Board made changes to the investigation procedures for a pardon applicant requesting restoration of firearm rights and for investigations necessary for inmates serving a life sentence. Both types of investigations require face-to-face interviews with the offender and/or ex-offender. These interviews are now conducted by the Board's criminal investigators who are P.O.S.T. certified. Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: parole,operations,policy,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] CONS implemented since 2011 Since 2011, the process of preparing a case for consideration by the Board has been completed electronically in CONS (Clemency Online Navigation System). CONS has proven to be more effective and efficient than the prior paper based process. Date: 2011-01-01 Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Digital document management implemented 2006 The Board in 2006 implemented a digital document management system for the imaging of the Board's closed files. The imaging process is a key part of the larger Clemency Online Navigation System (CONS), and integrates digital images into the division's electronic business model. Date: 2006-01-01 Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] All parole eligible cases voted electronically Currently all parole eligible inmate cases in Georgia are voted electronically by the Board. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] No Turning Back Recovery Program description The No Turning Back Recovery Program located at the Washington Parole Detention Center is an intensive addiction treatment program for parolees who are both higher risk and higher need offenders who were not successful in community-based treatment and supervision. Tags: parole,drugs,mental_health,operations,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia Office of Victim Services supported by three agencies The Georgia Office of Victim Services is supported by three state agencies which are the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Community Supervision. Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Offender Dialogue program description The Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) program provides an opportunity for victims of violent crimes to have a structured, safe, direct, one-on-one meeting with the offender who committed the crime. The program allows the victim and offender to discuss the crime and its impact on the victim. VOD requires a lengthy preparation process involving both the victim and the offender working separately with a trained facilitator. Tags: victims,operations,policy,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Additional services of Georgia Office of Victim Services Additional services of the Georgia Office of Victim Services include: Victim Impact Statements and Protest Letters are submitted to the Parole Board for review; Notification of parole consideration, release, and supervision of offenders; Advocacy for victims, including assisting victims with unwanted contact from offenders and offender compliance with court-mandated conditions; Victim referrals to community based resources and services; and Preparation and orientation for family members of homicide victims for pending executions in death penalty cases. Tags: victims,operations,policy,death Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chairman Barnard served on Board of Community Supervision Mr. Barnard also serves on the Board of Community Supervision. The board has regulatory oversight of the Department of Community Supervision which is responsible for the supervision of felony offenders on probation and parole in Georgia. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Vice Chairman Mills served on Board of Community Supervision Mr. Mills currently serves on the Board of Community Supervision. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 FINDINGS (15) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Board votes with guidelines recommendation 82% of time In FY 16, the Board voted 82% of the time with the guidelines recommendation which may include denying parole. Board Members maintain discretion and authority to determine, in the interest of public safety, which individuals should not be paroled and remain in prison. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole completion rate among top in nation The Board's 72% parole successful completion rate remains among the top in the nation and well above the national average. Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board reorganization reduced workforce With the direct supervision of parolees being transferred to the newly created Department of Community Supervision, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles changed from an agency of nearly 700 employees to fewer than 200. Tags: staffing,operations,policy,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole consideration process fully electronic The Board's parole consideration process is now completely electronic. From data input to voting by the Board Member, the process is paperless and completely electronic. During FY16 the Board completed the conversion of life-sentenced cases from paper or hardcopy files to electronic files. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life-sentenced case processing time reduced Life-sentenced cases that historically have taken approximately 90-days to process to the Board, now take less than two weeks. Tags: parole,operations,efficiency Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board uses scientific guidelines and risk assessment The Board's scientific guidelines and risk assessment system, information from victims, the courts, district attorneys, the offender and the public, result in Board decisions that reflect the views of the community and the current state of the criminal justice system in Georgia while keeping Georgians safe. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines incorporate risk assessment The Parole Decision Guidelines incorporate a scientifically based, data driven risk assessment instrument with time to serve guidelines. Through application, the amount of sentence an offender should serve prior to possibly being released on parole is predictable. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Guidelines system being updated for sentencing trends The Board is currently updating the guidelines system to reflect the latest sentencing trends based on Georgia offender information. This process improvement will provide Board Members with additional scientific data to assist in making the most informed decisions possible. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole allows management of finite prison beds Parole allows for the effective management of the finite resource of prison beds allowing the Department of Corrections to utilize the number of beds available for the most serious offenders. Tags: parole,facilities,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole provides incentive for rehabilitation Without parole, the offender has little incentive to improve while incarcerated and little incentive to complete programming and make significant change. Tags: parole,reentry,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board worked within Criminal Justice Reform framework During the fiscal year, the Parole Board worked effectively within Georgia's Criminal Justice Reform framework resulting in a safer Georgia for all. Tags: parole,operations,policy,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Intermediate sanctions reduce technical revocations The appropriate recommendations and enforcement of intermediate sanctions, such as treatment referral, administrative hearings, voice recognition or GPS monitoring, day reporting centers and parole detention centers results in the low percentage of technical parole violators being revoked and returned to prison. Tags: parole,operations,policy,drugs,mental_health Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Purpose of intermediate sanctions The purpose of intermediate sanctions is to bring the offenders back into compliance and revoke to prison the offenders who are a threat to public safety. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board leadership conducted stakeholder meetings During the fiscal year, with the goal of enhancing public safety in Georgia, the Board leadership and senior management conducted meetings to inform and educate both criminal justice partners and stakeholders about the parole consideration process in Georgia and the Board's critical role and responsibility in the criminal justice system. These meetings involved local law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, state, city and county officials, and community leaders. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board worked within Criminal Justice Reform framework During the fiscal year, the Parole Board worked effectively within Georgia's Criminal Justice Reform framework resulting in a safer Georgia for all. Tags: parole,operations,policy,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 TRENDS (3) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole releases declined for second consecutive year This is the second consecutive year that parole releases have declined in Georgia, as prison commitments have decreased each of the last two years. Tags: parole,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life sentence average time served increased since 1973 In 1973, life-sentenced inmates served less than nine years in prison, on average, before being released from prison. By year 2000, the average had risen to more than 15 years. By 2010, the average time served on a life sentence was nearly 20 years and in 2015, a life-sentenced inmate served on average more than 25 years in prison prior to being released. Tags: parole,legal,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole revocation numbers declined since FY12 Parole revocation numbers declined from 2,618 in FY12 to 2,505 in FY16, with intermediate years showing 2,199 (FY13), 2,380 (FY14), and 2,655 (FY15). Tags: parole,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 QUOTES (1) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Chairman Barnard quote on Victims Visitors' Days "The Board believes that by meeting with crime victims in their communities, victims are empowered and it allows them to chart a pathway toward becoming a survivor. That is the purpose behind a Victims Visitors' Day." – Parole Board Chairman Terry Barnard Tags: victims,operations,program Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 METHODOLOGY NOTES (3) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] State prison costs for FY16 estimated State Prison costs for FY16 are not available at the time this report is published and therefore are estimated costs. Tags: budget,operations,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Restitution collections reported as combined total Restitution collections are reported as a combined total of funds collected by the Department of Corrections and the Parole Board. Tags: budget,operations,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] National completion rate source is Bureau of Justice Statistics The Georgia/National Average Completion Rates chart cites the Bureau of Justice Statistics as the national source. Tags: parole,operations,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 DATASETS (14) ---------------------------------------- # Prison releases by fiscal year Total offenders released from prison through all forms of clemency, FY2012-FY2016 Fiscal Year Offenders Released --------------------------------- FY12 12606 FY13 15634 FY14 16212 FY15 13520 FY16 13374 # Parole revocations by fiscal year Number of parole violators returned to prison, FY2012-FY2016 Fiscal Year Revocations -------------------------- FY12 2618 FY13 2199 FY14 2380 FY15 2655 FY16 2505 # Prison vs parole cost per day Daily cost comparison of prison incarceration versus parole supervision, FY2012-FY2016 Fiscal Year Prison Cost Per Day Parole Cost Per Day ------------------------------------------------------- FY12 51.19 4.94 FY13 53 4.32 FY14 52.81 4.03 FY15 52.81 4.49 FY16 52.95 3.54 # Cost avoidance by fiscal year Annual cost avoidance to the prison system due to offenders on parole, FY2012-FY2016 Fiscal Year Cost Avoidance ----------------------------- FY12 351000000 FY13 409000000 FY14 469000000 FY15 451000000 FY16 450289141 # Georgia vs national parole completion rates Comparison of Georgia and national parole successful completion rates, FY2012-FY2016. National source: Bureau of Justice Statistics. Fiscal Year Georgia Completion Rate National Completion Rate ---------------------------------------------------------------- FY12 72 58 FY13 74 62 FY14 72 59 FY15 72 59 FY16 72 62 # Average prison time served for life sentences Average years served in prison by life-sentenced inmates before release, selected years 1973-2015 Year Average Years Served ---------------------------- 1973 9 2000 15 2010 20 2015 25 # FY2016 expenditures by category State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY2016 expenditures broken down by category Category Amount ------------------------------- Personal Services 42181904 Regular Operating 1134224 Motor Vehicle 781282 Equipment 29032 Telecommunications 192246 Computer Charges 252845 Contracts 652040 Real Estate Rental 270572 County Jail Subsidy 288795 # FY2016 funds by source State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY2016 funding sources Fund Source Amount ----------------------- Federal 142982 Other 293321 GO Bonds 765000 State 44581637 Total Funds 45782940 # FY2016 employee age distribution Age distribution of State Board of Pardons and Paroles employees as of July 1, 2016 Age Range Employees ------------------------ 20-29 years 5 30-39 years 41 40-49 years 53 50-59 years 67 60+ years 20 # FY2016 employee ethnicity distribution Ethnicity distribution of State Board of Pardons and Paroles employees as of July 1, 2016 Ethnicity Employees ------------------------- Multi-racial 1 Asian 2 Hispanic 2 Black 101 White 80 # FY2016 clemency actions Detailed breakdown of clemency actions taken by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in FY2016 Action Type Count --------------------------------------------- Parole Certificates 7233 Out-of-State Parole Orders 426 Conditional Transfers 904 Out-of-State Conditional Transfers 183 Supervised Reprieves 1517 Out-of-State Supervised Reprieves 21 Commutations 2850 Medical Reprieves 25 Out-of-State ICE Orders 215 Total Prison Releases by Parole 13374 Total Discharges from Parole 9159 Initial Decisions Under Guidelines 6888 Other Guidelines Decisions 1551 Total Guidelines Decisions 8439 Life Sentenced Cases Denied Parole 1504 Life Sentenced Cases Granted Parole 163 Total Life Sentenced Case Decisions 1667 Restoration of Rights Granted 100 Pardon Grants 587 Total Pardons & Restorations Granted 687 Preliminary Revocation Hearings 76 Final Revocation Hearings 244 # FY2016 pardon applications Pardon application and grant statistics for FY2016 Category Count ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Applications Received 1479 Pardons granted without firearms being restored 241 Pardons granted with firearms being restored 346 Restorations of civil & political rights 71 Restoration of civil & political rights with firearms restored 29 Total Applications Granted 687 # FY2016 Interstate Compact activity Interstate Compact Unit activity for FY2016 Category Count ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Offenders Released/Paroled to Out-of-State Supervision 447 Offenders under Out-of-State Supervision (June 30, 2016) 1908 Offenders under Georgia Supervision from other states (June 30, 2016) 1112 Offenders Released to ICE for Deportation 215 # FY2016 employee training statistics Employee training hours delivered in FY2016 Category Hours -------------------------------------------------------------- Staff training hours delivered 661 Sworn staff hours delivered 2386 Non-sworn staff hours delivered 945 Instructor training hours delivered to other agencies 1522 KEY ENTITIES (30) ---------------------------------------- - Board of Community Supervision [organization]: Oversight board created by HB 310 (2015) to oversee DCS and private/governmental misdemeanor probation entities. Consists of commissioners from GDC, DJJ, Board of Pardons and Paroles, and DBHDD. Chaired by Steve Queen (former CSRA executive) as of 2025. - Braxton T. Cotton [person]: Member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Appointed November 2013 by Governor Nathan Deal. Former Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Transition, Support and Reentry. (aka: Mr. Cotton) - Brian Owens [person]: Vice Chairman of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles for FY2019. Appointed to the Parole Board on February 1, 2015 by Governor Nathan Deal. Former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections. (aka: Brian Owens, Vice Chairman) - 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) - Christopher L. Barnett [person]: Executive Director of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles since August 2015. Joined the agency in 2003 as a parole officer. Native of Hinesville, Georgia. MPA from Georgia Southern University. (aka: Chris Barnett) - Clemency Online Navigation System [program]: Electronic case management system used by the Parole Board to prepare cases for consideration, access offender case material, and make clemency decisions electronically. (aka: CONS) - Criminal Justice Coordinating Council [organization]: Georgia state agency administering the Crime Victims Compensation Program (aka: CJCC) - Department of Community Supervision [organization]: Georgia state agency created by HB310 in FY2015, responsible for the supervision of felony offenders on probation and parole in Georgia. Offenders released on parole are supervised by DCS. (aka: DCS) - Georgia Crime Victims Emergency Fund [program]: Fund receiving statutorily required payments from parolees, second priority after court-ordered restitution. (aka: GCVEF) - 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 Diagnostic and Classification Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison from which David 'Toro' Zavala operated drug trafficking while serving time for armed robbery. - Georgia Office of Victim Services [organization]: Division of the Parole Board providing post-conviction services to crime victims. Represents the Parole Board, GDC, and DCS. (aka: GOVS) - Governor's Office of Transition, Support and Reentry [organization]: Office established in June 2013 with Braxton Cotton as Executive Director, with the primary mission to coordinate all state resources affecting prisoner reentry within Georgia. - HB310 [legislation]: Legislation that created the Department of Community Supervision (DCS) during FY2015. - 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) - Jacqueline Bunn [person]: Member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Appointed effective July 1, 2016 by Governor Nathan Deal, reappointed to a full seven-year term in December 2016. Former Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. (aka: Jacqueline Bunn, Esq., Ms. Bunn) - James W. Mills [person]: Member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Served as chairman for FY2018 and vice chairman for FY2015-FY2017. Appointed to the Board in November 2011 by Governor Nathan Deal. Former State Representative from Hall County. (aka: James Mills) - Nathan Deal [person]: Former Georgia Governor (2011-2019) whose justice reinvestment reforms (2012-2015) resulted in a 6% prison population decrease, $264M in averted costs, and $57M reinvested. (aka: Governor Deal) - No Turning Back Recovery Program [program]: Intensive addiction treatment program for parolees at the Washington Parole Detention Center who are higher risk and higher need offenders not successful in community-based treatment and supervision. - Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia [organization]: Stakeholder organization engaged by the Parole Board in FY25. - Rita Rocker [person]: Deputy Executive Director appointed June 1, 2015. Also served as Director of Georgia Office of Victim Services from September 2020 to June 2024. - Sexual Offender Registration Review Board [organization]: Board that assigns risk level evaluations to sex offenders. Applicants seeking pardons for offenses requiring registration on Georgia's Sex Offender Registry must provide their most recent risk level evaluation from this board. (aka: SORRB) - 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) - State Board of Pardons and Paroles [organization]: Georgia state entity that serves as a reporting entity for sexual abuse allegations in prisons - State Commission on Family Violence [organization]: Commission that works to educate and raise awareness about family violence in Georgia. Evaluates services, researches the need for additional services, and offers and monitors proposed legislation concerning family violence. - Terry E. Barnard [person]: Board Member and second longest serving chair in the Board's 80-year history. Served as chairman from July 2014 to June 2017 and July 2018 to June 2024. Former State Representative for nearly 16 years. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [organization]: Federal agency to which foreign national offenders are released for deportation. (aka: ICE) - Victim Information Program [program]: 24-hour automated notification system operated by the Georgia Parole Board's Office of Victim Services (1-800-593-9474) (aka: V.I.P.) - Victim Offender Dialogue [program]: Program providing structured, safe, direct, one-on-one meetings between victims of violent crimes and the offenders who committed the crimes. Can only be initiated by the victim. (aka: VOD) - Washington Parole Detention Center [facility]: Parole detention center in Washington, Georgia, housing the No Turning Back Recovery Program. SOURCES (2) ---------------------------------------- - Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics by Bureau of Justice Statistics (2024-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://bjs.ojp.gov - 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