GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: BOPP Annual Report FY2018 — Georgia Parole Board ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-08-21 21:25:18 EDT Research Date: 2026-08-13 Topic: Parole JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/bopp-annual-report-fy2018-georgia-parole-board/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY2018 Annual Report documents a year of declining parole releases (10,363, the fourth consecutive annual decline) alongside rising prison commitments. The Board made 75,040 clemency decisions, reported a 72% parole completion rate versus a national average of approximately 57%, and calculated more than $450 million in annual cost avoidance from parole supervision compared to incarceration. The report emphasizes victim engagement (over 500 victims met with Board members), data-driven parole decision-making through the Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System, and operational modernization through electronic case management. STATISTICS (56) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] FY2018 total clemency decisions by Parole Board In Fiscal Year 2018, the Parole Board Members made 75,040 clemency decisions. This total represents all Board decisions requiring 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: 75040.0 clemency decisions Tags: parole,clemency,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 total prison releases by parole The Board released from prison a total of 10,363 offenders in FY18 through all forms of clemency, including releasing inmates on parole. This total represented 105 fewer releases from the previous fiscal year. Value: 10363.0 offenders released (vs. 105 fewer than previous fiscal year) Tags: parole,releases,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia parole completion rate FY2018 Georgia's percentage of parolees successfully completing parole in FY18 was 72%. The national average was approximately 57%. Value: 72.0 percent (vs. 57 national average) Tags: parole,reentry,outcomes Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024; Bureau of Justice Statistics - [estimated] Annual cost avoidance from parole supervision FY2018 The annual cost avoidance to the state, due to offenders being under parole supervision as opposed to housing them in prison, was more than $450,000,000 for FY18. The fiscal year cost avoidance is calculated based on the FY18 cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia ($61.00) compared to the community supervision cost per day ($2.11). Value: 450000000.0 dollars Tags: budget,parole,costs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 cost per day: incarceration vs. parole supervision In FY18, the cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia was $61.00, compared to the community supervision cost per day of $2.11. Value: 61.0 dollars per day (vs. 2.11 parole supervision cost per day) Tags: budget,costs,incarceration,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 offender files initiated for consideration In FY18, there were 13,408 offender files initiated for consideration by the Clemency Division. Value: 13408.0 offender files Tags: parole,clemency,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 notifications generated by CONS In FY18, 35,698 notifications (all types) were generated by CONS (Clemency Online Navigation System). Value: 35698.0 notifications Tags: operations,technology,notifications Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 preconditions to parole imposed There were 6,507 preconditions to parole imposed by the Board on inmates during the fiscal year. Value: 6507.0 preconditions Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 second solicitation notifications to judges and prosecutors For FY18, 3,425 second solicitations/notifications were sent to judges and prosecutors. These notifications are sent regarding offenders convicted of serious felonies. Value: 3425.0 notifications Tags: notifications,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 90-day serious violent felony notifications In FY18, the Board sent 90-day notifications in 391 cases regarding pending paroles for offenders convicted of a 'serious violent felony,' referred to commonly as the 'seven deadly sins.' (O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1) & (O.C.G.A. § 42-9-43(c)(1)). Value: 391.0 notifications Tags: notifications,legal,violent_crime Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 life sentence cases granted parole In FY18, 119 life sentence cases were granted parole, while 1,517 life sentence cases were denied parole. Total life sentence case decisions were 1,636. Value: 119.0 cases granted (vs. 1517 cases denied) Tags: parole,life_sentences,clemency Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average time served on life sentence for serious violent felonies in 2018 In 2018, a life-sentenced inmate convicted of a serious violent felony served on average more than 26 years in prison prior to being released. In 1973, life-sentenced inmates convicted of serious violent felonies served less than nine years in prison, on average. By year 2000, the average had risen to more than 15 years. By 2010, the average time served was nearly 20 years. Value: 26.0 years (vs. 9 average years served in 1973) Date: 2018-01-01 Tags: life_sentences,sentencing,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 pardon and restoration of rights applications In FY18, 647 pardon and restoration of rights applications were received and 482 were granted (all types). There were 421 fewer applications received during the fiscal year compared to the previous year. There were 237 fewer grants in FY18 than the previous fiscal year. Value: 647.0 applications received (vs. 482 applications granted) Tags: pardons,clemency,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 pardon notifications to victims and district attorneys During FY18, the Parole Board sent 572 notifications to registered victims and district attorneys regarding ex-offenders applying for pardons. Value: 572.0 notifications Tags: pardons,victims,notifications Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 clemency investigations completed In FY18, the clemency investigators completed 38,919 investigations for the Parole Board. Value: 38919.0 investigations Tags: investigations,clemency,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 parole population decrease During Fiscal Year 2018, the population of offenders on parole under community supervision decreased from 22,737 on July 1, 2017, to 22,047 on June 30, 2018. Value: 22047.0 offenders on parole (vs. 22737 population on July 1, 2017) Tags: parole,population,supervision Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 cumulative parole supervision population The cumulative number of offenders under parole supervision in Georgia during the fiscal year was 33,646. Value: 33646.0 offenders Tags: parole,supervision,population Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 parole discharges The number of offenders discharging from parole was 8,501 in FY18. Value: 8501.0 offenders discharged Tags: parole,discharges,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 parole warrants issued In FY18, a total of 7,703 warrants were issued by the Parole Board for alleged parole violators. Value: 7703.0 warrants Tags: parole,violations,warrants Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 warrants entered into GCIC/NCIC system In FY18, the GCIC Unit entered 4,494 warrants into the GCIC/NCIC system. Value: 4494.0 warrants entered Tags: warrants,law_enforcement,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 parole revocations During FY18, the Board revoked 2,525 parole violators, returning the offenders to prison to serve their sentences in confinement. The number revoked decreased by 156 from the previous fiscal year. Value: 2525.0 parole violators revoked (vs. 156 decrease from previous fiscal year) Tags: parole,revocations,violations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Technical violations as share of FY2018 revocations Of the FY18 total number of revocations, less than 1% were revoked on the basis of technical violations only, which include but are not limited to drug use, curfew violations, or failure to pay fines and fees. Value: 1.0 percent Tags: parole,revocations,technical_violations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 final revocation hearings Parole Board Members conducted 310 final revocation hearings during FY18. Value: 310.0 hearings Tags: parole,revocations,hearings Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 preliminary revocation hearings There were 286 preliminary revocation hearings in FY18. Value: 286.0 hearings Tags: parole,revocations,hearings Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 SB 174 sentence commutations During FY 2018, the Parole Board commuted the sentences of 88 offenders under SB 174, ending the prison/parole portion of their sentence and moving the case to probation supervision. Senate Bill 174, passed in 2017, included a provision requiring the Board to consider commuting the sentences of specific offenders serving a split sentence who have successfully completed twelve (12) consecutive months of parole supervision (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-21). Value: 88.0 offenders Tags: commutations,legislation,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 out-of-state parole supervision releases During FY18, the Interstate Compact Unit released 566 offenders to out-of-state supervision. Value: 566.0 offenders Tags: parole,interstate_compact,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, 2018, there were 2,436 Georgia offenders under active parole supervision in Compact states and 1,373 other Compact state offenders on parole supervision in Georgia. Value: 2436.0 Georgia offenders in Compact states (vs. 1373 Compact state offenders in Georgia) Tags: parole,interstate_compact,supervision Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] FY2018 ICE Rapid REPAT releases and cost avoidance Via the ICE Rapid REPAT (Removal of Eligible Parolees Accepted for Transfer) Program, 117 foreign national offenders were released to ICE for deportation at an estimated cost avoidance of $6,122,724. Value: 117.0 offenders released to ICE (vs. 6122724 estimated cost avoidance in dollars) Tags: deportation,immigration,costs,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 documents scanned into case management systems During FY18, 39,196 documents were scanned into the case management systems (Portal, CONS and TRIM system) utilized by the Board to make parole decisions. Value: 39196.0 documents Tags: technology,operations,records Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 active lifer offender parole files scanned There were 1,224 active lifer offender parole files scanned and 5,718 archived files imaged during the fiscal year. There are approximately 163,372 archived files remaining to be imaged. Value: 1224.0 active lifer files scanned (vs. 5718 archived files imaged) Tags: technology,records,life_sentences Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 New Direction Recovery Program referrals and graduations The New Direction Recovery Program located at the Treutlen Probation Detention Center is an intensive addiction program for parolees who are both higher risk and higher need offenders. For FY18, 57 parolees were referred to the program. As of June 30, 2018, ten (10) parolees had graduated from the program and were returned to parole supervision. Value: 57.0 parolees referred (vs. 10 parolees graduated) Tags: substance_abuse,treatment,parole,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 victim phone calls handled by staff In FY18, 12,416 phone calls from victims were handled by staff of the Georgia Office of Victim Services. Value: 12416.0 phone calls Tags: victims,services,communications Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 outgoing victim correspondences In FY18, 17,483 outgoing correspondences were sent to victims in response to concerns. Value: 17483.0 correspondences Tags: victims,services,communications Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 victim correspondences received In FY18, 9,430 correspondences were received from victims and filed with the office. Value: 9430.0 correspondences Tags: victims,services,communications Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 new V.I.P. registrants For FY18, there were 3,422 new V.I.P. registrants (victims registered with the office). Value: 3422.0 new registrants Tags: victims,services,registration Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 V.I.P. phone calls logged In FY18, 6,917 phone calls from victims were logged into the V.I.P. system. Value: 6917.0 phone calls Tags: victims,services,communications Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 V.I.P. system calls to victims In FY18, the V.I.P. system made 935 calls to victims of crime. Value: 935.0 calls Tags: victims,services,communications Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims met with Board Members in FY2018 Board Members met with more than 500 crime victims and family members during the fiscal year discussing the parole status of offenders. The meetings allow for victim input prior to the parole decision process. Value: 500.0 crime victims and family members Tags: victims,engagement,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cumulative Victims Visitors' Days through FY2018 Through June 30, 2018, the Parole Board has conducted 29 of these events across Georgia, meeting with nearly 4,000 crime victims and family members. The Victims Visitors' Day program began in 2006. Through FY18, 29 separate events have been conducted, 21 different communities have hosted, and the Parole Board has met with 3,849 victims including family members. Value: 29.0 events (vs. 3849 victims met) Tags: victims,engagement,outreach Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cordele Victims Visitors' Day attendance On October 17, 2017, more than 160 victims attended the Victims Visitors' Day in Cordele, Georgia. The report elsewhere states 165 victims of crime including family members attended. As a result, new or additional victim information was added to 75 parole case files. Value: 165.0 victims attended (vs. 75 parole case files updated) Tags: victims,engagement,outreach Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Clarkston Victims Visitors' Day attendance The largest ever Victims Visitors' Day was held at Georgia Piedmont Technical College in Clarkston (DeKalb County) in April of 2018. A total of 356 victims including family members attended the first two-day event in the Parole Board's history. The individual meetings conducted between crime victims, the Board and parole staff involved 167 parole case files. Value: 356.0 victims attended (vs. 167 parole case files involved) Tags: victims,engagement,outreach Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim satisfaction rate at FY2018 Victims Visitors' Days According to exit surveys at these two events, 98% of victims participating in FY18 stated that all of their questions were answered to their satisfaction. Value: 98.0 percent Tags: victims,engagement,satisfaction Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 Victim Offender Dialogue sessions In FY18, the Georgia Office of Victim Services conducted fifteen (15) Victim Offender Dialogue sessions involving victims and offenders. Value: 15.0 sessions Tags: victims,restorative_justice,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 Victim Support Partners volunteer hours During the fiscal year, the Victim Support Partners group expanded to seventeen (17) victim-volunteers who compiled more than 505 volunteer hours supporting other Georgia crime victims. Value: 505.0 volunteer hours (vs. 17 victim-volunteers) Tags: victims,volunteers,services Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 total agency expenditures Total Expenditures for FY 2018 were $17,512,005. Personal Services accounted for $15,320,152 (87.5% of expenditures). Value: 17512005.0 dollars (vs. 15320152 personal services expenditures) Tags: budget,expenditures,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 total agency funds Total Funds for FY2018 were $17,776,655, comprised of State funds of $17,585,140, Federal funds of $102,602, and Other funds of $88,913. Value: 17776655.0 dollars Tags: budget,funding Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Agency budget decreased 70% between FY2015 and FY2018 The agency budget decreased by 70% between FY 2015 and FY 2018, following the creation of the Department of Community Supervision (DCS) in FY 2015 and the transfer of parole supervision functions and funding to DCS. Value: 70.0 percent Tags: budget,reorganization,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 full-time employees In FY18, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 182 full-time employees: 148 female and 34 male. Value: 182.0 employees Tags: staffing,human_resources,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 staff by race/ethnicity Staff by race/ethnicity in FY18: Multi-Racial 1, Asian 2, Hispanic 2, Black 101, White 76. Value: 101.0 Black employees (vs. 76 White employees) Tags: staffing,demographics,human_resources Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 staff by age group Staff by age groups in FY18: 20-29: 13, 30-39: 26, 40-49: 52, 50-59: 71, 60 Plus: 20. Value: 71.0 employees aged 50-59 Tags: staffing,demographics,human_resources Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 training hours delivered Training delivered in FY 2018: 3,182 hours to sworn staff, 2,016 hours to non-sworn staff, and 3,180 hours delivered by Pardons and Paroles. Value: 3182.0 hours to sworn staff (vs. 2016 hours to non-sworn staff) Tags: training,staffing,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Inmate population exceeds 50,000 Today, as the inmate population exceeds 50,000, the Board still consists of five voting members. On average, more than 40% of the 50,000 plus inmate population serve out their entire prison sentence while incarcerated in the Georgia Department of Corrections. Value: 50000.0 inmates (vs. 40 percent serving entire sentence) Tags: incarceration,population,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole success rate among paroled offenders Of the remaining 60% of inmates, of those who are paroled, more than 70% continue to show positive traits while under parole supervision and successfully complete parole. Value: 70.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry,outcomes Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole investigators in Clemency Division Fifty-two parole investigators work in the Clemency Division. Forty-four investigators are assigned to the field and predominantly complete post sentence investigations and profiles for all offenders sentenced by Georgia courts. Eight investigators are assigned to work within the prisons to conduct personal history statements on inmates during the diagnostic process. Value: 52.0 parole investigators Tags: staffing,investigations,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Criminal investigators in Clemency Division The Board has six criminal investigators who conduct face-to-face interviews of ex-offenders seeking restoration of firearm rights and inmates serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole. Value: 6.0 criminal investigators Tags: staffing,investigations,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] District operations managers assigned to ten judicial districts District operations managers are assigned to the ten (10) Judicial Districts and are an integral link between the Board and the Department of Community Supervision (DCS) as it relates to parole violators. District operations managers are P.O.S.T. certified officers. Value: 10.0 judicial districts Tags: staffing,operations,supervision Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 TRENDS (11) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Fourth consecutive year of declining parole releases For a fourth consecutive year, parole releases were down during FY18. Meanwhile, prison commitments increased for a second consecutive year. Tags: parole,releases,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole releases declined while prison commitments increased For a fourth consecutive year, parole releases were down during FY18. Meanwhile, prison commitments increased for a second consecutive year. Tags: parole,incarceration,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life sentence time served trend 1973-2018 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 2018, a life-sentenced inmate served on average more than 26 years in prison prior to being released. Tags: life_sentences,sentencing,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole completion rate trend FY2014-FY2018 Georgia's parole completion rates have remained above 70% from FY14 through FY18, consistently exceeding the national average. The national average was approximately 57% in FY18. Tags: parole,reentry,outcomes,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024; Bureau of Justice Statistics - [confirmed] Parole revocation trend FY2014-FY2018 Parole revocations by fiscal year: FY14: 2,380; FY15: 2,655; FY16: 2,505; FY17: 2,681; FY18: 2,525. The number revoked in FY18 decreased by 156 from the previous fiscal year. Tags: parole,revocations,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost avoidance trend FY2014-FY2018 Fiscal year cost avoidance: FY14 $469 million, FY15 $451 million, FY16 $450 million, FY17 $377 million, FY18 more than $450 million. Tags: budget,costs,parole,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life sentence parole decisions trend FY2014-FY2018 Life sentence cases granted parole by fiscal year: FY14: 133; FY15: 151; FY16: 163; FY17: 104; FY18: 119. Life sentence cases denied parole: FY14: 577; FY15: 1,230; FY16: 1,504; FY17: 1,471; FY18: 1,517. Tags: life_sentences,parole,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole releases trend FY2014-FY2018 Parole releases by fiscal year: FY14: 16,212; FY15: 13,520; FY16: 13,374; FY17: 10,468; FY18: 10,363. Tags: parole,releases,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost per day incarceration vs. parole trend FY2014-FY2018 Cost per day for incarceration vs. parole: FY14: $52.81 vs. $4.03; FY15: $52.81 vs. $4.49; FY16: $52.95 vs. $3.54; FY17: $53.76 vs. $2.12; FY18: $61.00 vs. $2.11. Tags: budget,costs,incarceration,parole,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole population trend FY2017-FY2018 The population of offenders on parole under community supervision decreased from 22,737 on July 1, 2017, to 22,047 on June 30, 2018. Tags: parole,population,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon applications declining trend There were 421 fewer pardon and restoration of rights applications received during FY18 compared to the previous year. There were 237 fewer grants in FY18 than the previous fiscal year. Tags: pardons,trends,clemency Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 LEGAL FACTS (18) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Board composition and 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. In 1943, the Board was established through a constitutional amendment and consisted of three members. 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. Tags: legal,governance,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board is sole authority for death sentence commutation in Georgia 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 conduct a clemency meeting for the condemned inmate after which they may commute a death sentence to life with or without the possibility of parole, issue a stay or deny clemency. Tags: death_penalty,clemency,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Three of five Board members must agree on parole decision Three of the five board members must agree on a decision for parole to be granted. Tags: legal,parole,governance Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life sentence parole eligibility thresholds Since 1995, there have been two statutory changes pertaining to serious violent felonies that determine the minimum amount of the sentence to be served to become parole eligible for offenders sentenced to life with parole eligibility. If a crime considered to be a 'seven deadly sin' was committed prior to 1995, the offender is eligible after seven years. In 1995, offenders committing these crimes became eligible after serving 14 years. If the crime is committed after July 1, 2006, the offender is eligible for parole after serving 30 years. Tags: life_sentences,legal,parole,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Seven deadly sins offenses defined The 'seven deadly sins' offenses are murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy and aggravated sexual battery (O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1). Tags: legal,violent_crime,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 72-hour statutory notification before parole release Judges, district attorneys, sheriffs (of the county of residence prior to arrest) and registered victims also receive a 72-hour statutory notification that the offender is about to be paroled. (O.C.G.A. § 42-9-47) Tags: notifications,legal,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim notification requirement for parole consideration 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: victims,notifications,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole revocation authority under O.C.G.A. § 42-9-51 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: legal,parole,revocations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon notification law adopted in 2015 A state law adopted in 2015 created a notification process informing registered victims and prosecutors, in specific cases, when an offender is seeking a pardon. The Parole Board exceeds the statutory requirements and sends these notifications regarding all applications received. Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: pardons,victims,notifications,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board is sole authority for parole decisions in Georgia 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: legal,parole,governance 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: history,legal,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] State Board of Pardons and Paroles established in 1943 The General Assembly enacted legislation, and signed it into law in February of 1943, creating the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as an independent agency to administer executive clemency. 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: history,legal,governance Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] HB310 created Department of Community Supervision in FY2015 During FY 2015, HB310 created the Department of Community Supervision (DCS). An Executive Order transferred $10,058,280 to DCS at the beginning of FY 2016. 400+ Parole Officers remained on the Parole payroll throughout FY 2016, although operationally transferred to DCS. In FY 2017, PAP transferred $29,720,450 in state funds, mainly for payroll, to DCS. Tags: legislation,reorganization,budget,supervision 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: legal,warrants,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board authority to commute sentences to time served The Parole Board has the authority to commute an offender's sentence to time served. This includes offenders serving parole. Offenders serving parole may petition to have their prison sentence commuted by the Board. Tags: legal,commutations,parole 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 for a required period of years following the completion of their sentence(s). Tags: pardons,legal,records Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Documents protected from public disclosure in parole files Documents protected by Georgia law from public disclosure include but are not limited to: victim correspondence, the offender's medical information, GCIC/NCIC reports, the hearing examiner's executive summary of the offender's case, the Board ballot, the offender's residence plan verification, correspondence to the Board including from those opposing parole for the offender, parole investigations, pardon application, and petition for commutation of a death sentence. Tags: legal,records,privacy,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Public documents in parole files Many documents in the parole file on the offender are public. They may include sentencing documents, notifications to the offender regarding the Board's decision, notice of consideration for parole prior to serving one-third of the sentence, notice of the final decision to parole, correspondence sent by the Board in response to an offender's correspondence, parole certificate, notice of the preliminary revocation hearing, the preliminary hearing summary, the waiver of the preliminary revocation hearing, notice of the final revocation hearing, the waiver of the final revocation hearing, revocation orders, the public portion of the revocation hearing recording, court production orders, detainers, subpoenas, Board arrest warrants, the certificate of discharge from parole, the pardon order, restoration of political and civil rights order, commutation order, and Board orders in death penalty cases. Tags: legal,records,transparency,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 POLICYS (28) ---------------------------------------- - [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: life_sentences,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System revised in 2017 Revisions to the guidelines were completed in 2017. Updates included raising the crime severity level of certain conviction types. 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. Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: parole,policy,risk_assessment,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole hearings are not held in Georgia Parole 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: parole,policy,operations 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: pardons,sex_offenders,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board supports GDC reentry efforts The Board works closely with and supports the reentry efforts of the Department of Corrections by participating in offender population meetings and the agency's Family Day, where offender families are able to meet with staff from both agencies. Tags: reentry,parole,partnerships Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] PERKS review with Robina Institute In FY 2018, the Board completed a review of its offender violations and revocation process in collaboration with the Robina Institute. As a result the agency is focusing on recommendations for improvements allowing for the best decision making involving offenders who violate parole conditions. Recommendations from the research are being worked into a new module through a partnership with Applied Research Services, Inc. Tags: parole,revocations,research,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia Tech joint research project on parole success factors The agency is engaged in a joint research project with Georgia Tech to determine factors among similarly situated individuals that lead to success and what the Parole Board can mandate prior to any clemency release and post release to provide the best possible chance of an individual being successful. Tags: research,parole,reentry,partnerships Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Legal investigations module developed in FY2018 A new investigations module was developed to allow for 'real time' tracking of legal investigations regarding offender parole cases and it will result in a new computer software system that will enhance the entire investigative process. The new system will result in a more efficient movement of cases through the investigative process, resulting in more timely decision making by the Board. Tags: technology,investigations,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Scan team enhancements in FY2018 A new scanning process has been developed improving the management of the thousands of documents that are scanned into the agency's electronic case management system. As a result, all documents are now properly scanned eliminating the rescanning of documents. Tags: technology,operations,records Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Strategic plan updated in FY2018 In FY 2018, the Board updated the agency strategic plan aligning goals and the vision with those of the Governor. The plan guides the agency's progress to benefit all Georgians. Tags: policy,planning,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Clemency Online Navigation System (CONS) electronic case management 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 Parole Board Members to access the offender's case material and make clemency decisions electronically. The agency has completed the process of submitting life-sentenced inmate cases to the Board electronically. Now all parole eligible inmate cases in Georgia may be voted electronically by the Board. Tags: technology,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Tentative Parole Month can be rescinded The Tentative Parole Month or 'tentative grant' can be rescinded at any time. The TPM is not a release date or a final parole release decision. 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] Parole Board monthly meetings do not decide cases The Board conducts monthly Parole 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: parole,policy,governance Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board moved October 2017 monthly meeting to Cordele In a move to make the Parole Board more accessible to all Georgians, the October 2017 monthly Parole Board meeting was moved from Atlanta to Cordele. Tags: outreach,governance,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] P.O.S.T. training requirement for district operations managers District operations managers are required to annually complete 20 hours of P.O.S.T. training to include weapons requalification. Tags: training,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Sworn staff training requirement Sworn staff must complete a minimum of 20 hours annually, which includes mandatory firearms requalification and use of deadly force. Non-sworn staff must complete a minimum of eight hours of training annually. Tags: training,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] De-escalation and Community Policing training requirement Beginning January 1, 2017, Board-sworn staff must participate in De-escalation and Community Policing training. Both sworn and non-sworn staff must complete Unlawful Harassment and Professionalism and Ethics training each year. Tags: training,policy,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board membership in ICAOS The State Board of Pardons and Paroles, in FY18, 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: interstate_compact,policy,supervision Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Offender Dialogue can only be initiated by victim VOD can only be initiated by the victim and the offender must voluntarily agree to participate and must acknowledge his/her role in the crime. VOD requires a lengthy preparation process involving both the victim and the offender working separately with a trained facilitator. Tags: victims,restorative_justice,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] V.I.P. is a 24-hour automated information system V.I.P. is a 24-hour automated information system providing registered crime victims and/or their family members with access to information about their offender. 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. Tags: victims,technology,services Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia Office of Victim Services supported by three state 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,services,governance Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman serves on Board of Community Supervision As Parole Board Chairman, Mr. Barnard also serves on the Board of Community Supervision. The board has regulatory oversight of the Department of Community Supervision which is responsible for the supervision of felony offenders on probation and parole in Georgia. Tags: governance,supervision,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Vice Chairman serves on Board of Community Supervision As vice chairman, Mr. Owens also serves on the Board of Community Supervision. The board has regulatory oversight of the Department of Community Supervision which is responsible for the supervision of felony offenders on probation and parole in Georgia. Tags: governance,supervision,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board exceeds statutory pardon notification requirements The Parole Board exceeds the statutory requirements and sends these notifications regarding all applications received for pardons, not just specific cases as required by law. Tags: pardons,notifications,policy,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board sends secondary solicitation beyond statutory requirement The Board's 'Secondary Solicitation of Information' is sent to the prosecuting district attorney's office and the judge regarding an offender convicted of a serious felony. The notification is made six months prior to the offender's statutorily mandated parole eligibility date. More than 3,000 such notifications were sent in FY18. Tags: notifications,policy,parole,legal 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. 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: technology,hearings,revocations,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Intermediate sanctions reduce technical revocations The appropriate recommendations and enforcement of intermediate sanctions, such as treatment referral, administrative hearings, electronic monitoring 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. 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. Tags: parole,sanctions,policy,revocations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board exceeds statutory notification requirements The Board continued efforts to solicit case information as required by state law and also continued providing notification of parole considerations not required by statute. Tags: notifications,policy,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 FINDINGS (5) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] 75th anniversary of State Board of Pardons and Paroles commemorated At the June 2018 monthly Parole Board meeting, the 75th anniversary of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles was commemorated. Relatives of the first three Parole Board Members attended and were recognized with board resolutions. Tags: history,governance Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board partnerships with law enforcement organizations Partnerships were formed with various law enforcement organizations during the fiscal year. Parole leadership participated in various training meetings and conferences to include: the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia, the Georgia Sheriffs' Association, and the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Tags: partnerships,law_enforcement,outreach Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole staff attend inmate graduations Parole staff attended inmate graduations throughout the fiscal year, showing support for the achievements of offenders. During the fiscal year, the Parole Board took opportunities to notify graduates of their parole release at the graduation, sending a powerful message to the inmate population about the importance of program completions. Tags: reentry,education,parole,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 budget increase due to law enforcement raises Increase in FY 2018 budget due to law enforcement raises (20%) and 2 new positions. Tags: budget,staffing,compensation Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia parole completion rate exceeds national average Georgia's percentage of parolees successfully completing parole in FY18 was 72%, compared to the national average of approximately 57% according to Bureau of Justice Statistics figures. Tags: parole,reentry,outcomes Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024; Bureau of Justice Statistics CASE DETAILS (4) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Reentry video highlights parole success 'A Parole Success and a Recipe for Returning Offenders' was released at the November 2017 monthly Parole Board meeting. Carey Parrott received a pardon from the Board as a result of his successful reentry following years in prison and completion of his sentences. In the video, Parrott explains his successes and recommendations for other returning citizens. Tags: reentry,pardons,outreach Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Terry Barnard reappointed to Parole Board Governor Nathan Deal re-appointed Parole Board Member Terry Barnard to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. The appointment, Mr. Barnard's second full term, was made in December of 2017. Tags: governance,appointments Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] David Herring appointed to Parole Board David J. Herring was appointed to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles on August 1, 2018, by Governor Nathan Deal. Tags: governance,appointments Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn appointed to State Commission on Family Violence In August 2018, Ms. Bunn was appointed by Governor Deal to the State Commission on Family Violence. Tags: governance,appointments,family_violence Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 QUOTES (6) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Board Chairman quote on public safety In closing, I reiterate that the State Board of Pardons and Paroles exists to benefit public safety. An effective parole decision making process delivers informed, data driven decisions resulting in successful parole completions. Tags: parole,public_safety,governance Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director quote on being number one paroling authority To be the number one paroling authority in the nation we must continue to find ways of improving. We're currently engaged in several projects to meet this goal. Tags: parole,governance,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director quote on four Es In order to achieve continued enhancement of the process, operationally we must continue our partnerships with stakeholders across the state. Every taxpayer funded agency should be looking for ways to collaborate with stakeholders and each other, specifically as it relates to providing for public safety. For the operations of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, this is referred to as the four Es: Engaging all stakeholders in the clemency process, Educating stakeholders on the clemency process, Encouraging stakeholders to become or remain actively involved in the clemency consideration process and, if we are successful with the first three Es, the fourth E will be realized and that is the Enhancement of the clemency consideration process. Tags: parole,governance,outreach Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chairman quote on victim meetings We are committed to protecting victims' rights to include an interest in their healing which was evident again in FY18 as we conducted more one-on-one meetings with crime victims than in any previous year. More than 500 victims, including their family members, met with the Board. Victims have an integral position in the parole decision making process. Tags: victims,parole,engagement Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chairman quote on parole decision making process As you review the report, you will find that the parole decision making process incorporates scientific best practices, is data driven and evidence based. It is a process made public through multiple notifications that enables stakeholders, including the community, to contribute by providing information and input regarding an offender's case. Tags: parole,methodology,transparency Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director quote on mission focus While serving the Parole Board and the citizens of Georgia in this capacity, I have ensured the operations of the agency remained mission focused, ensuring public safety, protecting victims' rights and providing offenders with opportunities for positive change. Tags: parole,public_safety,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 METHODOLOGY NOTES (12) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Board uses data-driven decision making The parole decision making process incorporates scientific best practices, is data driven and evidence based. By utilizing the Board's Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System, the process is scientific and data driven. Tags: parole,methodology,risk_assessment Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System methodology The guidelines account for the severity of the crime and the offender's risk to reoffend. The offender's risk to reoffend is determined by weighted factors concerning the offender's criminal and social history that the Board has found to have value in predicting the probability of further criminal behavior. The updated guidelines take into account statewide sentencing averages and parole decisions by previous boards. Tags: parole,methodology,risk_assessment Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost avoidance calculation methodology The fiscal year cost avoidance is calculated based on the FY18 cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia ($61.00) compared to the community supervision cost per day ($2.11). Tags: budget,costs,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Arrests are better statistical predictor than convictions Research has proven arrests to be a better statistical predictor of future criminal behavior than conviction history. Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: methodology,risk_assessment,research Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole case file contents The comprehensive electronic case 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,methodology,records 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 an eligible inmate 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, and parole release plan. Tags: parole,methodology,decision_making 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. Tags: parole,methodology,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Final review process before parole release As the 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. Tags: parole,methodology,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life sentence parole consideration methodology Inmates serving a life sentence are considered when they become eligible under Georgia law. Unlike other offenders, the Board's guidelines are not used and a TPM is not the result of the Board's decision. The Board's decision is either to grant or deny 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: life_sentences,parole,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole violation investigation 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,violations,methodology 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,revocations,hearings,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon investigation process 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. The current application requires applicants to provide 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: pardons,methodology,clemency Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 DATASETS (10) ---------------------------------------- # Parole Releases by Fiscal Year FY2014-FY2018 Total prison releases by parole for each fiscal year from FY2014 through FY2018. Fiscal Year Parole Releases ------------------------------ FY14 16212 FY15 13520 FY16 13374 FY17 10468 FY18 10363 # Life Sentence Parole Decisions by Fiscal Year FY2014-FY2018 Number of life sentence cases granted and denied parole for each fiscal year from FY2014 through FY2018. Fiscal Year Granted Denied ------------------------------ FY14 133 577 FY15 151 1230 FY16 163 1504 FY17 104 1471 FY18 119 1517 # Parole Revocations by Fiscal Year FY2014-FY2018 Number of parole violators revoked and returned to prison for each fiscal year from FY2014 through FY2018. Fiscal Year Revocations -------------------------- FY14 2380 FY15 2655 FY16 2505 FY17 2681 FY18 2525 # Cost Per Day: Incarceration vs. Parole Supervision FY2014-FY2018 Cost per day of incarceration compared to cost per day of parole supervision for each fiscal year from FY2014 through FY2018. Fiscal Year Incarceration Cost Per Day Parole Cost Per Day -------------------------------------------------------------- FY14 52.81 4.03 FY15 52.81 4.49 FY16 52.95 3.54 FY17 53.76 2.12 FY18 61 2.11 # Fiscal Year Cost Avoidance FY2014-FY2018 Annual cost avoidance to the prison system as a result of offenders serving their sentence on parole for each fiscal year from FY2014 through FY2018. Fiscal Year Cost Avoidance ----------------------------- FY14 469000000 FY15 451000000 FY16 450000000 FY17 377000000 FY18 450000000 # Life Sentence Time Served for Serious Violent Felonies - Parole Eligible Offenders Average time served in prison by life-sentenced inmates convicted of serious violent felonies before being released, at selected years. Year Average Time Served --------------------------- 1973 9 2000 15 2010 20 2018 26 # FY2018 Clemency Actions Detailed breakdown of clemency actions taken by the Parole Board during Fiscal Year 2018. Action Type Count ---------------------------------------------------------- Parole Certificates 7703 Out-of-State Parole Orders 316 Conditional Transfers 904 Out-of-State Conditional Transfers 230 Supervised Reprieves 1061 Out-of-State Supervised Reprieves 19 Commutations 1 Medical Reprieves 23 Out-of-State ICE Orders 106 Total Prison Releases by Parole 10363 Total Discharges from Parole 8501 Total Guidelines Decisions 13923 Life Sentence Cases Denied Parole 1517 Life Sentence Cases Granted Parole 119 Total Life Sentence Case Decisions 1636 Restoration of Civil and Political Rights Granted 70 Pardon Grants 412 Total Pardons & Restorations Granted 482 Preliminary Revocation Hearings 286 Final Revocation Hearings 310 # Pardon Administration Unit FY2018 Pardon and restoration of rights application and grant data for Fiscal Year 2018. Category Count -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applications received (all types) 647 Pardons granted without firearms being restored 163 Pardons granted with firearms being restored 249 Restorations of civil and political rights 57 Restorations of civil and political rights with firearms restored 13 Total applications granted 482 # FY2018 Human Resources Data Staffing data for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in Fiscal Year 2018, including gender, race/ethnicity, and age group breakdowns. Category Count ---------------------------- Full-Time Employees 182 Female 148 Male 34 Multi-Racial 1 Asian 2 Hispanic 2 Black 101 White 76 Age 20-29 13 Age 30-39 26 Age 40-49 52 Age 50-59 71 Age 60 Plus 20 # FY2018 Budget and Fiscal Data Budget and expenditure data for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in Fiscal Year 2018. Category Amount ---------------------------------- Personal Services 15320152 Regular Operating 741092 Computer Charges 177197 Real Estate Rental 415805 Telecommunications 171916 Contracts 440114 County Jail Subsidy 232125 Motor Vehicle Purchase 13604 Total Expenditures 17512005 State Funds 17585140 Federal Funds 102602 Other Funds 88913 Total Funds 17776655 KEY ENTITIES (37) ---------------------------------------- - 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. - 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) - Carey Parrott [person]: Received a pardon from the Parole Board as a result of his successful reentry following years in prison. Featured in the video 'A Parole Success and a Recipe for Returning Offenders' released in November 2017. (aka: Parrott) - 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) - David J. Herring [person]: Chairman of the Georgia Parole Board for FY2025. Appointed to the Board August 1, 2018, by Governor Deal. Former Lt. Colonel with Georgia Department of Public Safety. - Department of Community Supervision [organization]: Georgia state agency created by HB310 in FY2015, responsible for the supervision of felony offenders on probation and parole in Georgia. Offenders released on parole are supervised by DCS. (aka: DCS) - Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police [organization]: Organization of Georgia police chiefs surveyed by FOX 5 Atlanta in 2024 regarding field drug test practices - Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers [organization]: Identified as institutional ally for Georgia field drug test reform legislation (aka: GACDL) - 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) - Georgia Sheriffs' Association [organization]: Stakeholder organization engaged by the Parole Board in FY25. - Georgia Tech [organization]: University engaged in a joint research project with the Parole Board to determine factors among similarly situated individuals that lead to success on parole. (aka: Georgia Institute of Technology) - HB310 [legislation]: Legislation that created the Department of Community Supervision (DCS) during FY2015. - ICE Rapid REPAT Program [program]: Program through which foreign national offenders on parole are released to ICE for deportation. (aka: Removal of Eligible Parolees Accepted for Transfer) - Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision [organization]: Commission responsible for creating and upholding rules governing interstate transfer of adult offender supervision. Comprises all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands. (aka: ICAOS) - Jacqueline Bunn [person]: Member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Appointed effective July 1, 2016 by Governor Nathan Deal, reappointed to a full seven-year term in December 2016. Former Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. (aka: Jacqueline Bunn, Esq., Ms. Bunn) - James W. Mills [person]: Member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Served as chairman for FY2018 and vice chairman for FY2015-FY2017. Appointed to the Board in November 2011 by Governor Nathan Deal. Former State Representative from Hall County. (aka: James Mills) - Nathan Deal [person]: Former Georgia Governor (2011-2019) whose justice reinvestment reforms (2012-2015) resulted in a 6% prison population decrease, $264M in averted costs, and $57M reinvested. (aka: Governor Deal) - New Direction Recovery Program [program]: Intensive addiction program for higher risk/higher need parolees at Treutlen Probation Detention Center, used as alternative to parole revocation. - 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) - Parole Exits and Revocation Knowledge System [program]: Review of the Parole Board's offender violations and revocation process completed in FY2018 in collaboration with the Robina Institute. (aka: PERKS) - Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia [organization]: Stakeholder organization engaged by the Parole Board in FY25. - Rita Rocker [person]: Deputy Executive Director appointed June 1, 2015. Also served as Director of Georgia Office of Victim Services from September 2020 to June 2024. - Robina Institute [organization]: Organization that collaborated with the Parole Board in FY2018 to review the offender violations and revocation process (PERKS - Parole Exits and Revocation Knowledge System). - Senate Bill 174 [legislation]: Legislation passed in 2017 that included a provision requiring the Board to consider commuting the sentences of specific offenders serving a split sentence who have successfully completed twelve consecutive months of parole supervision (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-21). (aka: SB174, SB 174) - 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) - State Board of Pardons and Paroles [organization]: Georgia state entity that serves as a reporting entity for sexual abuse allegations in prisons - State Commission on Family Violence [organization]: Commission that works to educate and raise awareness about family violence in Georgia. Evaluates services, researches the need for additional services, and offers and monitors proposed legislation concerning family violence. - Terry E. Barnard [person]: Board Member and second longest serving chair in the Board's 80-year history. Served as chairman from July 2014 to June 2017 and July 2018 to June 2024. Former State Representative for nearly 16 years. - Treutlen Probation Detention Center [facility]: Probation detention center housing the New Direction Recovery Program for parolees. - Victim Information Program [program]: 24-hour automated notification system operated by the Georgia Parole Board's Office of Victim Services (1-800-593-9474) (aka: V.I.P.) - Victim Offender Dialogue Program [program]: Program offering structured, safe environment for victims of violent crimes to engage in one-on-one meetings with their offenders. (aka: VOD) - Victim Support Partners [program]: Statewide network of dedicated victim-volunteers who support victims and their families. Crime victims who provide post-sentencing advocacy. 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