GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: BOPP Annual Report FY2017 — Georgia Parole Board ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-08-21 21:10:03 EDT Research Date: 2026-08-13 Topic: Parole JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/bopp-annual-report-fy2017-georgia-parole-board/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY2017 Annual Report documents a continued decline in parole releases (10,468, down 2,906 from FY16) alongside a rise in average time served for life-sentenced offenders to over 26 years. The Board implemented an updated Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System based on 26,000+ cases and expanded stakeholder notifications, including 3,272 secondary solicitations to judges and prosecutors. The report highlights a 71% Georgia parole completion rate versus a 62% national average, and calculates $377 million in annual cost avoidance from parole supervision compared to incarceration. STATISTICS (141) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] FY17 Total Clemency Decisions In Fiscal Year 2017, the Board Members made 71,969 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. This total does not reflect the total number of inmate cases considered. Value: 71969.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Total Prison Releases by Parole The Parole Board released 10,468 offenders from prison through all forms of clemency to include releasing inmates on parole during the fiscal year. This total represented 2,906 fewer releases from the previous fiscal year. Value: 10468.0 offenders (vs. 2906 fewer releases than previous fiscal year) Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 Total Prison Releases by Parole The Parole Board released 13,374 offenders from prison in FY16, based on the FY17 report noting FY17 releases were 2,906 fewer than the previous fiscal year. Value: 13374.0 offenders Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 Total Prison Releases by Parole The Parole Board released 13,520 offenders from prison in FY15. Value: 13520.0 offenders Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 Total Prison Releases by Parole The Parole Board released 16,212 offenders from prison in FY14. Value: 16212.0 offenders Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 Total Prison Releases by Parole The Parole Board released 15,634 offenders from prison in FY13. Value: 15634.0 offenders Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Parole Completion Rate Georgia's percentage of parolees successfully completing parole in FY17 was 71%. The national average was an estimated 62%. Value: 71.0 percent (vs. 62 national average) Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024; Bureau of Justice Statistics - [confirmed] FY17 Parole Population Decrease During Fiscal Year 2017, the population of offenders on parole under community supervision decreased from 22,901 on July 1, 2016, to 22,737 on June 30, 2017. Value: 22737.0 offenders (vs. 22901 population on July 1, 2016) Tags: parole,operations,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Cumulative Parole Supervision Population The cumulative number of offenders under parole supervision in Georgia during the fiscal year was 34,610. Value: 34610.0 offenders Tags: parole,operations,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Parole Discharges The number of offenders discharging from parole was 8,770 in FY17. Value: 8770.0 offenders Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Parole Revocations During FY17, the Board revoked 2,681 parole violators returning the offenders to prison to serve their sentences in confinement. The number revoked increased by 176 from the previous fiscal year. Value: 2681.0 revocations (vs. 176 increase from previous fiscal year) Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 Parole Revocations The Board revoked 2,505 parole violators in FY16. Value: 2505.0 revocations Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 Parole Revocations The Board revoked 2,655 parole violators in FY15. Value: 2655.0 revocations Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 Parole Revocations The Board revoked 2,380 parole violators in FY14. Value: 2380.0 revocations Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 Parole Revocations The Board revoked 2,199 parole violators in FY13. Value: 2199.0 revocations Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Technical Violation Revocation Rate Of the FY17 total number of revocations, less than 1% were revoked on the basis of technical violations only which include, but not limited to, drug use, curfew violations, or failure to pay fines and fees. Value: 1.0 percent Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Parole Board Warrants Issued In FY17, a total of 7,765 warrants were issued by the Parole Board. Value: 7765.0 warrants Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 GCIC/NCIC Warrant Entries In FY17, the GCIC Unit entered 4,300 warrants into the GCIC/NCIC system. Value: 4300.0 warrants Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Final Revocation Hearings Parole Board Members conducted 366 final revocation hearings during FY17. Value: 366.0 hearings Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Preliminary Revocation Hearings There were 145 preliminary revocation hearings in FY17. Value: 145.0 hearings Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Clemency Investigations Completed In FY17, the clemency investigators completed 36,660 investigations for the Parole Board. Value: 36660.0 investigations Tags: parole,operations,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Offender Files Initiated for Consideration In FY17, there were 20,112 offender files initiated for consideration by the Clemency Division. Value: 20112.0 files Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 CONS Notifications Generated In FY17, 28,867 notifications (all types) were generated by CONS (Clemency Online Navigation System). Value: 28867.0 notifications Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Preconditions to Parole Imposed There were 12,997 preconditions to parole imposed by the Board on inmates during the fiscal year. Value: 12997.0 preconditions Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Secondary Solicitations to Judges and Prosecutors For FY17, 3,272 second solicitations/notifications were sent to judges and prosecutors. Value: 3272.0 notifications Tags: parole,operations,policy,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Pardon and Restoration Applications Received In FY17, 1,068 pardon and restoration of rights applications were received. There were 411 fewer applications received during the fiscal year compared to the previous year. Value: 1068.0 applications (vs. 411 fewer than previous year) Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Pardon and Restoration Applications Granted In FY17, 719 pardon and restoration of rights applications were granted (all types). There was a grant increase of 32 over the number of applications approved by the Board the previous year. Value: 719.0 applications (vs. 32 increase over previous year) Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Pardons Granted Without Firearms Restored In FY17, 249 pardons were granted without firearms being restored. Value: 249.0 pardons Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Pardons Granted With Firearms Restored In FY17, 341 pardons were granted with firearms being restored. Value: 341.0 pardons Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Restorations of Civil and Political Rights In FY17, 105 restorations of civil and political rights were granted. Value: 105.0 restorations Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Restorations of Civil and Political Rights With Firearms In FY17, 24 restorations of civil and political rights were granted with firearms restored. Value: 24.0 restorations Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Pardon Notifications Sent During FY17, the Parole Board sent 722 notifications regarding ex-offenders applying for pardons. Value: 722.0 notifications Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Life Sentence Cases Granted Parole In FY17, 104 life sentence cases were granted parole. Value: 104.0 cases Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Life Sentence Cases Denied Parole In FY17, 1,471 life sentence cases were denied parole. Value: 1471.0 cases Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Total Life Sentence Case Decisions In FY17, there were 1,575 total life sentence case decisions. Value: 1575.0 decisions Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 Life Sentence Cases Granted Parole In FY16, 151 life sentence cases were granted parole. Value: 151.0 cases Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 Life Sentence Cases Denied Parole In FY16, 1,230 life sentence cases were denied parole. Value: 1230.0 cases Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 Life Sentence Cases Granted Parole In FY15, 133 life sentence cases were granted parole. Value: 133.0 cases Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 Life Sentence Cases Denied Parole In FY15, 1,145 life sentence cases were denied parole. Value: 1145.0 cases Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 Life Sentence Cases Granted Parole In FY14, 144 life sentence cases were granted parole. Value: 144.0 cases Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 Life Sentence Cases Denied Parole In FY14, 1,504 life sentence cases were denied parole. Value: 1504.0 cases Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 Life Sentence Cases Granted Parole In FY13, 163 life sentence cases were granted parole. Value: 163.0 cases Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 Life Sentence Cases Denied Parole In FY13, 577 life sentence cases were denied parole. Value: 577.0 cases Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average Prison Time Served for Life Sentences in 2017 In 2017, a life-sentenced inmate served on average more than 26 years in prison prior to being released. Value: 26.0 years Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: parole,legal,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average Prison Time Served for Life Sentences in 2010 By 2010, the average time served on a life sentence was nearly 20 years. Value: 20.0 years Date: 2010-01-01 Tags: parole,legal,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average Prison Time Served for Life Sentences in 2000 By year 2000, the average time served on a life sentence had risen to more than 15 years. Value: 15.0 years Date: 2000-01-01 Tags: parole,legal,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average Prison Time Served for Life Sentences in 1973 In 1973, life-sentenced inmates convicted of serious violent felonies served less than nine years in prison, on average, before being released from prison. Value: 9.0 years Date: 1973-01-01 Tags: parole,legal,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Annual Cost Avoidance from Parole In FY17, the annual cost avoidance to the prison system as a result of offenders serving their sentence on parole is calculated at $377,115,611. Value: 377115611.0 dollars Tags: parole,budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 Annual Cost Avoidance from Parole In FY16, the annual cost avoidance to the prison system as a result of offenders serving their sentence on parole was $450 million. Value: 450000000.0 dollars Tags: parole,budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 Annual Cost Avoidance from Parole In FY15, the annual cost avoidance to the prison system as a result of offenders serving their sentence on parole was $451 million. Value: 451000000.0 dollars Tags: parole,budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 Annual Cost Avoidance from Parole In FY14, the annual cost avoidance to the prison system as a result of offenders serving their sentence on parole was $469 million. Value: 469000000.0 dollars Tags: parole,budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 Annual Cost Avoidance from Parole In FY13, the annual cost avoidance to the prison system as a result of offenders serving their sentence on parole was $409 million. Value: 409000000.0 dollars Tags: parole,budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Prison Incarceration Cost Per Day The Department of Corrections cost per day submitted for FY17 is $53.76. Value: 53.76 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Parole Supervision Cost Per Day The Department of Community Supervision cost per day submitted for FY17 is $2.12. Value: 2.12 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 Prison Incarceration Cost Per Day The Department of Corrections cost per day submitted for FY16 was $52.95. Value: 52.95 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY16 Parole Supervision Cost Per Day The Department of Community Supervision cost per day submitted for FY16 was $3.54. Value: 3.54 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 Prison Incarceration Cost Per Day The Department of Corrections cost per day submitted for FY15 was $52.81. Value: 52.81 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY15 Parole Supervision Cost Per Day The Department of Community Supervision cost per day submitted for FY15 was $4.03. Value: 4.03 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 Prison Incarceration Cost Per Day The Department of Corrections cost per day submitted for FY14 was $52.81. Value: 52.81 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY14 Parole Supervision Cost Per Day The Department of Community Supervision cost per day submitted for FY14 was $4.49. Value: 4.49 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 Prison Incarceration Cost Per Day The Department of Corrections cost per day submitted for FY13 was $53.00. Value: 53.0 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY13 Parole Supervision Cost Per Day The Department of Community Supervision cost per day submitted for FY13 was $4.32. Value: 4.32 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Total Agency Expenditures FY 2017 Expenditures totaled $16,846,903. Value: 16846903.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 State Funds Budget In FY17, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles had $16,625,503 in state funds. Value: 16625503.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Other Funds In FY17, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles had $221,288 in other funds. Value: 221288.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Federal Funds In FY17, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles had $112 in federal funds. Value: 112.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Personal Services Expenditures In FY17, personal services expenditures were $14,759,063. Value: 14759063.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Regular Operating Expenditures In FY17, regular operating expenditures were $532,295. Value: 532295.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Computer Charges Expenditures In FY17, computer charges expenditures were $175,051. Value: 175051.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Real Estate Rental Expenditures In FY17, real estate rental expenditures were $415,805. Value: 415805.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Telecommunications Expenditures In FY17, telecommunications expenditures were $167,320. Value: 167320.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Contracts Expenditures In FY17, contracts expenditures were $487,139. Value: 487139.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 County Jail Subsidy Expenditures In FY17, county jail subsidy expenditures were $310,230. Value: 310230.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Funds Transferred to DCS In FY17, PAP transferred $29,720,450 in state funds, mainly for payroll, to DCS. Value: 29720450.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations 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 FY2016. Value: 10058280.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations 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] FY17 Total Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 184 employees in FY17: 53 sworn and 131 non-sworn; 35 male and 149 female. Value: 184.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Sworn Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 53 sworn employees in FY17. Value: 53.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Non-Sworn Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 131 non-sworn employees in FY17. Value: 131.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Male Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 35 male employees in FY17. Value: 35.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Female Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 149 female employees in FY17. Value: 149.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Black Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 103 Black employees in FY17. Value: 103.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 White Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 76 White employees in FY17. Value: 76.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Multi-Racial Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 1 multi-racial employee in FY17. Value: 1.0 employee Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Hispanic Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 2 Hispanic employees in FY17. Value: 2.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Asian Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 2 Asian employees in FY17. Value: 2.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Employees Age 20-29 The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 8 employees aged 20-29 in FY17. Value: 8.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Employees Age 30-39 The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 37 employees aged 30-39 in FY17. Value: 37.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Employees Age 40-49 The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 47 employees aged 40-49 in FY17. Value: 47.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Employees Age 50-59 The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 75 employees aged 50-59 in FY17. Value: 75.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Employees Age 60+ The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 17 employees aged 60+ in FY17. Value: 17.0 employees Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Sworn Training Hours Taken In FY17, sworn staff took 3,234 training hours. Value: 3234.0 hours Tags: operations,staffing,training Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Non-Sworn Training Hours Taken In FY17, non-sworn staff took 1,316 training hours. Value: 1316.0 hours Tags: operations,staffing,training Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Training Hours Delivered Within Agency In FY17, 1,833 training hours were delivered within the agency. Value: 1833.0 hours Tags: operations,staffing,training Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Training Hours Delivered to Outside Stakeholders In FY17, 1,616 training hours were delivered to outside stakeholders. Value: 1616.0 hours Tags: operations,staffing,training Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Documents Scanned into Case Management Systems During FY17, 39,880 documents were scanned into the case management systems (Portal, CONS and TRIM system) utilized by the Board to make parole decisions. Value: 39880.0 documents Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Archived Files Imaged 13,452 archived files were imaged during the fiscal year. Value: 13452.0 files Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Remaining Archived Files to be Imaged There are approximately 183,536 archived files remaining to be imaged. Value: 183536.0 files Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Scanning and Imaging Transition Completion The transition to a paperless environment began in 2010, and is close to 80% complete. Value: 80.0 percent Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 No Turning Back Recovery Program Admissions In FY17, there were 231 admissions to the No Turning Back Recovery Program. Value: 231.0 admissions Tags: parole,mental_health,operations,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 No Turning Back Recovery Program Graduates One hundred eighty-one (181) parolees graduated (including those admitted the previous year) from the No Turning Back Recovery Program and were returned to parole supervision. Value: 181.0 parolees Tags: parole,mental_health,operations,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 No Turning Back Recovery Program Discharges There were 44 discharges from the No Turning Back Recovery Program in FY17. Those offenders were returned to the general prison population. Value: 44.0 discharges Tags: parole,mental_health,operations,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Offenders Released to Out-of-State Supervision During FY17, the Interstate Compact Unit released 414 offenders to out-of-state supervision. Value: 414.0 offenders Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia Offenders Under Active Parole Supervision in Compact States As of June 30, 2017, there were 2,327 Georgia offenders under active parole supervision in Compact states. Value: 2327.0 offenders Date: 2017-06-30 Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Compact State Offenders on Parole Supervision in Georgia As of June 30, 2017, there were 1,304 other Compact state offenders on parole supervision in Georgia. Value: 1304.0 offenders Date: 2017-06-30 Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Foreign National Offenders Released to ICE Via the ICE Rapid REPAT (Removal of Eligible Parolees Accepted for Transfer) Program, 147 foreign national offenders were released to ICE for deportation at an estimated cost avoidance of $8,257,251.66. Value: 147.0 offenders (vs. 8257251.66 estimated cost avoidance in dollars) Tags: parole,operations,transfers,budget Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Victim Phone Calls Handled by Staff In FY17, 7,910 phone calls from victims were handled by staff. Value: 7910.0 phone calls Tags: operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Victim Correspondences Sent In FY17, 12,086 correspondences were sent to victims in response to concerns. Value: 12086.0 correspondences Tags: operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Victim Impact Statements and Notifications Filed In FY17, 2,539 victim impact statements and notifications were filed with the office. Value: 2539.0 statements and notifications Tags: operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 New V.I.P. Registrants For FY17, there were 2,473 new V.I.P. registrants. Value: 2473.0 registrants Tags: operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 V.I.P. Phone Calls Logged For FY17, 6,349 phone calls from victims were logged into the V.I.P. system. Value: 6349.0 phone calls Tags: operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 V.I.P. Calls Made to Victims For FY17, the V.I.P. system made 510 calls to victims of crime. Value: 510.0 calls Tags: operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY17 Victim Offender Dialogue Sessions In FY17, the Georgia Office of Victim Services conducted seven Victim Offender Dialogue sessions involving victims and offenders. Value: 7.0 sessions Tags: operations,victims,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Victims Visitors' Days Conducted Through FY17 Through June 30, 2017, the Parole Board has conducted 27 Victims Visitors' Days events across Georgia, meeting with more than 3,300 crime victims and their family members. Value: 27.0 events (vs. 3300 victims and family members met) Tags: operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Milledgeville Victims Visitors' Day Attendance The second largest attendance in history for a Victims Visitors' Day occurred in Milledgeville as 214 crime victims met with parole staff including Parole Board Members. The victims present represented 100 parole case files reviewed during the day. Value: 214.0 victims (vs. 100 parole case files reviewed) Date: 2016-10-13 Tags: operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Dahlonega Victims Visitors' Day Attendance In recognition of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, the Parole Board met with 110 crime victims in Dahlonega. The victims present represented forty-eight case files. Victims attending this event came from thirty-one Georgia counties and victims traveled from three other states to attend. Value: 110.0 victims (vs. 48 case files represented) Date: 2017-04-06 Tags: operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims Visitors' Day Satisfaction Rate According to exit surveys at two events in FY17, 100% of the victims participating stated that all of their questions were answered to their satisfaction. Value: 100.0 percent Tags: operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System Data Source ARS used statistical data from more than 26,000 Georgia parole cases to recommend updates to the guidelines. Value: 26000.0 parole cases Tags: parole,policy,operations,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia Prison Population Exceeds 50,000 Today, as the inmate population exceeds 50,000, the Board still consists of five voting members. Value: 50000.0 inmates Tags: demographics,facilities,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia Prison Population in 1973 In 1973, the prison population rose to 9,000. Value: 9000.0 inmates Date: 1973-01-01 Tags: demographics,facilities,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Investigators Staffing Fifty-five parole investigators work in the Clemency Division. Fifty parole investigators are assigned to the field and predominantly complete post sentence investigations and profiles for all offenders sentenced by Georgia courts. Five parole investigators are assigned to work within the prisons to conduct personal history statements on inmates during the diagnostic process at which time they will interview inmates. Value: 55.0 investigators Tags: operations,staffing,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] DOC Surpassed 2,000 GED Completions in FY17 The ceremony at Lee Arrendale State Prison marked the Department of Corrections' milestone of surpassing 2,000 GED completions for the fiscal year. Value: 2000.0 GED completions Tags: education,operations,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims Visitors' Day Communities Hosted Through FY17, 19 different communities have hosted Victims Visitors' Day events. Value: 19.0 communities Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 400+ Parole Officers Remained on Parole Payroll in FY16 400+ Parole Officers remained on the Parole payroll throughout FY16, although operationally transferred to DCS. Value: 400.0 parole officers Tags: operations,staffing,budget Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Certificates Issued in FY17 In FY17, 6,577 parole certificates were issued. Value: 6577.0 certificates Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-State Parole Orders in FY17 In FY17, there were 297 out-of-state parole orders. Value: 297.0 orders Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Conditional Transfers in FY17 In FY17, there were 766 conditional transfers. Value: 766.0 transfers Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-State Conditional Transfers in FY17 In FY17, there were 183 out-of-state conditional transfers. Value: 183.0 transfers Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Supervised Reprieves in FY17 In FY17, there were 1,234 supervised reprieves. Value: 1234.0 reprieves Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-State Supervised Reprieves in FY17 In FY17, there were 17 out-of-state supervised reprieves. Value: 17.0 reprieves Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Commutations in FY17 In FY17, there were 1,215 commutations. Value: 1215.0 commutations Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Medical Reprieves in FY17 In FY17, there were 32 medical reprieves. Value: 32.0 reprieves Tags: parole,medical,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-State ICE Orders in FY17 In FY17, there were 147 out-of-state ICE orders. Value: 147.0 orders Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Discharges from Parole in FY17 In FY17, there were 8,770 total discharges from parole. Value: 8770.0 discharges Tags: parole,operations,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Initial Guidelines Decisions in FY17 In FY17, there were 8,581 initial guidelines decisions. Value: 8581.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Other Guidelines Decisions in FY17 In FY17, there were 2,143 other guidelines decisions. Value: 2143.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Guidelines Decisions in FY17 In FY17, there were 10,724 total guidelines decisions. Value: 10724.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Restoration of Rights Granted in FY17 In FY17, 129 restorations of rights were granted. Value: 129.0 restorations Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Grants in FY17 In FY17, there were 590 pardon grants. Value: 590.0 pardons Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Pardons and Restorations Granted in FY17 In FY17, there were 719 total pardons and restorations granted. Value: 719.0 grants Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Annual Cost Avoidance Over $377 Million The annual cost avoidance to the state, due to offenders being under parole supervision as opposed to housing them in prison, was more than $377 million for FY17. Value: 377000000.0 dollars Tags: parole,budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 FINDINGS (43) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System First Developed The Board's Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System was first developed in 1979 and codified in 1980 and has been updated several times since. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System Updated in FY17 In Fiscal Year 2017, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles completed an update of the Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System. The Board partnered with Applied Research Services (ARS), Inc., to update the guidelines system. Current changes were developed over a two year period and were developed in line with the state's criminal justice reform efforts. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Update: Crime Severity Levels Updates to the Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System included raising the crime severity level of certain conviction types. The higher the crime severity level, the more serious the offense and the likely result is a recommendation for the offender to serve a longer period of time prior to parole. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Update: Prior Arrest Episodes On the risk to reoffend scale, the Board now includes prior arrest episodes in place of conviction history for the offender. Research has proven arrests to be a better statistical predictor of future criminal behavior. Tags: parole,policy,operations,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Update: Sentencing Averages The updated guidelines take into account statewide sentencing averages and parole decisions by previous boards. Tags: parole,policy,operations,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Members Full-Time State Employees Board Members are full-time state employees from various professions including criminal justice and private business. Tags: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Releases Announced at Graduation Ceremonies To draw attention and comparison to the absolute necessity for inmates to complete programming, the Board announced several parole releases at inmate program graduation ceremonies. Tags: parole,reentry,operations 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. Through FY17, 27 separate events have been conducted, 19 different communities have hosted, and the Parole Board has met with more than 3,300 victims. Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Meetings with Defense Attorneys and Public Defenders Meetings with criminal defense attorneys and public defenders from across the state were conducted on several occasions allowing for their input into the parole process, providing the Board an additional perspective when making informed data driven parole process decisions. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Criminal Justice Reform Council Participation During the 2017 legislative session, the Parole Board actively participated in the Criminal Justice Reform Council's meetings as a way to engage stakeholders in the parole process. Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: parole,operations,policy,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Stakeholder Engagement Board Members, executive staff and senior leadership conducted informative meetings and events with criminal defense lawyers, district attorneys, public defenders, judges, local/county/state and federal law enforcement agencies, various human rights groups, and victims of crime, where information was shared to ensure all worked in unison to strengthen our criminal justice system here in Georgia and our clemency consideration process. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Members Serve on Board of Community Supervision James W. Mills and Braxton T. Cotton both serve 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: operations,policy,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Enhancements Under Terry Barnard's Leadership Under Terry Barnard's leadership as chairman, enhancements to the parole consideration process were made to include increased board notifications to solicit additional case information, increased access to the Board and the decision making process for victims, and the first revision to the Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System since 2007. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Federal Funds Removed from Budget in FY17 In FY17, all appropriated Federal Funds were removed from the budget except bank fee funds. Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] No Bond Funds for Motor Vehicle Purchases in FY17 The agency did not receive any bond funds for motor vehicle purchases in FY17, but several new vehicles were leased. Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Supervision Fees Moved to DCS The agency is no longer tasked with collecting supervision fees as this function has been moved to the Department of Community Supervision. Tags: budget,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Website The Parole Board's website is located at www.pap.georgia.gov. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Contact Information The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is located at 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive S.E., Suite 458, East Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334-4909. Phone: 404.657.9450. Tags: operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Members in FY17 The FY17 Parole Board consisted of James W. Mills (Chairman), Braxton T. Cotton (Vice Chairman), Terry E. Barnard (Member), Brian Owens (Member), and Jacqueline Bunn, Esq. (Member). Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Leadership in FY17 The FY17 executive leadership included Christopher L. Barnett (Executive Director), Rita Rocker (Deputy Executive Director), James 'Bubba' Williams (Clemency Director), Shalandra D. Robertson (Victims Services Director), and Rick Jacobs (Field Services Director). Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] District Operations Managers Assigned to 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: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] ICAOS Membership The State Board of Pardons and Paroles, in FY17, was a member of the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS). ICAOS is comprised of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Tags: operations,policy,transfers 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] Prosecutors Routinely Provide Information to Board The state's prosecutors routinely provide information to the Board regarding cases. During the post-sentence investigation conducted by parole investigators, the judge and the district attorney have the opportunity to provide information and his/her view of the case. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Process Continuously Reviewed The pardon process is continuously reviewed in order to ensure informed decisions are the result. Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Field Services Division Units The Field Services Division is comprised of four units: District Operations Manager Unit; Scanning and Imaging Unit; GCIC Entry Unit; and the Interstate Compact Unit. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Best Practices Best practices in parole decision-making support routine reviews and updates to the guidelines. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Engaged Offenders and Community for Reentry In FY17, the Parole Board engaged both the offender and the community in order to ensure success after parole. Community and family support is essential for the offender to be successful while on parole. Information obtained in these engagements enables the Board to have a complete profile of the offender, another important element of scientific, informed, data driven parole decisions. Tags: parole,reentry,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Staff Visited Prisons and Attended Graduations Offenders were also engaged throughout the fiscal year as parole staff visited prisons and attended inmate graduations celebrating completions of necessary reentry programming. In facilities across the state, parole staff interviewed inmates and discussed their reentry plans with them. Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Members Met with Crime Victims for Over a Decade In FY17, the Parole Board Members continued more than a decade of scheduling meetings with crime victims. Partnering with local victim-witness assistance offices and the Georgia Office of Victim Services, the Board Members visited two Georgia communities during the fiscal year, sitting down with victims in direct, individual, face-to-face meetings. Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Offender Dialogue Contact Information Victims interested in the Victim Offender Dialogue program may contact the Georgia Office of Victim Services at 404-651-6668. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] V.I.P. Registration Forms Available Online The V.I.P. registration forms are available online at www.pap.georgia.gov or by calling 404-651-6668. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] V.I.P. Phone Number The V.I.P. system phone number is 800-593-9474. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Information Available Online More information regarding the Board's application of the current Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System can be found at www.pap.georgia.gov/parole-consideration-eligibility. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Process Information Available Online For more information on parole eligibility and the Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System visit: www.pap.georgia.gov. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Consideration Information Available Online For more information: https://pap.georgia.gov/parole-consideration Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Serious Violent Felony Notification Offenses List The offenses included in this notification process can be found at https://pap.georgia.gov/parole-process-georgia-0. Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Manages Finite Prison Beds As a result of data driven decisions, Georgia's scientific parole consideration process keeps the public safe and assists the Department of Corrections in keeping the finite number of prison beds dedicated for the most serious offenders. Tags: parole,operations,policy,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Eliminated Paper Files The Parole Board has eliminated the production of paper files and continues the process of imaging the last of the existing paper files. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] All Parole Eligible Inmate Cases Voted Electronically Now all parole eligible inmate cases in Georgia may be voted electronically by the Board. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] CONS Improved Business Processes CONS has significantly improved the agency's business processes. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Actively Worked to Educate Stakeholders The agency actively worked to educate all stakeholders about the parole process and encouraged their participation in the process. As a result, additional enhancements were made to our operations in FY17. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Engaged Criminal Justice Partners The Parole Board Members and staff continued to engage criminal justice partners and community stakeholders in Georgia during Fiscal Year 2017. This engagement assisted in the achievement of the best possible parole outcomes and ensured public safety for all Georgians. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 POLICYS (54) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System Effective Date The updated Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System became effective July 1, 2017. Date: 2017-07-01 Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Reconsideration Policy If parole is denied to an inmate serving life, the Board, by policy, will reconsider the case again at least once every eight years. The duration between considerations is a decision made by the Board. Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Expedited Parole Reviews for Life Sentences Inmates serving life 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,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Work Release Precondition for Life Sentence Parole A parole eligible inmate serving a life sentence who receives a 'grant' parole decision may be required to complete a Department of Corrections' work release program as a precondition to parole. Tags: parole,legal,policy,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Three Board Members Required for Parole Decision Three of the five board members (a majority) must agree on a decision. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Tentative Parole Month Definition A Tentative Parole Month (TPM) is set when three of the five board members agree on a specific amount of time that the offender should serve before being granted parole. 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,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Final Review Process for TPM As the Tentative Parole Month (TPM) approaches, the hearing examiner will conduct a final review of the offender's case file. The final review determines if there is any reason a release date should not be set. Parole could be delayed or denied as a result of the offender not completing required programming, prison misconduct, 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,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Secondary Solicitation of Information Policy As part of the Board's effort to ensure quality parole decisions, an additional notification to district attorneys and judges was implemented by the Board in June of FY16. This 'Secondary Solicitation of Information' is sent to the prosecuting district attorney's office and the judge six months prior to the offender's statutorily mandated parole eligibility date. Tags: parole,policy,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Serious Violent Felony Notification Policy As a result of legislation enacted during the 2017 session, the Parole Board notifies the district attorney if an offender convicted of a serious violent felony is being considered for parole release. This notification is made at a minimum of 90-days prior to the final decision to parole. Those serious violent felonies are: murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, and aggravated sexual battery. Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: parole,policy,operations,legal 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: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Intermediate Sanctions Purpose The purpose of intermediate sanctions is to bring the offenders who are not a threat to public safety back into compliance with their parole conditions. 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,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Revocation Hearings Conducted via 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. For video conference hearings, the offender, the officer of record and the Board Member may be in different locations. Use of this technology has reduced travel costs for all three agencies involved in the process; the Parole Board, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Community Supervision. Tags: parole,policy,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] District Operations Managers POST Certification District Operations Managers are P.O.S.T. certified officers. They are required to annually complete 20 hours of P.O.S.T. training to include weapons requalification. Tags: operations,staffing,training,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Sworn Staff Training Requirements Sworn staff must complete a minimum of 20 hours annually which includes mandatory firearms requalification and use of deadly force. Beginning January 1, 2017, Board sworn staff must participate in de-escalation and community policing training. Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: operations,staffing,training,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Non-Sworn Staff Training Requirements Non-sworn staff must complete a minimum of eight hours of training annually. Both sworn and non-sworn staff must complete unlawful harassment and professionalism & ethics training each year as a part of their training hours and any other training as prescribed by law. Tags: operations,staffing,training,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Offender Dialogue Program Description The Georgia Office of Victim Services' (OVS) 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 can only be initiated by the victim and the offender must voluntarily agree to participate and must acknowledge his/her role in the crime. VOD requires a lengthy preparation process involving both the victim and the offender working separately with a trained facilitator. Tags: victims,reentry,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Support Partners Program The Georgia Office of Victim Services has initiated a 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,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Information Program Description V.I.P. is a 24-hour automated information system providing victims of crime and/or their families, with access to information about their offender. By completing a victim impact statement or crime victim notification form, victims can be registered with V.I.P. Upon registering, victims are issued a PIN (Personal Identification Number). When accessing the system (800-593-9474), victims can learn the status of the offender. Also through V.I.P., registered victims receive information on a prison release after the inmate completes the court ordered term of incarceration (end of sentence), or if the inmate is placed on community supervision. Tags: victims,policy,operations 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,mental_health,policy,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Clemency Online Navigation System Description The process of preparing a case for consideration by the Board is completed electronically in CONS (Clemency Online Navigation System). CONS has proven to be more effective and efficient than the prior paper based process. CONS allows Board Members to access the offender's case material and make clemency decisions electronically. The Parole Board has eliminated the production of paper files and continues the process of imaging the last of the existing paper files. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life-Sentenced Inmate Cases Submitted Electronically During FY16, the agency completed the process of submitting life-sentenced inmate cases to the Board electronically. By eliminating paper files on these cases and submitting them electronically, the Clemency Division's process is more efficient. Now all parole eligible inmate cases in Georgia may be voted electronically by the Board. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Investigation Face-to-Face Interviews 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 or ex-offender. These interviews are conducted by the Board's criminal investigators. These P.O.S.T. (Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council) certified staff utilize their experience and interviewing techniques to collect necessary information required by the Board Members in order to make decisions in these cases. Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: operations,policy,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Members Conduct Monthly Board Meetings The Board conducts monthly Board Meetings at which policy decisions are made. Offender cases are not discussed and parole decisions are not made at the monthly Board Meetings. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Consideration Hearings Not Held Parole consideration hearings are not held; however, each offender entering the Georgia prison system is interviewed by Board personnel. The Board also actively solicits input and accepts pleas for and protests against executive clemency throughout the consideration process. Tags: operations,policy,parole 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: operations,policy,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Mission Statement To serve the citizens of Georgia by exercising the constitutional authority of executive clemency through informed decision-making, thereby ensuring public safety, protecting victims' rights, and providing offenders with opportunities for positive change. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Vision Statement To be the nation's leading paroling authority by: Making informed clemency decisions; Preparing offenders for positive change through the imposition of practical and constructive release conditions; Protecting the public by holding accountable those offenders who violate the conditions of release; Ensuring crime victims have a voice in the criminal justice process; Fostering positive relationships with all stakeholders; Striving to be a continuously learning organization. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Values We value Ethics, Integrity, Equity and Innovation. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board 4E's Framework The Agency is guided by the 4E's: Engaging Stakeholders, Educating the Community, Eliciting Active Participation, Enhancing Operations. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Offender Dialogue Initiated by Victim Only 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,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Services Additional Functions 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; Preparation and orientation for family members of murder victims for pending executions in death penalty cases. Tags: victims,policy,operations,death Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System Not Used for Life Sentences Unlike other offenders, the Board's guidelines are not used and a TPM is not the result of the Board's decision for inmates serving a life sentence. The Board's decision is either to grant or deny parole. Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Members May Deviate from Guidelines The members may agree with the time-to-serve recommendation provided by the Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System or they may deviate from the recommendation by increasing or decreasing the number of months to be served before parole is granted. The Board also has the authority to deny parole. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Information Considered in Parole Decisions Information that may be in the parole file that the Board Members can consider when determining if someone receives parole includes: 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, 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 arrests, number of prior felonies, prior revocations, prior incarcerations, personal history statement, the parole release plan. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Consideration Process Steps After the agency receives an offender's sentencing information electronically from the Department of Corrections, parole investigators collect details of conviction offenses, interview inmates for personal history statements and complete post sentence investigations. For cases other than a life sentence, hearing examiners review all of the information contained in the investigations conducted by parole investigators. In order to make equitable recommendations to the Board Members, hearing examiners process and prepare rating summaries utilizing the agency's Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System. Following the hearing examiner's review, the cases and recommendations are electronically forwarded to the Board Members for consideration. Board Members then individually consider each case and vote electronically. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Violations Definition Violations of parole consist of new criminal charges (felony and misdemeanor) and technical violations related to failing to follow the conditions of their parole. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Violation Process When a violation occurs, the supervising officer generates a report detailing the delinquent behavior. Upon receipt of the report, the District Operations Manager conducts a thorough case investigation to determine what action the Board should take in the best interest of public safety. Based on the investigation, the District Operations Manager makes a recommendation to the Board. The recommendation could be treatment referral up to revocation of parole. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Revocation Hearing Process Upon the establishment of probable cause, Parole Revocation Hearings are held to address violations of parole. Each hearing is presided over by an individual Board Member who hears all of the evidence in the case and makes a recommendation to the full Board to either revoke parole and return the offender to prison or continue parole and community supervision. Most offenders facing parole revocation proceedings admit their parole violations and sign a waiver to be returned to prison eliminating a final hearing. Tags: parole,policy,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Warrant Process Upon notification that an offender has violated the conditions of release, the District Operations Manager reviews the violations and the case history to determine if a Board Warrant should be issued to immediately place the offender into custody. If the offender cannot be immediately located, the Parole Board Warrant is then placed on the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) system or the National Crime Information Center system (NCIC). Both systems are connected to the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) database that is used by law enforcement agencies for wanted person entry. Tags: parole,policy,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Certificates Forwarded to Clerks of Court If released on parole, parole certificates are forwarded to the clerks of court for each docket the inmate is paroled on. Tags: parole,policy,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Inmate TPM Lookup Available Online An inmate's TPM status is available on the agency's website. The Inmate TPM Lookup (Offender/Inmate Parole Status) link is located on the home page at www.pap.georgia.gov. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Registered Victims Automated Status Update System Registered crime victims may also use an automated system to call and receive an offender status update. (Review V.I.P. at https://pap.georgia.gov/victim-information-program-vip) Tags: victims,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Application Requirements The current application requires applicants to provide additional information including their version of criminal offenses, justification for why they should be considered for a pardon, including a description of how they have contributed to their community. Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Investigation Process Description The Parole Board's pardon application and decision making process includes thorough pardon investigations and provides the most comprehensive information available to assist the Board in making quality pardon decisions. Tags: parole,legal,policy,investigations 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,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Field Services Division Mission The mission of the Field Services Division is to effectively and efficiently manage the process related to violations of parole by offenders. The division ensures that violations of parole conditions by offenders are quickly addressed. If necessary, the offender's parole is revoked and the offender is returned to prison. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Interstate Compact Unit Responsibilities In FY17, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles' Interstate Compact Unit was responsible for processing the transfer of all Georgia inmates paroling to an out-of-state residence. In addition, the unit responded to violations, handled extraditions and addressed victim issues relating to these cases. Tags: parole,operations,transfers,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] ICE Rapid REPAT Program Via the ICE Rapid REPAT (Removal of Eligible Parolees Accepted for Transfer) Program, 147 foreign national offenders were released to ICE for deportation. Tags: parole,operations,transfers,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims Visitors' Day Staff Relocation During these events, dating back to 2006, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles temporarily relocates much of its staff in order that crime victims receive necessary assistance. Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims Visitors' Day Registration of Unregistered Victims The Victims Visitors' Day provides new opportunities to register previously unregistered victims of crime with the Georgia Office of Victim Services. Victims meet with the staff and are informed of the services and resources available to them through this office. Victims also are able to meet with staff from the Department of Corrections and the Department of Community Supervision at these events. Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Process Pre-Decision Steps The parole process pre-decision steps are: 1) Conviction - Sentence computed by DOC, Offender Administration Sent to the Board; 2) Case 'Initialized' - Parole Eligibility Date (PED) Set and Legal Investigations Ordered; 3) Investigations - Parole Investigator, Initial DA input is solicited at time the legal is written for all offenses; 4) 6 Months before PED - Secondary Solicitation Notifications sent to DA's and Judges for the most serious violent & sexual offenders; 5) Parole Eligibility Date - OCGA 42.9.45(b), 42.9.46(⅓); 6) Hearing Examiner - Prepare Case for Board Consideration; 7) Board Consideration. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Process Post-Decision Steps The parole process post-decision steps are: 8) Tentative Parole Month Established; 9) Inmate Notified - First Per Board Rules; 10) 90-Day Notification - To DA if a 'Serious Violent Felony' OCGA 17-10-6.1; 11) Victims Notified - Office of Victim Services, Registered Victims Notified; 12) Final Review - Institutional Conduct, Program Completion, New Victim, DA, Judge or Stakeholder Input; 13) Victims & DA - Case Reviews Verifying Notification; 14) 72hr Notification - Pending Release OCGA 42.9.41, OCGA 42.9.44(a); 15) Release. Tags: parole,policy,operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Members Independently Reach Decisions Board Members independently reach their decisions after reviewing a comprehensive electronic case file on the eligible offender. The file generally includes investigative reports, reports from the Department of Corrections, the offender's criminal history, circumstances of current offenses, information from the district attorney, victims and other stakeholders. The Clemency Division provides a thorough assessment and a recommended number of months-to-serve based upon the application of the Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System, if applicable. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] CONS Electronic Case File Establishment The electronic case file is established in CONS after the sentence package is electronically received from the Department of Corrections. Electronic notifications trigger actions moving the case toward a Board decision. CONS initializes notifications to judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement regarding pending releases. Notifications are also generated to wardens and inmates regarding board decisions. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 TRENDS (8) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Releases Declining Trend For a third consecutive year, parole releases were down during FY17. Meanwhile, prison commitments were only slightly up following two successive fiscal year declines. Tags: parole,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Time Served Increasing Trend In 1973, life-sentenced inmates convicted of serious violent felonies 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 2017, a life-sentenced inmate served on average more than 26 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 Completion Rate Trend Georgia's parole completion rate was 74% in FY13, 72% in FY14, 72% in FY15, 68% in FY16, and 71% in FY17. The national average was 62% in FY13, 59% in FY14, 59% in FY15, 62% in FY16, and 62% in FY17. Tags: parole,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024; Bureau of Justice Statistics - [confirmed] Parole Revocations Increasing Trend Parole revocations increased from 2,199 in FY13 to 2,380 in FY14, 2,655 in FY15, 2,505 in FY16, and 2,681 in FY17. Tags: parole,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Avoidance Trend Annual cost avoidance from parole decreased from $409 million in FY13 to $469 million in FY14, $451 million in FY15, $450 million in FY16, and $377 million in FY17. Tags: parole,budget,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Supervision Cost Per Day Trend Parole supervision cost per day decreased from $4.32 in FY13 to $4.49 in FY14, $4.03 in FY15, $3.54 in FY16, and $2.12 in FY17. Tags: parole,budget,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Prison Incarceration Cost Per Day Trend Prison incarceration cost per day was $53.00 in FY13, $52.81 in FY14, $52.81 in FY15, $52.95 in FY16, and $53.76 in FY17. Tags: budget,facilities,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Parole Grants and Denials Trend Life sentence parole grants decreased from 163 in FY13 to 144 in FY14, 133 in FY15, 151 in FY16, and 104 in FY17. Life sentence parole denials increased from 577 in FY13 to 1,504 in FY14, 1,145 in FY15, 1,230 in FY16, and 1,471 in FY17. Tags: parole,legal,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 LEGAL FACTS (30) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Board Sole Authority for Clemency The Board is the sole authority in the state to make informed decisions on which state inmates are deserving of parole, thereby ensuring that the state's prison beds are dedicated to the offenders who have committed the most serious crimes. Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Sole Authority to Commute Death Sentences The Board is the only entity in Georgia with the constitutional authority to commute a death sentence. The Governor does not have this authority in Georgia. Board Members may commute a death sentence to life with or without the possibility of parole or issue a stay. Tags: parole,legal,death Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Constitutional Appointment 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: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Established in 1943 In 1943, the Board was established through a constitutional amendment and consisted of three members. In August of 1943, Georgia voters ratified, by a ratio of four and a half to one, a landmark amendment to the State Constitution establishing the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as an independent agency authorized to grant paroles, pardons, reprieves, commute sentences, (including death sentences) and remove disabilities imposed by law. Date: 1943-01-01 Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole 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. Today, as the inmate population exceeds 50,000, the Board still consists of five voting members. Date: 1973-01-01 Tags: parole,legal,policy,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Came to Georgia in 1908 Parole came to Georgia in 1908 when the General Assembly voted to give the Prison Commission authority to implement a system of 'parole or conditional pardons.' Parole could be granted upon the approval of the full Commission and the Governor. Date: 1908-01-01 Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 1938 Prison Commission Expanded Powers In 1938, the Commission was given broader powers to grant paroles without the approval of the Governor and without limitation on its authority, 'save the welfare of the State.' Date: 1938-01-01 Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 1943 Legislation Creating State Board of Pardons and Paroles The General Assembly enacted legislation, and signed it into law in February 1943, creating the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as an independent agency to administer executive clemency. Date: 1943-02-01 Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Parole Eligibility: Pre-1995 Seven Deadly Sins If a crime considered to be a 'seven deadly sin' was committed prior to 1995, the offender is eligible for parole after seven years. Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Parole Eligibility: 1995 Seven Deadly Sins In 1995, offenders committing serious violent felonies became eligible for parole after serving fourteen years. Date: 1995-01-01 Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Parole Eligibility: 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: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 72-Hour Statutory Notification 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. The Board may receive information about the case during this period. (O.C.G.A. § 42-9-47) Tags: parole,legal,policy,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Probation Supervision Conditions Adopted by Board In 2017, the state legislature enacted into law a provision that any probation supervision conditions imposed by the sentencing court be adopted by the Board for any offender released on parole who has probation (split sentence) to serve following incarceration. (O.C.G.A. § 42-9-43 (d) (1)) Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Notification 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. § 17-17-13) Tags: parole,legal,policy,victims 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: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Notification Legislation 2015 Legislation in 2015 created a notification process informing registered victims and prosecutors, in specific cases, when an offender is seeking a pardon. This allows victims and prosecutors the opportunity to send the Board information about the case. The Parole Board determined that it would exceed the statutory requirements and send these notifications regarding all applications received. Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: parole,legal,policy,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Warrant Authority State law authorizes the Parole Board Members to issue warrants for the arrest of alleged parole violators. Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Automatic Revocation Conditions Revocation can occur during a Parole Revocation Hearing, when the offender signs a waiver to a revocation hearing, or automatic revocation if the conditions exist according to O.C.G.A. § 42-9-51. Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] No Inmate Entitled to Parole in Georgia In Georgia, no inmate is entitled to parole, however by law, most are eligible for consideration and therefore must be considered by the Parole Board. Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Sole Authority for Executive Clemency The Parole Board holds the sole constitutional authority to grant executive clemency to a condemned inmate. Tags: parole,legal,death 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,policy,operations,legislation Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole File Public Documents 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, Board orders in death penalty cases. Tags: parole,legal,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole File Non-Public Documents 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, the petition for commutation of a death sentence. Tags: parole,legal,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Seven Deadly Sins Offenses The offenses referred to as the 'seven deadly sins' are murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, and aggravated sexual battery. (O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1.) Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Serious Violent Felony Notification 90-Day Requirement The new notification is sent a minimum of 90-days in advance of a clemency release. This additional notification gives prosecutors an additional opportunity to convey to the Board any information necessary before the offender is released. This notification covers the offenses referred to as the 'seven deadly sins' which are murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, and aggravated sexual battery. (O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1.) Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Offender Opportunity to Submit Information The Board shall also give the offender being considered an opportunity to submit information. (O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1.) & (O.C.G.A. § 42-9-43(c) (1)) Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Eligibility Date Legal References Parole Eligibility Date is governed by OCGA 42.9.45(b) and 42.9.46(⅓). Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pending Release Notification Legal References Pending Release notification is governed by OCGA 42.9.41 and OCGA 42.9.44(a). Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia Constitution Three Branches of Government Georgia's constitution provides for three branches of government to serve as checks and balances on the power of government over the offender. The legislative branch sets the minimum and maximum range of the prison sentence, the judicial branch sentences the offender within that range, and the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles, as a part of the executive branch, manages the finite resource of state prison beds by considering eligible offenders and making parole grants in the interest of public safety. Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Clemency Encompasses Parole Decision Making Process In Georgia, clemency encompasses the parole decision making process. Clemency also pertains to the granting or denying of pardons and restoration of rights by the Parole Board. Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 CASE DETAILS (18) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Governor Deal Re-appointed Jacqueline Bunn Governor Nathan Deal re-appointed Parole Board Member Jacqueline Bunn to a full seven year term effective January 1, 2017. Bunn was appointed to the Board originally, effective July 1, 2016, to complete an unexpired term of a retiring Board Member. Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Governor Deal GED Graduation Ceremony Parole Grants In late June of 2017, Governor Nathan Deal gave remarks at a Department of Corrections' GED graduation ceremony which included the Parole Board Members notifying three inmates who had completed their GED that they were being granted parole. The ceremony at Lee Arrendale State Prison marked the Department of Corrections' milestone of surpassing 2,000 GED completions for the fiscal year. Date: 2017-06-01 Tags: parole,reentry,operations,education Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Family Day Participation The Board's clemency staff participated in the Department of Corrections' Family Day in April of 2017. This participation by the Parole Board afforded more than 500 family members and friends of state inmates the opportunity to learn what they may do in order to prepare the offender for parole and success after release. Date: 2017-04-01 Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Brian Owens Appointed to Board Brian Owens was appointed to the Board on February 1, 2015, by Governor Nathan Deal. The former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections began his career as a parole officer in 1993. Date: 2015-02-01 Tags: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Braxton Cotton Appointed to Board Braxton T. Cotton was appointed to the Board in November of 2013 by Governor Nathan Deal. Date: 2013-11-01 Tags: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] James Mills Appointed to Board James W. Mills was appointed to the Board in November of 2011 by Governor Nathan Deal. Date: 2011-11-01 Tags: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Terry Barnard Appointed to Board Terry E. Barnard of McIntosh County was appointed to the Board in May 2010 by Governor Perdue and reappointed December 31, 2010. Date: 2010-05-01 Tags: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Christopher Barnett Appointed Executive Director Executive Director Christopher Barnett was appointed to the position in August of 2015 after serving as Interim Director and guiding the Board through a significant reorganization as parole supervision transitioned to the new Department of Community Supervision. Date: 2015-08-01 Tags: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Rita Rocker Appointed Deputy Executive Director Rita Rocker was appointed Deputy Executive Director effective June 1, 2015. Date: 2015-06-01 Tags: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Braxton Cotton Youngest African American Agency Director At the age of 30, Mr. Cotton became the youngest African American agency director in Georgia history when he was appointed Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC). Date: 2012-06-01 Tags: operations,staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Brian Owens Sworn in as DOC Commissioner On January 8, 2009, Mr. Owens was sworn in as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections by Governor Perdue. He was reappointed as Commissioner by Governor Deal on January 18, 2011. Date: 2009-01-08 Tags: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn Appointed CJCC Executive Director In July of 2013, Ms. Bunn was appointed by Governor Deal to serve as the Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC). Date: 2013-07-01 Tags: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Braxton Cotton Appointed CJCC Executive Director In June 2012, Governor Deal appointed Mr. Cotton to serve as Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC). Date: 2012-06-01 Tags: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Braxton Cotton Appointed Governor's Office of Transition, Support and Reentry In June 2013, Governor Deal appointed Mr. Cotton as the Executive Director of the newly created Governor's Office of Transition, Support and Reentry. Mr. Cotton established this agency with the primary mission to coordinate all state resources that affected prisoner reentry within the state of Georgia. Date: 2013-06-01 Tags: operations,staffing,reentry,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Milledgeville Victims Visitors' Day Details In October of 2016, the Board conducted one of the largest ever Victims Visitors' Days in Milledgeville, Georgia. More than 200 victims and family members attended. Confidential meetings with one of the five voting Parole Board Members offered victims the opportunity to share their experiences, their wishes and receive parole status updates regarding their individual offender's case. Date: 2016-10-01 Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Dahlonega Victims Visitors' Day Details The event was repeated in April of 2017 in Dahlonega, Georgia, as more than 100 victims and family members accepted the Board's invitation to attend a Victims Visitors' Day. During these events, dating back to 2006, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles temporarily relocates much of its staff in order that crime victims receive necessary assistance. Date: 2017-04-01 Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Milledgeville Victims Visitors' Day Partnership The Milledgeville event was held in conjunction with the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Victim-Witness Assistance Program. Central Georgia Technical College in Milledgeville was the location. Date: 2016-10-13 Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Dahlonega Victims Visitors' Day Partnership The Dahlonega event was a partnership with the Enotah Judicial Circuit Victim-Witness Assistance Program. The Victims Visitors' Day was conducted at the Lumpkin County Courthouse. Date: 2017-04-06 Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 QUOTES (56) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Mission The mission of the Parole Board embodies our role in the criminal justice system as we ensure public safety through informed decision-making. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Parole Authority Goal Our goal is simple; to be the number one parole authority in the world, a goal this agency is well on its way to achieving. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Clemency Decision Making Process As a result, we are confident our clemency decision making process is among the best in the nation. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Public Safety Path This is the true path to public safety and what the Board strives to achieve each day. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chairman Quote on Georgia's Greatest Asset Georgia's greatest asset is its people and we must never allow any person to become merely a number. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chairman Quote on Balancing Victim and Offender Restoration Restoring both the victim and offender is important. It's a balancing act between the two. Striking that balance of compassionate mercy for the victims while seeking justice and appropriate mercy for the offender is truly a challenge. Tags: parole,victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chairman Quote on Stakeholder Engagement Whether it is prosecutors, defense lawyers, judges, law enforcement or victims, we continue to invite all into the parole process. Today, the Board is sending more notifications than ever before in order to ensure our stakeholders are aware of pending parole reviews, which are mandated by state law. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Data Driven Decisions Because our decisions are data driven, we understand that having all available information results in the most informed and best possible parole decision. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Leadership Leadership demands never becoming content with where we are; we can always improve and learn better ways to ensure safe communities and a brighter future. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Victim Offender Dialogue Another important service offered in FY17, was the Victim Offender Dialogue program. This program allows the victim to control a direct meeting with the offender to work toward forgiveness and restoration. We want victims to be restored and become crime survivors and the Parole Board will always have an open door for them. Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Pardon The granting of a pardon for example does not remove or erase a person's criminal history. However it can assist a deserving former offender the opportunity to move forward in life. Today's pardon application is more comprehensive than ever before. Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Swift Action for Violations If an individual fails to take advantage of the opportunity presented to them by the Board and violates conditions of their release, the Board takes swift action to remove that individual from the community and reduce any threat to our public safety. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Earning Way Out However, if an individual has shown a true commitment to reentry, rehabilitation, and becomes a positive force in their community, the Department of Community Supervision will submit the individual's case to the Board for possible commutation of the remaining supervision period allowing individuals who have earned their way into prison, the opportunity to earn their way out and eventually successfully transition from supervision to a fully redeemed contributing member of our community. Tags: parole,reentry,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Stakeholder Engagement By striving to include the active participation of all stakeholders in the clemency consideration process, our agency is ensuring the most accurate depiction of a case is being presented to the Board for consideration. It takes all of us, openly working together, to ensure the Board makes the best possible decision and public safety is enhanced for all Georgians. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Constitutional Role The Board's constitutional role in our criminal justice system in Georgia is critical and requires operations to be ever evolving. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Updated Guidelines This update ensures the Board has the most relevant up-to-date scientific, research based data regarding Georgia offenders, which is a critical factor in making the best possible clemency decisions. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Victim Meetings By personally meeting with victims of crime, we understand their concerns, the impact of the crime, and we are able to help the victim understand the parole process. During the fiscal year, the Board Members and clemency staff made visits to several Georgia communities, meeting with victims, making the Board as accessible as possible to crime victims. The Board is increasing opportunities for victims to meet personally with the Board Members. As a result, the Board receives information to assist us in making the best possible parole decisions. Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Stakeholder Collaboration During FY17, we continued meeting with stakeholders and criminal justice partners to work together in enhancing the parole decision making process. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Service Responsibility As Chairman, it is a great honor to serve, and that service carries great responsibility to help us continue to move forward. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Honor and Responsibility It is a great honor and great responsibility to serve on the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Difficult life changing decisions are made each day. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Criminal Justice Reform The implementation of Governor Deal's Criminal Justice Reform is assisting the Board in successfully completing the task of fulfilling our mission and our public safety role in Georgia's criminal justice system. Tags: parole,operations,policy,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Guidelines Implementation In FY17, the Board implemented our updated Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System; an essential part of ensuring scientific, data driven, informed decision making. This process improvement is providing the Board Members with additional data to assist in making the most informed decisions. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Decision Making Process Decisions are made only after careful and thorough consideration of the guidelines recommendation, if applicable, and of the information in the comprehensive parole case file, which includes victim information, circumstances of crimes and much more. As a result, those offenders who demonstrate positive behavior patterns may be deserving of an opportunity to be restored through parole. Likewise negative behavior can adversely affect an offender's parole chances. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Clemency Importance Clemency, in its various forms, is a very important part of the criminal justice process. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on State Law Parole Consideration State law requires that parole eligible offenders be considered for release. Tags: parole,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Offender as Part of Equation The offender is only one part of the equation. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Transparency Our efforts are made to ensure the parole decision making process is understood and as transparent as possible. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman Quote on Secondary Solicitations In FY17, after adding a new notification to our process, the Board made 3,272 secondary solicitations/notifications to the state's district attorneys to ensure the Board has all available information regarding a case. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Mission As Executive Director of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, it is my great privilege and honor to lead the day-to-day operations of this agency and to bring additional insight into our efforts and results through this annual report. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Primary Mission In Fiscal Year (FY) 17, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles remained focused on the agency's primary mission of keeping Georgia safe. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Mission Statement Mission Statement: To serve the citizens of Georgia by exercising the constitutional authority of executive clemency through informed decision making, thereby ensuring public safety, protecting victims' rights and providing offenders with opportunities for positive change. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Operations Ensuring Compliance Our operations also ensure those in the community due to a clemency action abide by the conditions imposed by the Board and the expectations of the communities in which they live. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on DCS Partnership The Department of Community Supervision is our partner in ensuring public safety as their officers supervise individuals in the community and inform the Board of those who are exceeding expectations or falling short on compliance. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Two Year Guidelines Project Recently, the Board completed a two year project updating its Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System. The updates involved the research and tracking of more than 26,000 Georgia clemency release cases for years, in order to accurately determine which groups of offenders were more likely to commit a new felony offense(s) within three years of release. Tags: parole,operations,policy,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Agency Goal Our goal is simple; to be the number one parole authority in the world, a goal this agency is well on its way to achieving. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Stakeholder Engagement Enhancement The State Board of Pardons and Paroles has enhanced our engagement of all stakeholders in the clemency consideration process, ensuring all pertinent information regarding cases under consideration by the Board is captured, retained and utilized by the Board Members in their decision making process. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Meetings with Stakeholders Board Members, executive staff and senior leadership conducted informative meetings and events with criminal defense lawyers, district attorneys, public defenders, judges, local/county/state and federal law enforcement agencies, various human rights groups, and victims of crime, where information was shared to ensure all worked in unison to strengthen our criminal justice system here in Georgia and our clemency consideration process. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Public Safety Enhancement It takes all of us, openly working together, to ensure the Board makes the best possible decision and public safety is enhanced for all Georgians. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Constitutional Role Critical The Board's constitutional role in our criminal justice system in Georgia is critical and requires operations to be ever evolving. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Confidence in Decision Making As a result, we are confident our clemency decision making process is among the best in the nation. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Swift Action If an individual fails to take advantage of the opportunity presented to them by the Board and violates conditions of their release, the Board takes swift action to remove that individual from the community and reduce any threat to our public safety. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Earning Way Out However, if an individual has shown a true commitment to reentry, rehabilitation, and becomes a positive force in their community, the Department of Community Supervision will submit the individual's case to the Board for possible commutation of the remaining supervision period allowing individuals who have earned their way into prison, the opportunity to earn their way out and eventually successfully transition from supervision to a fully redeemed contributing member of our community. This is the true path to public safety and what the Board strives to achieve each day. Tags: parole,reentry,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Agency Mission As Executive Director of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, it is my great privilege and honor to lead the day-to-day operations of this agency and to bring additional insight into our efforts and results through this annual report. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Primary Mission In Fiscal Year (FY) 17, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles remained focused on the agency's primary mission of keeping Georgia safe. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Mission Statement Mission Statement: To serve the citizens of Georgia by exercising the constitutional authority of executive clemency through informed decision making, thereby ensuring public safety, protecting victims' rights and providing offenders with opportunities for positive change. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Operations Ensuring Compliance Our operations also ensure those in the community due to a clemency action abide by the conditions imposed by the Board and the expectations of the communities in which they live. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on DCS Partnership The Department of Community Supervision is our partner in ensuring public safety as their officers supervise individuals in the community and inform the Board of those who are exceeding expectations or falling short on compliance. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Two Year Guidelines Project Recently, the Board completed a two year project updating its Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System. The updates involved the research and tracking of more than 26,000 Georgia clemency release cases for years, in order to accurately determine which groups of offenders were more likely to commit a new felony offense(s) within three years of release. Tags: parole,operations,policy,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Agency Goal Our goal is simple; to be the number one parole authority in the world, a goal this agency is well on its way to achieving. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Stakeholder Engagement Enhancement The State Board of Pardons and Paroles has enhanced our engagement of all stakeholders in the clemency consideration process, ensuring all pertinent information regarding cases under consideration by the Board is captured, retained and utilized by the Board Members in their decision making process. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Meetings with Stakeholders Board Members, executive staff and senior leadership conducted informative meetings and events with criminal defense lawyers, district attorneys, public defenders, judges, local/county/state and federal law enforcement agencies, various human rights groups, and victims of crime, where information was shared to ensure all worked in unison to strengthen our criminal justice system here in Georgia and our clemency consideration process. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Public Safety Enhancement It takes all of us, openly working together, to ensure the Board makes the best possible decision and public safety is enhanced for all Georgians. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Constitutional Role Critical The Board's constitutional role in our criminal justice system in Georgia is critical and requires operations to be ever evolving. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Confidence in Decision Making As a result, we are confident our clemency decision making process is among the best in the nation. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Swift Action If an individual fails to take advantage of the opportunity presented to them by the Board and violates conditions of their release, the Board takes swift action to remove that individual from the community and reduce any threat to our public safety. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Quote on Earning Way Out However, if an individual has shown a true commitment to reentry, rehabilitation, and becomes a positive force in their community, the Department of Community Supervision will submit the individual's case to the Board for possible commutation of the remaining supervision period allowing individuals who have earned their way into prison, the opportunity to earn their way out and eventually successfully transition from supervision to a fully redeemed contributing member of our community. This is the true path to public safety and what the Board strives to achieve each day. Tags: parole,reentry,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 METHODOLOGY NOTES (4) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Cost Avoidance Calculation Methodology The fiscal year cost avoidance is calculated based on the cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia compared to the community supervision cost per day. The Department of Corrections cost per day submitted for FY17 is $53.76. The Department of Community Supervision cost per day submitted is $2.12. Tags: budget,operations,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Estimates Submitted at Time of Annual Report Note: costs are submitted as estimated at the time of each annual report cycle. Tags: budget,operations,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] National Parole Completion Rate Source National parole completion rate data source is the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Tags: parole,operations,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024; Bureau of Justice Statistics - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Research Methodology The updates involved the research and tracking of more than 26,000 Georgia clemency release cases for years, in order to accurately determine which groups of offenders were more likely to commit a new felony offense(s) within three years of release. Tags: parole,policy,methodology,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 DATASETS (12) ---------------------------------------- # FY Parole Releases FY13-FY17 Number of offenders released from prison through all forms of clemency including parole, by fiscal year. Fiscal Year Parole Releases ------------------------------ FY13 15634 FY14 16212 FY15 13520 FY16 13374 FY17 10468 # Parole Revocations FY13-FY17 Number of parole violators revoked and returned to prison, by fiscal year. Fiscal Year Revocations -------------------------- FY13 2199 FY14 2380 FY15 2655 FY16 2505 FY17 2681 # Cost Per Day: Prison Incarceration vs Parole Supervision FY13-FY17 Cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia compared to community supervision cost per day, by fiscal year. Fiscal Year Prison Cost Per Day Parole Cost Per Day ------------------------------------------------------- FY13 53 4.32 FY14 52.81 4.49 FY15 52.81 4.03 FY16 52.95 3.54 FY17 53.76 2.12 # Cost Avoidance FY13-FY17 Annual cost avoidance to the prison system as a result of offenders serving their sentence on parole, by fiscal year. Fiscal Year Cost Avoidance ----------------------------- FY13 409000000 FY14 469000000 FY15 451000000 FY16 450000000 FY17 377000000 # Georgia/National Average Parole Completion Rates FY13-FY17 Georgia and national average parole completion rates, by fiscal year. National source: Bureau of Justice Statistics. Fiscal Year Georgia Completion Rate National Completion Rate ---------------------------------------------------------------- FY13 74 62 FY14 72 59 FY15 72 59 FY16 68 62 FY17 71 62 # Life Sentence Parole Decisions FY13-FY17 Number of life sentence cases granted and denied parole, by fiscal year. Fiscal Year Granted Denied ------------------------------ FY13 163 577 FY14 144 1504 FY15 133 1145 FY16 151 1230 FY17 104 1471 # Life Sentence Time Served for Serious Violent Felonies Average prison time served before release for life-sentenced inmates convicted of serious violent felonies, by year. Year Average Years Served ---------------------------- 1973 9 2000 15 2010 20 2017 26 # FY17 Expenditures by Category State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY2017 expenditures by category. Category Amount ------------------------------------- 300 - Personal Services 14759063 301 - Regular Operating 532295 305 - Computer Charges 175051 306 - Real Estate Rental 415805 307 - Telecommunications 167320 312 - Contracts 487139 520 - County Jail Subsidy 310230 # FY17 Employee Demographics by Age State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY17 employee count by age range. Age Range Employees ---------------------- 20-29 8 30-39 37 40-49 47 50-59 75 60+ 17 # FY17 Employee Demographics by Race/Ethnicity State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY17 employee count by race/ethnicity. Race/Ethnicity Employees --------------------------- Black 103 White 76 Multi-Racial 1 Hispanic 2 Asian 2 # FY17 Pardon Administration Unit Data Pardon and restoration of rights application data for FY17. Category Count -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applications received (all types) 1068 Total applications granted 719 Pardons granted without firearms being restored 249 Pardons granted with firearms being restored 341 Restorations of civil and political rights 105 Restorations of civil and political rights with firearms restored 24 # FY17 Clemency Actions Fiscal year clemency actions by category for FY17. Category Count --------------------------------------------- Parole Certificates 6577 Out-of-State Parole Orders 297 Conditional Transfers 766 Out-of-State Conditional Transfers 183 Supervised Reprieves 1234 Out-of-State Supervised Reprieves 17 Commutations 1215 Medical Reprieves 32 Out-of-State ICE Orders 147 Total Prison Releases by Parole 10468 Total Discharges from Parole 8770 Initial Guidelines Decisions 8581 Other Guidelines Decisions 2143 Total Guidelines Decisions 10724 Life Sentence Cases Denied Parole 1471 Life Sentence Cases Granted Parole 104 Total Life Sentence Case Decisions 1575 Restoration of Rights Granted 129 Pardon Grants 590 Total Pardons & Restorations Granted 719 Preliminary Revocation Hearings 145 Final Revocation Hearings 366 KEY ENTITIES (35) ---------------------------------------- - Applied Research Services, Inc. [organization]: Organization partnering with the Parole Board to work recommendations from the Robina Institute research into a new module. (aka: Applied Research Services) - 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) - Criminal Justice Reform Council [organization]: The council whose meetings the Parole Board actively participated in during the 2017 legislative session. - 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) - Enotah Judicial Circuit Victim-Witness Assistance Program [organization]: The victim-witness assistance program that partnered with the Parole Board for the Dahlonega Victims Visitors' Day. - 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) - James Williams [person]: Clemency Director of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in FY17. (aka: James 'Bubba' Williams) - Lee Arrendale State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where drug-coated paper was found being passed in November 2025. - 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. - Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Victim-Witness Assistance Program [organization]: The victim-witness assistance program that partnered with the Parole Board for the Milledgeville Victims Visitors' Day. - Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System [program]: Evidence-based system used by the Board to recommend time-to-serve based on crime severity and offender risk to reoffend. Updated most recently effective July 1, 2023. (aka: Guidelines Rating System, Parole Guidelines) - Rick Jacobs [person]: Field Services Director of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in FY17. - 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) - Shalandra D. Robertson [person]: Victims Services Director of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in FY17. - 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 - 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.) - 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