GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: BOPP Annual Report FY2020 — Georgia Parole Board ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-08-21 21:25:16 EDT Research Date: 2026-08-13 Topic: Parole JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/bopp-annual-report-fy2020-georgia-parole-board/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY2020 Annual Report documents the Board's operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, including 10,429 total prison releases through clemency, a 73% parole completion rate, and 918 additional pandemic-related releases. The report highlights the Board's use of the Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System, the GPEDS electronic case management system, and extensive victim notification processes. Key data includes 75,522 clemency votes, 21,790 inmate cases considered, and an annual cost avoidance of over $399 million from parole supervision versus incarceration. STATISTICS (150) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Total Clemency Votes in FY2020 In Fiscal Year 2020, the Parole Board Members made a total of 75,522 clemency votes, representing all Board decisions requiring a vote for each offender case considered during the fiscal year. Value: 75522.0 votes Tags: parole,operations,clemency Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Inmate Cases Considered in FY2020 The total number of individual inmate cases (eligible offenders) considered during FY2020 was 21,790. This is the total number of parole eligible offenders requiring a board decision during the fiscal year regarding whether to grant or deny parole. Value: 21790.0 cases Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Prison Releases in FY2020 The Board released from prison a total of 10,429 offenders in FY2020 through all forms of clemency, including releasing inmates on parole. This total represented 974 more releases from the previous fiscal year. Value: 10429.0 offenders (vs. 974 increase over previous fiscal year) Tags: parole,releases,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Completion Rate in FY2020 In FY2020, the parole success completion rate in Georgia was 73%, while the national average was estimated to be approximately 60%. Value: 73.0 percent (vs. 60 national average) Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Parolees Successfully Completing Parole in FY2020 In FY2020, 21,790 parolees successfully completed parole, according to the Five Member Parole Board section of the report. Value: 21790.0 parolees Tags: parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pandemic-Related Additional Releases In order to provide the Georgia Department of Corrections additional flexibility to manage the inmate population in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Board facilitated an additional 918 releases above the average number of monthly parole releases. The action took place in the months of April and May. Value: 918.0 releases Tags: parole,releases,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Stakeholder Notifications in FY2020 In FY20, the Clemency Division of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles made more than 30,000 notifications to stakeholders regarding parole cases. Value: 30000.0 notifications Tags: parole,operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Secondary Solicitation Notifications Sent In FY20, more than 1,500 secondary solicitation case notifications were sent to judges and district attorneys regarding offenders convicted of serious felonies, six months prior to the offender's statutorily mandated parole eligibility date. Value: 1500.0 notifications Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 90-Day Statutory Notifications for Serious Violent Felonies The Board sent 347 statutory 90-day notifications regarding pending paroles for offenders convicted of a 'serious violent felony' in FY2020. These notifications cover the offenses known as the 'seven deadly sins': murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, and aggravated sexual battery. Value: 347.0 notifications Tags: parole,operations,legal,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Victim Services Correspondence Sent In FY20, the Georgia Office of Victim Services sent more than 16,000 pieces of correspondence to registered crime victims. Value: 16000.0 pieces of correspondence Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Services Phone Calls Handled In FY20, 10,741 phone calls from victims were handled by staff of the Georgia Office of Victim Services. Value: 10741.0 phone calls Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Services Correspondence Received In FY20, 8,144 correspondences were received from victims and filed with the Georgia Office of Victim Services. Value: 8144.0 pieces of correspondence Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Offender Files Initialized for Consideration In FY20, there were 20,556 offender files initiated for consideration by the Clemency Division. Value: 20556.0 files Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GPEDS Notifications Generated In FY20, 30,014 notifications (all types) were generated by GPEDS (Georgia Parole Evidence-based Data System). Value: 30014.0 notifications Tags: parole,operations,technology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Preconditions to Parole Imposed There were 5,643 preconditions to parole imposed by the Board on inmates during FY2020. Value: 5643.0 preconditions Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] PIC Points Awarded in FY2020 In FY20, the Parole Board members granted 39,374 PIC (Performance Incentive Credit) or PIC points to state inmates who had earned them by completing specific programming and work details. Each PIC point equals one month that a TPM can be changed to an earlier date. Value: 39374.0 PIC points Tags: parole,operations,reentry,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Clemency Investigations Completed In FY20, the clemency investigators completed 39,060 investigations for the Parole Board. Value: 39060.0 investigations Tags: parole,operations,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon and Restoration Applications Received In FY20, 763 pardon and restoration of rights applications were received and 402 were granted (all types). There were 101 more applications received during the fiscal year compared to the previous year. Value: 763.0 applications (vs. 101 increase over previous year) Tags: pardons,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardons Granted Without Firearms Restored In FY20, 157 pardons were granted without firearms being restored. Value: 157.0 pardons Tags: pardons,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardons Granted With Firearms Restored In FY20, 166 pardons were granted with firearms being restored. Value: 166.0 pardons Tags: pardons,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Restorations of Civil and Political Rights Granted In FY20, 68 restorations of civil and political rights were granted, and 11 restorations of civil and political rights with firearms restored were granted. Value: 68.0 restorations Tags: pardons,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Notification to Victims and District Attorneys During FY20, the Parole Board sent 323 notifications to registered victims and district attorneys regarding ex-offenders applying for pardons. Value: 323.0 notifications Tags: pardons,victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Certificates Issued In FY2020, 7,014 parole certificates were issued. Value: 7014.0 certificates Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-State Parole Orders In FY2020, 330 out-of-state parole orders were issued. Value: 330.0 orders Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Conditional Transfers In FY2020, 829 conditional transfers were processed. Value: 829.0 transfers Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-State Conditional Transfers In FY2020, 219 out-of-state conditional transfers were processed. Value: 219.0 transfers Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Supervised Reprieves In FY2020, 981 supervised reprieves were granted. Value: 981.0 reprieves Tags: clemency,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-State Supervised Reprieves In FY2020, 8 out-of-state supervised reprieves were granted. Value: 8.0 reprieves Tags: clemency,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Commutations Granted In FY2020, 918 commutations were granted. Value: 918.0 commutations Tags: clemency,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Medical Reprieves In FY2020, 41 medical reprieves were granted. Value: 41.0 reprieves Tags: clemency,medical,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-State ICE Orders In FY2020, 89 out-of-state ICE orders were processed. Value: 89.0 orders Tags: transfers,operations,immigration Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Discharges from Parole In FY2020, 7,130 offenders were discharged from parole. Value: 7130.0 discharges Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Guidelines Decisions In FY2020, 13,458 total guidelines decisions were made. Value: 13458.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Cases Denied Parole In FY2020, 1,786 life sentence cases were denied parole. Value: 1786.0 cases Tags: parole,life_sentences,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Cases Granted Parole In FY2020, 223 life sentence cases were granted parole. Value: 223.0 cases Tags: parole,life_sentences,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Life Sentence Case Decisions In FY2020, 2,009 total life sentence case decisions were made. Value: 2009.0 decisions Tags: parole,life_sentences,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Restoration of Civil and Political Rights Granted In FY2020, 79 restorations of civil and political rights were granted. Value: 79.0 restorations Tags: pardons,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Grants In FY2020, 323 pardon grants were issued. Value: 323.0 pardons Tags: pardons,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Pardons and Restorations Granted In FY2020, 402 total pardons and restorations were granted. Value: 402.0 grants Tags: pardons,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Population on June 30, 2020 During Fiscal Year 2020, the population of offenders on parole under community supervision increased from 20,719 on July 1, 2019, to 21,069 on June 30, 2020. Value: 21069.0 offenders (vs. 20719 population on July 1, 2019) Tags: parole,demographics,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cumulative Parole Supervision Population The cumulative number of offenders under parole supervision during FY2020 was 30,830. Value: 30830.0 offenders Tags: parole,demographics,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Revocations in FY2020 During FY20, the Board revoked 2,199 parole violators, returning offenders to prison to serve their sentences in confinement. The number revoked decreased by 521 from the previous fiscal year. Value: 2199.0 revocations (vs. 521 decrease from previous fiscal year) Tags: parole,revocations,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Technical Violation Revocation Rate Of the FY20 total number of revocations, less than 1% of those revoked were revoked on the basis of technical violations which include, but not limited to, drug use, curfew violations, or failure to pay fines and fees. Value: 1.0 percent Tags: parole,revocations,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Warrants Issued In FY20, a total of 5,768 warrants were issued by the Parole Board. Value: 5768.0 warrants Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GCIC/NCIC Warrant Entries In FY20, the GCIC Unit entered 3,263 warrants into the GCIC/NCIC system. Value: 3263.0 warrants Tags: parole,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Final Revocation Hearings Conducted Parole Board Members conducted 210 final revocation hearings during FY20. Value: 210.0 hearings Tags: parole,revocations,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] SB174 Commutation Cases Considered During FY2020, the Parole Board considered 1,248 cases for commutation under SB174 and commuted sixteen (16) cases that met the strict criteria of the Board. Value: 1248.0 cases Tags: clemency,commutations,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] SB174 Cases Commuted During FY2020, the Parole Board commuted sixteen (16) cases under SB174 that met the strict criteria of the Board. Value: 16.0 cases Tags: clemency,commutations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Offenders Released to Out-of-State Supervision During FY20, the Interstate Compact Unit released 398 offenders to out-of-state supervision. Value: 398.0 offenders Tags: parole,transfers,operations 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, 2020, there were 2,456 Georgia offenders under active parole supervision in Compact states. Value: 2456.0 offenders Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Compact State Offenders on Parole Supervision in Georgia As of June 30, 2020, there were 1,431 other Compact state offenders on parole supervision in Georgia. Value: 1431.0 offenders Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Foreign National Offenders Released to ICE Via the ICE Rapid REPAT (Removal of Eligible Parolees Accepted for Transfer) Program, 95 foreign national offenders were released to ICE for deportation at an estimated cost avoidance of $5,336,319. Value: 95.0 offenders Tags: transfers,immigration,operations,budget Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] ICE Rapid REPAT Cost Avoidance The ICE Rapid REPAT Program resulted in an estimated cost avoidance of $5,336,319 in FY2020. Value: 5336319.0 dollars Tags: budget,transfers,immigration Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Documents Scanned into Case Management Systems During FY20, 31,138 documents were scanned into the case management systems (Portal, GPEDS and TRIM system) utilized by the Board to make parole decisions. Value: 31138.0 documents Tags: operations,technology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Active Lifer Offender Parole Files Scanned There were 494 active lifer offender parole files scanned during FY2020. Value: 494.0 files Tags: operations,technology,life_sentences Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Archived Files Imaged There were 9,234 archived files imaged during FY2020. There are approximately 154,018 archived files remaining to be imaged. Value: 9234.0 files Tags: operations,technology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Archived Files Remaining to be Imaged There are approximately 154,018 archived files remaining to be imaged. Value: 154018.0 files Tags: operations,technology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] New Direction Recovery Program Referrals For FY20, 127 parolees were referred to the New Direction Recovery Program. Value: 127.0 parolees Tags: reentry,programs,substance_abuse,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] New Direction Recovery Program Graduates As of June 30, 2020, 120 parolees had graduated from the New Direction Recovery Program during the fiscal year and were returned to parole supervision. Value: 120.0 parolees Tags: reentry,programs,substance_abuse,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] New GA-V.I.P. Registrants For FY20, there were 3,359 new GA-V.I.P. registrants. Value: 3359.0 registrants Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GA-V.I.P. Phone Calls Logged For FY20, 4,389 phone calls from victims were logged into the GA-V.I.P. system. Value: 4389.0 phone calls Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Offender Dialogue Sessions Completed In FY20, five (5) Victim Offender Dialogue sessions were completed. Value: 5.0 sessions Tags: victims,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Victim Support Partners Volunteer Hours During FY20, Victim Support Partners completed nearly 100 volunteer hours supporting other Georgia crime victims. Value: 100.0 hours Tags: victims,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims Visitors' Days Events Hosted Since the program's beginning in 2006, the Georgia Office of Victim Services has hosted 31 separate Victims Visitors' Day events with 22 different judicial circuits, serving 4,135 crime victims including family members. Value: 31.0 events Tags: victims,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Crime Victims Served Through Victims Visitors' Days Since the program's beginning in 2006, the Georgia Office of Victim Services has served 4,135 crime victims including family members through Victims Visitors' Days. Value: 4135.0 victims Tags: victims,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Informational Packets Distributed During FY20 community events, staff distributed nearly 200 informational packets. Value: 200.0 packets Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Full-time Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 170 full-time employees in FY2020. Value: 170.0 employees Tags: staffing,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Female Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 140 female full-time employees in FY2020. Value: 140.0 employees Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Male Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 30 male full-time employees in FY2020. Value: 30.0 employees Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Asian Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 2 Asian employees in FY2020. Value: 2.0 employees Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Black Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 102 Black employees in FY2020. Value: 102.0 employees Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] White Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 66 White employees in FY2020. Value: 66.0 employees Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Employees Age 20-29 The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 11 employees in the 20-29 age group in FY2020. Value: 11.0 employees Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Employees Age 30-39 The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 34 employees in the 30-39 age group in FY2020. Value: 34.0 employees Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Employees Age 40-49 The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 50 employees in the 40-49 age group in FY2020. Value: 50.0 employees Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Employees Age 50-59 The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 56 employees in the 50-59 age group in FY2020. Value: 56.0 employees Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Employees Age 60 Plus The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 19 employees in the 60 plus age group in FY2020. Value: 19.0 employees Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Training Hours Delivered to Sworn Staff In FY2020, 2,813 hours of training were delivered to sworn staff. Value: 2813.0 hours Tags: staffing,training,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Training Hours Delivered to Non-Sworn Staff In FY2020, 2,087 hours of training were delivered to non-sworn staff. Value: 2087.0 hours Tags: staffing,training,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Agency Training Hours Delivered In FY2020, 2,191 agency training hours were delivered. Value: 2191.0 hours Tags: staffing,training,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Expenditures for FY2020 Total expenditures for FY2020 were $16,954,797. Value: 16954797.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Personal Services Expenditures Personal Services expenditures for FY2020 were $15,265,387, representing 90.04% of total expenditures. Value: 15265387.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Regular Operating Expenditures Regular Operating expenditures for FY2020 were $450,591, representing 2.66% of total expenditures. Value: 450591.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Computer Charges Expenditures Computer Charges expenditures for FY2020 were $139,341, representing 0.82% of total expenditures. Value: 139341.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Real Estate Rental Expenditures Real Estate Rental expenditures for FY2020 were $425,980, representing 2.51% of total expenditures. Value: 425980.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Telecommunications Expenditures Telecommunications expenditures for FY2020 were $153,707, representing 0.91% of total expenditures. Value: 153707.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Contracts Expenditures Contracts expenditures for FY2020 were $341,561, representing 2.01% of total expenditures. Value: 341561.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] County Jail Subsidy Expenditures County Jail Subsidy expenditures for FY2020 were $178,230, representing 1.05% of total expenditures. Value: 178230.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Federal Funds Expenditures Federal funds expenditures for FY2020 were $94,170. Value: 94170.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Other Funds Expenditures Other funds expenditures for FY2020 were $55,510. Value: 55510.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] State Funds Expenditures State funds expenditures for FY2020 were $16,805,117. Value: 16805117.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Administration Program Expenditures Board Administration program expenditures for FY2020 were $2,130,398, representing 12.57% of total expenditures. Value: 2130398.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Clemency Decisions Program Expenditures Clemency Decisions program expenditures for FY2020 were $14,226,775, representing 83.91% of total expenditures. Value: 14226775.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Services Program Expenditures Victim Services program expenditures for FY2020 were $597,624, representing 3.52% of total expenditures. Value: 597624.0 dollars Tags: budget,victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2020 State Funds Budget The FY2020 state funds budget was $18,208,771. Value: 18208771.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] AFY2020 State Funds Budget The AFY2020 state funds budget was $17,483,134. Value: 17483134.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] AFY2020 Total Funds Budget The AFY2020 total funds budget was $17,632,815. Value: 17632815.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Annual Cost Avoidance from Parole Supervision The annual cost avoidance to the state, due to offenders being under parole supervision as opposed to housing them in prison, was more than $399,000,000 for FY20. Value: 399000000.0 dollars Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Per Day of Incarceration FY2020 The cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia was $61.73 in FY2020, according to the most recent Georgia Department of Corrections' cost per day data. Value: 61.73 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Per Day of Parole Supervision FY2020 The cost per day of community supervision (parole) was $2.19 in FY2020. Value: 2.19 dollars per day Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average Time Served for Life Sentences in FY2020 In FY2020, the average time served on a life sentence for serious violent felonies was 27 years. Value: 27.0 years Tags: life_sentences,parole,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average 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: life_sentences,parole,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average Time Served for Life Sentences in 2000 By the year 2000, the average time served on a life sentence for serious violent felonies had risen to more than 15 years. Value: 15.0 years Date: 2000-01-01 Tags: life_sentences,parole,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average Time Served for Life Sentences in 2010 By 2010, the average time served on a life sentence for serious violent felonies was nearly 20 years. Value: 20.0 years Date: 2010-01-01 Tags: life_sentences,parole,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Final Reviews Completed In FY20, 10,543 final reviews were completed by CAU Hearing Examiners. Value: 10543.0 reviews Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cases Considered by Type In FY20, the Board considered 21,790 cases for releases or future tentative parole months: 1,977 life sentenced cases, 13,458 guideline cases, and 6,355 short sentence cases. Tags: parole,operations,life_sentences Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Clemency Investigators Staffing Sixty-one (61) investigators work in the Clemency Division. Forty-four (44) investigators are assigned to the field and predominantly complete post sentence investigations and profiles for all offenders sentenced by Georgia courts. Nine (9) investigators are assigned to work within the prisons to conduct personal history statements on inmates during the diagnostic process. Value: 61.0 investigators Tags: staffing,operations,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] P.O.S.T. Certified Criminal Investigators The Board has eight (8) P.O.S.T. (Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council) certified criminal investigators who conduct face-to-face interviews of inmates serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole and interview all former offenders who are applying for restoration of civil and political rights, a pardon or a pardon with firearm restoration. Value: 8.0 investigators Tags: staffing,operations,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] District Operations Managers Staffing The district operations managers are assigned to the ten (10) Judicial Districts in the state of Georgia. Value: 10.0 districts Tags: staffing,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Inmate Population Approximately 50,000 Today, with an inmate population at approximately 50,000, the Board still consists of five voting members. Value: 50000.0 inmates Tags: demographics,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Prison Population in 1973 In 1973, the prison population rose to 9,000. Value: 9000.0 inmates Date: 1973-01-01 Tags: demographics,history Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Support Partners Volunteer Count The Victim Support Partners group consists of eleven (11) victim-volunteers. Value: 11.0 volunteers Tags: victims,programs,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Judicial Circuits Served by Victims Visitors' Days The Georgia Office of Victim Services has hosted Victims Visitors' Day events with 22 different judicial circuits since 2006. Value: 22.0 judicial circuits Tags: victims,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Administration FY2020 Budget The Board Administration program FY2020 budget was $2,602,328 and the AFY2020 budget was $2,259,905. Value: 2602328.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Clemency Decisions FY2020 Budget The Clemency Decisions program FY2020 budget was $15,096,450 and the AFY2020 budget was $14,735,856. Value: 15096450.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Services FY2020 Budget The Victim Services program FY2020 budget was $509,993 and the AFY2020 budget was $487,373. Value: 509993.0 dollars Tags: budget,victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] AFY2020 Federal Funds Budget The AFY2020 federal funds budget was $94,170. Value: 94170.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] AFY2020 Other Funds Budget The AFY2020 other funds budget was $55,511. Value: 55511.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Per Day of Incarceration FY2016 The cost per day of incarceration in FY2016 was $52.95. Value: 52.95 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Per Day of Parole Supervision FY2016 The cost per day of parole supervision in FY2016 was $3.54. Value: 3.54 dollars per day Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Per Day of Incarceration FY2017 The cost per day of incarceration in FY2017 was $53.76. Value: 53.76 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Per Day of Parole Supervision FY2017 The cost per day of parole supervision in FY2017 was $2.12. Value: 2.12 dollars per day Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Per Day of Incarceration FY2018 The cost per day of incarceration in FY2018 was $61.00. Value: 61.0 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Per Day of Parole Supervision FY2018 The cost per day of parole supervision in FY2018 was $2.11. Value: 2.11 dollars per day Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Per Day of Incarceration FY2019 The cost per day of incarceration in FY2019 was $61.73. Value: 61.73 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Per Day of Parole Supervision FY2019 The cost per day of parole supervision in FY2019 was $2.18. Value: 2.18 dollars per day Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2019 Cost Avoidance The FY2019 cost avoidance was $433 million. Value: 433000000.0 dollars Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2018 Cost Avoidance The FY2018 cost avoidance was $450 million. Value: 450000000.0 dollars Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2017 Cost Avoidance The FY2017 cost avoidance was $377 million. Value: 377000000.0 dollars Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2016 Cost Avoidance The FY2016 cost avoidance was $450 million. Value: 450000000.0 dollars Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Revocations FY2016 In FY2016, 2,505 parole revocations occurred. Value: 2505.0 revocations Tags: parole,revocations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Revocations FY2017 In FY2017, 2,681 parole revocations occurred. Value: 2681.0 revocations Tags: parole,revocations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Revocations FY2018 In FY2018, 2,525 parole revocations occurred. Value: 2525.0 revocations Tags: parole,revocations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Revocations FY2019 In FY2019, 2,720 parole revocations occurred. Value: 2720.0 revocations Tags: parole,revocations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Releases FY2016 In FY2016, 13,374 parole releases occurred. Value: 13374.0 releases Tags: parole,releases Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Releases FY2017 In FY2017, 10,468 parole releases occurred. Value: 10468.0 releases Tags: parole,releases Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Releases FY2018 In FY2018, 10,363 parole releases occurred. Value: 10363.0 releases Tags: parole,releases Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Releases FY2019 In FY2019, 9,455 parole releases occurred. Value: 9455.0 releases Tags: parole,releases Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] PIC Points Awarded FY2017 In FY2017, 23,958 PIC points were awarded. Value: 23958.0 PIC points Tags: parole,reentry,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] PIC Points Awarded FY2018 In FY2018, 35,839 PIC points were awarded. Value: 35839.0 PIC points Tags: parole,reentry,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] PIC Points Awarded FY2019 In FY2019, 37,012 PIC points were awarded. Value: 37012.0 PIC points Tags: parole,reentry,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Parole Completion Rate Georgia FY2016 The Georgia parole completion rate in FY2016 was approximately 70% based on the chart. Value: 70.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Parole Completion Rate Georgia FY2017 The Georgia parole completion rate in FY2017 was approximately 72% based on the chart. Value: 72.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Parole Completion Rate Georgia FY2018 The Georgia parole completion rate in FY2018 was approximately 73% based on the chart. Value: 73.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Parole Completion Rate Georgia FY2019 The Georgia parole completion rate in FY2019 was approximately 73% based on the chart. Value: 73.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Parole Completion Rate USA FY2016 The national parole completion rate in FY2016 was approximately 58% based on the chart. Value: 58.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Parole Completion Rate USA FY2017 The national parole completion rate in FY2017 was approximately 58% based on the chart. Value: 58.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Parole Completion Rate USA FY2018 The national parole completion rate in FY2018 was approximately 58% based on the chart. Value: 58.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Parole Completion Rate USA FY2019 The national parole completion rate in FY2019 was approximately 58% based on the chart. Value: 58.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Parole Completion Rate USA FY2020 The national parole completion rate in FY2020 was estimated to be approximately 60%. Value: 60.0 percent Tags: parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 LEGAL FACTS (20) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Life Sentence Parole Eligibility - Pre-1995 Offenses 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: life_sentences,parole,legal,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Parole Eligibility - 1995-2006 Offenses In 1995, offenders committing 'seven deadly sin' crimes became eligible for parole after serving 14 years. Tags: life_sentences,parole,legal,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Parole Eligibility - Post-July 2006 Offenses If the crime is committed after July 1, 2006, the offender is eligible for parole after serving 30 years. Tags: life_sentences,parole,legal,sentencing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Composition and Appointment 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. Board Members are full-time state employees. Tags: legal,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 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. Date: 1943-01-01 Tags: legal,history,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Expanded to Five Members in 1973 In 1973, as the prison population rose to 9,000, the Constitution was amended to increase the Board to five members. Date: 1973-01-01 Tags: legal,history,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] No Right to Parole in Georgia There is no right to parole or 'Liberty Interest' regarding parole in Georgia. Parole is not guaranteed for any offender. Tags: legal,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Sole Authority for Death Sentence Commutation 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. Tags: legal,death_penalty,clemency Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Notification Requirements 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,legal,parole 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 the county of conviction) and registered victims receive a 72-hour statutory notification that the offender is about to be paroled. (O.C.G.A. § 42-9-47) Tags: legal,parole,victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 90-Day Serious Violent Felony Notification The Board sends a 90-day notification regarding pending paroles for offenders convicted of a 'serious violent felony' as defined in O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1. The notification is sent a minimum of 90-days in advance of a clemency release for those offenses. Tags: legal,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] SB174 Commutation Provision 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). Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: legal,clemency,commutations,legislation Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Application Notification Law 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,legal,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Documents Protected from Public Disclosure Documents protected by Georgia law from public disclosure include 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,operations,data_gap Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Public Documents in Parole File Many documents in the parole file on the offender are public, including 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, 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,operations,transparency Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Definition 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), to include parole or probation. Tags: pardons,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole History in Georgia 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,history Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 1938 Commission Powers Expanded 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,history Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 1943 Legislation Creating the Board The General Assembly passed legislation and it was signed into law in February of 1943, creating the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as an independent agency to administer executive clemency. Tags: legal,history,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Checks and Balances in Georgia Criminal Justice 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: legal,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 POLICYS (27) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Three Board Members Required for Decision Three of the five board members must agree on a decision for parole to be granted. 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. Tags: life_sentences,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System Revisions Revisions to the Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System were completed in 2017. Updates included raising the crime severity level of certain conviction types and including 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,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GPEDS Electronic Case Management The process of preparing a case for consideration by the Board is completed electronically in GPEDS (Georgia Parole Evidence-based Data System). The Parole Board has eliminated the production of paper files and continues imaging remaining paper files. All parole eligible inmate cases in Georgia may be voted electronically by the Board. Tags: parole,policy,technology,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Performance Incentive Credit Program The Georgia Department of Corrections operates an inmate Performance Incentive Credit (PIC) program. By completing rehabilitative programming while incarcerated, state inmates can work toward an earlier possible parole release. The Parole Board determines which parole eligible inmates who have earned PIC may be allowed an earlier release on parole. Tags: parole,policy,reentry,programs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Application Requirements for Sex Offender Registry 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. Tags: pardons,policy,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Hearing Policy Parole hearings are not held. However, each offender entering the Georgia prison system is interviewed by parole staff. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Monthly Board Meetings Policy The Board conducts monthly Parole Board Meetings at which policy changes are considered and operational updates are provided. Offender cases are not discussed and parole decisions are not made at the monthly Board Meetings. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Tentative Parole Month Policy 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 TPM is not a release date or a final parole release decision. An inmate's TPM status is available on the agency's website. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Not Applied to Life Sentences Although the guidelines are not applied to life sentence reviews, the Board maintains a comprehensive parole file in each case and the members review each case thoroughly before voting to grant or deny parole. Tags: life_sentences,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Revocation Hearing Locations 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. Tags: parole,revocations,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Intermediate Sanctions for Parole Violations The appropriate recommendations and enforcement of intermediate sanctions, such as treatment referral, administrative hearings, electronic monitoring, 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,revocations,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] New Direction Recovery Program Description 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 who were not successful in community-based treatment and supervision. The Parole Board utilizes the program as an alternative to revocation for some offenders. Tags: reentry,programs,substance_abuse,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Offender Dialogue Program The Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) program provides an opportunity for victims of violent crime to have a safe, structured, one-on-one meeting with the offender who committed the crime. VOD can only be initiated by the victim. The offender must agree to participate and must acknowledge his/her role in the crime. Tags: victims,programs,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Support Partners Program Victim Support Partners (VSPs) is a statewide network of crime victims who are registered with the Georgia Office of Victim Services. This group consists of eleven (11) victim-volunteers who give their time to assist, guide, and comfort other crime victims during the post-conviction process. Tags: victims,programs,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims Visitors' Days Program Victims Visitors' Day (VVD) is a partnership between GOVS and District Attorneys' Victim Witness Assistance Programs throughout the state. VVD provides a unique opportunity for crime victims to meet face-to-face in a confidential setting to discuss their case with Parole Board members and leadership. Tags: victims,programs,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GA-V.I.P. Automated Information System The Georgia Victim Information Program (GA-V.I.P.) is a 24-hour automated information system which provides crime victims and their families with access to information about the offender. Upon registering, victims are issued a PIN (Personal Identification Number). Tags: victims,programs,policy,technology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Critical Analysis Unit Mission The mission of the Critical Analysis Unit (CAU) is to investigate, prepare and submit specialized parole eligible cases to the Board for consideration and to support the operations of the Clemency Division through comprehensive audits, analysis and continuous training and development. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] CAU Collaboration on Security Threat Groups The Critical Analysis Unit collaborates with the Georgia Department of Corrections regarding Security Threat Groups (STG), gang offenders, offenders with Immigration and Customs detainers and those offenders who are classified with medical requirements in order to provide Parole Board Members with critical case information prior to the parole decision. Tags: parole,operations,gangs,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Interstate Compact Membership The State Board of Pardons and Paroles, in FY20, was a member of the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS). ICAOS comprises all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Tags: parole,transfers,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GOVS Represents Three State Agencies The Georgia Office of Victim Services represents three state agencies: 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] Sworn Staff Training Requirements Sworn staff must complete a minimum of 20 hours annually which includes mandatory firearms requalification, use of deadly force and De-escalation and Community Policing training. Tags: 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. Tags: staffing,training,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Mandatory Ethics and Harassment Training Both sworn and non-sworn staff must complete Unlawful Harassment and Professionalism, and Ethics training each year as a part of their training hours and any other training as prescribed by law. Tags: staffing,training,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] District Operations Managers P.O.S.T. Training District operations managers are required to annually complete twenty (20) hours of P.O.S.T. training which includes weapons requalification. Tags: staffing,training,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board of Community Supervision Membership 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: operations,policy,leadership Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Brian Owens Board of Community Supervision Membership As Vice Chairman, Mr. Owens also serves on the Board of Community Supervision. Tags: operations,policy,leadership Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 TRENDS (7) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Releases Increased in FY2020 Parole releases increased during FY20 over the previous year. Meanwhile, prison admissions declined. The Parole Board released 10,429 offenders from prison through all forms of clemency, representing 974 more releases from the previous fiscal year. Tags: parole,releases,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Population Increased in FY2020 During Fiscal Year 2020, the population of offenders on parole under community supervision increased from 20,719 on July 1, 2019, to 21,069 on June 30, 2020. Tags: parole,demographics,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Revocations Decreased in FY2020 During FY20, the Board revoked 2,199 parole violators. The number revoked decreased by 521 from the previous fiscal year. Tags: parole,revocations,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average Time Served for Life Sentences Increasing The average time served on a life sentence for serious violent felonies has increased from less than 9 years in 1973 to 27 years in FY2020. Tags: life_sentences,parole,sentencing,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Applications Increasing There were 101 more pardon and restoration of rights applications received during FY2020 compared to the previous year. Tags: pardons,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] PIC Points Awarded Increasing PIC points awarded increased from 23,958 in FY17 to 39,374 in FY20. Tags: parole,reentry,programs,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Completion Rate Exceeds National Average Georgia's parole completion rate exceeds the national average annually. In FY2020, the parole success completion rate in Georgia was 73% while the national average was nearer 60%. Tags: parole,reentry,trends Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 FINDINGS (7) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Pandemic Operations Continuity As with other state agencies, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles successfully maintained operations in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic during the final quarter of FY20. Advanced teleworking schedules by all agency employees allowed for the Parole Board to continue making informed parole decisions. Tags: operations,policy,pandemic Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pandemic Clemency Release Strategy The Board reviewed cases of offenders serving for a non-violent offense who would be released from prison in six months, or before, after completing their prison sentence. The additional informed decisions were made in the interest of public safety. Tags: parole,releases,policy,pandemic Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Informed Decisions Through Notification Process Informed decisions are possible as a result of the Board's comprehensive notification process and its continued engagement of stakeholders. The agency is required to make statutory notifications, but the Board extends its notification process beyond those required by state law. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Scientific Data-Driven Parole Decisions The Board's decision process is evidence-based, scientific and data-driven. The Clemency Division continued preparing case files, providing the Board Members with all available case file information resulting in scientific, data-driven and evidence-based parole decisions. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Incarceration Beyond Punishment Phase Counterproductive Housing offenders unnecessarily by extending their incarceration beyond the time that they are ready to return to society as a contributing member is detrimental to public safety. Incarceration to inflict continued punishment is counterproductive. Tags: parole,policy,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Few Parolees Returned for New Crimes Of those who are unable to successfully complete parole supervision, few are being returned to prison as a result of convictions for new crimes. The Board revokes the parole of those who are affecting public safety. Tags: parole,revocations,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] CAU Audit Accuracy Results For FY20, CAU audits revealed 100% accuracy in rating on Risk Levels, 97% accuracy in rating on CSL (crime severity levels), and only six cases were required to be resubmitted to the Board following CAU audits. Tags: parole,operations,audits Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 CASE DETAILS (12) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Tina Stanley Pardon The State Board of Pardons and Paroles surprised guest speaker Tina Stanley with a pardon at the monthly board meeting in October of 2019. Stanley was forgiven for her past felony convictions. Stanley had just spoken to the five-member Parole Board about prison and parole and the opportunities she was provided. Tags: pardons,case_detail,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Terry Barnard Elected Chairman for Sixth Term In FY2020, Terry E. Barnard was elected chairman by his colleagues on the State Board of Pardons and Paroles for FY2021. At the June 2020 meeting of the Parole Board, Barnard was elected to a sixth term as chairman. Barnard will become the fourth longest serving chairman in the agency's seventy-eight year history after completing the term. Tags: operations,leadership Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn State Commission on Family Violence Appointment In August of 2018, Ms. Bunn was appointed by Governor Deal to the State Commission on Family Violence. The commission works to educate and raise awareness about family violence in Georgia and evaluates the need for additional state services. Tags: leadership,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Role Ms. Bunn also serves as a member of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, serving as the Vice Chairman of the Victims Compensation Board. Tags: leadership,operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Brian Owens Career Background The former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections began his career as a parole officer in 1993. On January 8, 2009, Mr. Owens was sworn in as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections by Governor Sonny Perdue. He was reappointed Commissioner by Governor Deal in January of 2011. Tags: leadership,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Terry Barnard Legislative Background Mr. Barnard, a former State Representative, served nearly sixteen years in the Georgia House of Representatives. In 1995-1996, Mr. Barnard guided through the Georgia House the framework for the State Sex Offender Registry and Sexual Offender Registration Review Board. Tags: leadership,legislation,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] James Mills Legislative Background The former State Representative served nineteen years in the legislature. During his legislative service, Mr. Mills sponsored key legislation, including the amendment that placed 'IN GOD WE TRUST' on the Georgia state flag and he passed 'proof of citizenship when registering to vote' legislation. He also helped to pass the Georgia Mortgage Fraud Law and the 'Option of Adoption' legislation. Tags: leadership,legislation,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] David Herring Career Background Mr. Herring joined the Georgia Department of Public Safety in 1994 as a state trooper and has served the state of Georgia for over twenty-five years. During his tenure, Mr. Herring served as team security for the University of Georgia Football Program, member of the State of Georgia S.W.A.T. Team and most recently as a Lt. Colonel managing security details for the offices of Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House and Chief Justice. Tags: leadership,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Christopher Barnett Career Background Director Barnett joined the Georgia Parole Board in 2003 as a parole officer in the Marietta Parole District. Promotions to senior parole officer, assistant chief parole officer, field operations officer, senior field operations officer and statewide program manager followed. In May of 2013, he was promoted to regional director, supervising all operations and parole districts within the Northeast Region. Tags: leadership,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Rita Rocker Career Background Ms. Rocker began her career in 1989 as an accounting clerk with the Engineering Unit of the Georgia Department of Corrections. In 1997, Ms. Rocker transferred to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as an operations auditor. In 2010, she was promoted to Director of Government Relations. Tags: leadership,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn Career Background Ms. Bunn started her career with the state of Georgia in 1997, as an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Section for the Georgia Department of Law. She handled hundreds of cases involving the Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in state and federal courts. In July of 2013, Ms. Bunn was appointed by Governor Deal to serve as the Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC). Tags: leadership,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Members Appointed by Governor Deal Brian Owens was appointed to the Board on February 1, 2015, by Governor Nathan Deal. James W. Mills was appointed to the Board by Governor Nathan Deal and was sworn in November 14, 2011. Jacqueline Bunn was appointed to complete an unexpired term on the State Board of Pardons and Paroles by Governor Deal, on July 1, 2016. David J. Herring was appointed to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles on August 1, 2018, by Governor Deal. Tags: leadership,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 QUOTES (5) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Chairman Barnard Quote on Parole Success This is why the parole completion rate in Georgia exceeds the national average annually. In FY 2020, the parole success completion rate in Georgia was 73% while the national average was nearer 60%. Of those who are unable to successfully complete parole supervision, few are being returned to prison as a result of convictions for new crimes. The Board revokes the parole of those who are affecting public safety. Tags: parole,reentry,quote Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chairman Barnard Quote on Incarceration Housing offenders unnecessarily by extending their incarceration beyond the time that they are ready to return to society as a contributing member is detrimental to public safety. Incarceration to inflict continued punishment is counterproductive. Tags: parole,policy,quote Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Barnett Quote on FY2020 However, through all of the change, the operational team of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles never lost sight of its critical core mission: Public safety through informed executive clemency decision making. Tags: operations,quote,leadership Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Barnett Quote on Enhanced Operations Despite a global pandemic and budget reductions, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles is one of the few entities in Georgia that enhanced operations and expanded agency capacity to meet the demands of the State, while ensuring public safety for all Georgia citizens. Tags: operations,quote,leadership,pandemic Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Barnett Quote on Parole Releases In FY20, parole releases increased over the previous year, while the prison population decreased. The number of offenders serving parole in the community increased slightly. These are great indicators of an effective criminal justice system. When fewer individuals are under the umbrella of the criminal justice system, all Georgians benefit. Tags: parole,releases,quote,leadership Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 METHODOLOGY NOTES (7) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System Description The Board's Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System is applied to cases excluding offenders serving life. 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. Tags: parole,methodology,operations 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 FY20 cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia ($61.73) compared to the community supervision cost per day ($2.19). Tags: budget,methodology,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Completion Rate Comparison Source National figures for parole completion rates are from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Tags: parole,methodology,data_source Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Information Considered in Parole Decisions The Board considers the following information when determining if an eligible inmate receives parole: aggravating circumstances, victim impact statements, prosecutor/judicial statements, legal investigations including details and 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,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Process Pre-Decision Steps The parole process pre-decision includes: conviction sentence computed by DOC Offender Administration sent to the Board; case initialized with Parole Eligibility Date (PED) set and legal investigations ordered; parole investigator solicits initial DA input; secondary solicitation notifications sent to DAs and judges 6 months before PED for the most serious violent and sexual offenders; parole eligibility date per OCGA 42.9.45(b) and 42.9.46(1/3); hearing examiner prepares case for board consideration; and board consideration. Tags: parole,methodology,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Process Post-Decision Steps The parole process post-decision includes: tentative parole month established; inmate notified first per Board rules; 90-day notification to DA if a 'Serious Violent Felony'; victims notified by Office of Victim Services; final review of institutional conduct, program completion, new victim, DA, judge or stakeholder input; victims and DA case reviews verifying notification; 72-hour notification pending release per OCGA 42.9.41 and OCGA 42.9.44(a); and release. Tags: parole,methodology,operations 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. A pardon does not expunge, remove or erase crimes from a person's criminal record. A pardon is an order of official forgiveness. Tags: pardons,methodology,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 DATASETS (15) ---------------------------------------- # FY16-FY20 Parole Releases Number of parole releases by fiscal year from FY2016 through FY2020. Fiscal Year Parole Releases ------------------------------ FY16 13374 FY17 10468 FY18 10363 FY19 9455 FY20 10429 # FY16-FY20 Parole Revocations Number of parole revocations by fiscal year from FY2016 through FY2020. Fiscal Year Parole Revocations --------------------------------- FY16 2505 FY17 2681 FY18 2525 FY19 2720 FY20 2199 # FY17-FY20 PIC Points Awarded Number of Performance Incentive Credit (PIC) points awarded by fiscal year from FY2017 through FY2020. Fiscal Year PIC Points Awarded --------------------------------- FY17 23958 FY18 35839 FY19 37012 FY20 39374 # FY16-FY20 Cost Per Day Comparison Cost per day of incarceration versus cost per day of parole supervision by fiscal year from FY2016 through FY2020. Fiscal Year Incarceration Cost Per Day Parole Supervision Cost Per Day -------------------------------------------------------------------------- FY16 52.95 3.54 FY17 53.76 2.12 FY18 61 2.11 FY19 61.73 2.18 FY20 61.73 2.19 # FY16-FY20 Cost Avoidance Annual cost avoidance by fiscal year from FY2016 through FY2020. Fiscal Year Cost Avoidance ----------------------------- FY16 450000000 FY17 377000000 FY18 450000000 FY19 433000000 FY20 399000000 # FY16-FY20 Parole Completion Rates Parole completion rates for Georgia and the United States by fiscal year from FY2016 through FY2020. National figures from Bureau of Justice Statistics. Fiscal Year Georgia Completion Rate USA Completion Rate ----------------------------------------------------------- FY16 70 58 FY17 72 58 FY18 73 58 FY19 73 58 FY20 73 60 # Life Sentence Time Served for Serious Violent Felonies Average time served in years for life-sentenced inmates convicted of serious violent felonies at various points in time. Year Average Time Served --------------------------- 1973 9 2000 15 2010 20 2020 27 # FY2020 Expenditures by Category Total expenditures for FY2020 broken down by expenditure category. Category Amount Percentage of Total ---------------------------------------------------- Personal Services 15265387 90.04 Regular Operating 450591 2.66 Computer Charges 139341 0.82 Real Estate Rental 425980 2.51 Telecommunications 153707 0.91 Contracts 341561 2.01 County Jail Subsidy 178230 1.05 # FY2020 Expenditures by Program Total expenditures for FY2020 broken down by program. Program Amount Percentage of Total ----------------------------------------------------- Board Administration 2130398 12.57 Clemency Decisions 14226775 83.91 Victim Services 597624 3.52 # FY2020 Expenditures by Fund Type Total expenditures for FY2020 broken down by fund type. Fund Type Amount --------------------- Federal 94170 Other 55510 State 16805117 # FY2020 and AFY2020 Appropriations by Program State funds appropriations by program for FY2020 and AFY2020. Program FY2020 Budget AFY2020 Budget ----------------------------------------------------- Board Administration 2602328 2259905 Clemency Decisions 15096450 14735856 Victim Services 509993 487373 # FY2020 Staff Demographics by Race/Ethnicity Staff count by race/ethnicity for FY2020. Race/Ethnicity Count ----------------------- Asian 2 Black 102 White 66 # FY2020 Staff Demographics by Age Group Staff count by age group for FY2020. Age Group Count ------------------ 20-29 11 30-39 34 40-49 50 50-59 56 60 Plus 19 # FY2020 Pardon Administration Unit Statistics Pardon and restoration of rights application statistics for FY2020. Category Count ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applications received (all types) 763 Pardons granted without firearms restored 157 Pardons granted with firearms restored 166 Restorations of civil and political rights 68 Restorations of civil and political rights with firearms restored 11 Total applications granted (including applications filed in previous year) 402 # FY2020 Clemency Actions Summary of clemency actions taken during FY2020. Action Type Count ---------------------------------------------------------- Parole Certificates 7014 Out-of-State Parole Orders 330 Conditional Transfers 829 Out-of-State Conditional Transfers 219 Supervised Reprieves 981 Out-of-State Supervised Reprieves 8 Commutations 918 Medical Reprieves 41 Out-of-State ICE Orders 89 Total Prison Releases by Parole 10429 Total Discharges from Parole 7130 Total Guidelines Decisions 13458 Life Sentence Cases Denied Parole 1786 Life Sentence Cases Granted Parole 223 Total Life Sentence Case Decisions 2009 Restoration of Civil and Political Rights Granted 79 Pardon Grants 323 Total Pardons & Restorations Granted 402 KEY ENTITIES (36) ---------------------------------------- - 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 Kemp [person]: Governor of Georgia who proposed $600 million in emergency spending over 18 months for prison reform in January 2025. (aka: Governor Kemp) - 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 Barnett [person]: Executive Director of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, appointed August 2015. Joined the Georgia Parole Board in 2003 as a parole officer in the Marietta Parole District. (aka: Chris Barnett, Christopher L. Barnett, Executive Director Barnett) - Clemency Division [organization]: The division of the Parole Board responsible for preparing cases for Board consideration, conducting investigations, and managing the parole consideration process. - Criminal Justice Coordinating Council [organization]: Georgia state agency administering the Crime Victims Compensation Program (aka: CJCC) - Critical Analysis Unit [program]: Specialized unit within the Clemency Division responsible for investigating and preparing specialized parole cases, conducting audits, and analyzing crime trends. Staffed 24/7. (aka: CAU) - 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. - Field Services Division [organization]: The division of the Parole Board that manages processes related to Parole Violations, Commutations, and the Interstate Compact. Comprises four units: Scanning and Imaging Unit, Warrant/GCIC Entry Unit, Violations/Commutations Unit, and Interstate Compact Unit. - Georgia Department of Community Supervision [organization]: Georgia agency that supervises people on probation and parole, maintains the THOR housing directory (aka: DCS) - 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 Parole Evidence-based Data System [program]: Electronic case management system used by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles for preparing cases for consideration by the Board. Allows Board Members to access offender case material and make clemency decisions electronically. (aka: GPEDS, Clemency Online Navigation System) - Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles [organization]: Georgia state agency responsible for parole decisions - Georgia Victim Information Program [program]: 24-hour automated information system providing registered crime victims with access to offender status information. (aka: GA-V.I.P.) - 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) - Performance Incentive Credit Program [program]: GDC program allowing inmates to earn earlier possible parole release by completing rehabilitative programming. Each PIC point equals one month advance of Tentative Parole Month. Board has discretion to approve or deny earned PIC. (aka: PIC, PIC Program) - 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. - 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) - 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 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. - Tina Stanley [person]: Former offender who was surprised with a pardon at the monthly board meeting in October 2019. Had spoken to the Parole Board about prison, parole, addiction, and recovery. - Treutlen Probation Detention Center [facility]: Probation detention center housing the New Direction Recovery Program for parolees. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [organization]: Federal agency to which foreign national offenders are released for deportation. (aka: ICE) - 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. - Victims Visitors' Day [program]: Program where Board Members and staff travel to various cities in Georgia to address face-to-face the needs of victims and their families. Since 2006, the Board has met with over 970 crime victims and their families. SOURCES (1) ---------------------------------------- - State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024, State Board of Pardons and Paroles by State Board of Pardons and Paroles (2024-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://pap.georgia.gov