GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: BOPP Annual Report FY2021 — Georgia Parole Board ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-08-21 21:25:17 EDT Research Date: 2026-08-13 Topic: Parole JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/bopp-annual-report-fy2021-georgia-parole-board/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY2021 Annual Report documents a 73% parole success rate, well above the estimated national average of 60%, with 8,634 offenders released from prison during the fiscal year. The Board made 59,354 clemency votes across 16,255 inmate cases and reported an annual cost avoidance of more than $404 million due to parole supervision versus incarceration. The report highlights pandemic adaptations including virtual Board meetings, continued victim services delivery, and a new Board member appointment by Governor Kemp. STATISTICS (69) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] FY21 total clemency votes by Board Members In Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21), the Board Members made a total of 59,354 votes. This total represents all Board decisions requiring a vote and multiple decisions for each offender case during the fiscal year. Value: 59354.0 votes Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 inmate cases considered for parole The total number of individual inmate cases (eligible offenders) considered during the fiscal year was 16,255. Value: 16255.0 cases Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 parole success rate in Georgia Georgia's percentage of parolees successfully completing parole in FY21 was 73%. The national average was estimated to be approximately 60%. Value: 73.0 percent (vs. 60 estimated national average) Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 offenders released from prison by parole The Board released from prison a total of 8,634 offenders in FY21. This total represented 1,795 fewer parole board initiated releases from the previous fiscal year. Value: 8634.0 offenders (vs. 1795 fewer than previous fiscal year) Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] FY21 annual cost avoidance from parole supervision The annual estimated cost avoidance to the state, due to offenders being under parole supervision as opposed to housing them in a state prison, was more than $404,993,000 for FY21. Value: 404993000.0 dollars Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 cost per day incarceration vs parole supervision FY21 cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia was $62.23 compared to community supervision cost per day of $1.80. Value: 62.23 dollars per day (vs. 1.8 community supervision cost per day) Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 offender files initiated for parole consideration In FY21, there were 11,767 offender files initiated for consideration by the Clemency Division. Value: 11767.0 files Tags: operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 GPEDS notifications generated In FY21, 28,009 notifications (all types) were generated by GPEDS (Georgia Parole Evidence-based Data System). Value: 28009.0 notifications Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 preconditions to parole imposed There were 3,561 preconditions to parole imposed by the Board on inmates during the fiscal year. Value: 3561.0 preconditions Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 PIC points granted to inmates In FY21, the Parole Board Members granted 36,257 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: 36257.0 PIC points Tags: parole,operations,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 serious felony case notifications to judges and prosecutors In FY21, 1,876 case notifications or second solicitations/notifications were sent to judges and prosecutors regarding offenders convicted of serious felonies. Value: 1876.0 notifications Tags: operations,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 90-day notifications sent in serious violent felony cases In FY21, the Board sent 90-day notifications in 218 cases regarding serious violent felonies being considered for parole release. Value: 218.0 cases Tags: legal,operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 life sentence parole decisions In FY21, the Board made 1,772 life sentence case decisions: 225 life sentence cases granted and 1,547 life sentence cases denied. Value: 1772.0 cases Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 pardon and restoration applications received In FY21, 1,391 pardon and restoration of rights applications were received and 530 were granted (all types). There were 628 more applications received during the fiscal year compared to the previous year. Value: 1391.0 applications (vs. 628 more than previous year) Tags: legal,operations,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 pardons granted without firearms restored In FY21, 138 pardons were granted without firearms being restored. Value: 138.0 pardons Tags: legal,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 pardons granted with firearms restored In FY21, 297 pardons were granted with firearms being restored. Value: 297.0 pardons Tags: legal,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 restorations of civil and political rights In FY21, 80 restorations of civil and political rights were granted, and 15 restorations of civil and political rights with firearms restored were granted. Value: 80.0 restorations Tags: legal,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 pardon notifications to district attorneys During FY21, the Parole Board sent 860 notifications to district attorneys regarding ex-offenders applying for pardons. Value: 860.0 notifications Tags: legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 clemency investigations completed In FY21, the clemency investigators completed 22,413 investigations for the Parole Board. Value: 22413.0 investigations Tags: operations,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 parole certificates issued In FY21, the Board issued 6,199 parole certificates. Value: 6199.0 certificates Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 out-of-state parole orders In FY21, the Board issued 368 out-of-state parole orders. Value: 368.0 orders Tags: parole,operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 conditional transfers In FY21, the Board issued 981 conditional transfers and 174 out-of-state conditional transfers. Value: 981.0 transfers Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 supervised reprieves In FY21, the Board issued 804 supervised reprieves and 10 out-of-state supervised reprieves. Value: 804.0 reprieves Tags: legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 medical reprieves In FY21, the Board granted 53 medical reprieves. Value: 53.0 reprieves Tags: medical,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 out-of-state ICE orders In FY21, the Board issued 45 out-of-state ICE orders. Value: 45.0 orders Tags: operations,transfers Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 total discharges from parole In FY21, total discharges from parole were 7,507. Value: 7507.0 discharges Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 total guidelines decisions In FY21, the Board made 11,580 total guidelines decisions. Value: 11580.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 final reviews completed by CAU hearing examiners In FY21, 10,160 final reviews were completed by CAU hearing examiners. Value: 10160.0 reviews Tags: operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 CAU audit accuracy rates For FY21, CAU audits revealed 98.9% accuracy in rating on Risk Levels and 96.8% accuracy in rating on CSL (crime severity levels). 11 cases were required to be resubmitted to the Board following CAU audits. Value: 98.9 percent (vs. 96.8 CSL accuracy rate) Tags: operations,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 cumulative offenders under parole supervision The cumulative number of offenders under parole supervision during the fiscal year was 30,166. Value: 30166.0 offenders Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 parole revocations During FY21, the Board revoked 2,373 parole violators returning offenders to prison to serve their sentences in confinement. The number revoked increased by 174 from the previous fiscal year. Value: 2373.0 revocations (vs. 174 increase from previous fiscal year) Tags: parole,operations,violence Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 technical violation revocation rate under 1% Of the FY21 total number of revocations, less than 1% of those revoked were revoked based on 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,operations,drugs Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 parole revocation warrants issued In FY21, a total of 6,490 warrants were issued by the Parole Board. Value: 6490.0 warrants Tags: operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 warrants entered into GCIC/NCIC system In FY21, the GCIC Unit entered 3,624 warrants into the GCIC/NCIC system. Value: 3624.0 warrants Tags: operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 final revocation hearings conducted Parole Board Members conducted 352 final revocation hearings during FY21. Value: 352.0 hearings Tags: legal,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 SB174 commutation cases considered During FY 2021, the Parole Board considered 1,287 cases for commutation under SB174 and commuted 33 cases that met the strict criteria of the Board. Value: 1287.0 cases (vs. 33 cases commuted) Tags: legal,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 offenders released to out-of-state supervision During FY21, the Interstate Compact Unit released 348 offenders to out-of-state supervision. Value: 348.0 offenders Tags: transfers,parole,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, 2021, there were 2,323 Georgia offenders under active parole supervision in Compact states and 1,430 other Compact state offenders on parole supervision in Georgia. Value: 2323.0 offenders (vs. 1430 other Compact state offenders in Georgia) Date: 2021-06-30 Tags: transfers,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 foreign national offenders released to ICE Via the ICE Rapid REPAT (Removal of Eligible Parolees Accepted for Transfer) Program, 89 foreign national offenders were released to ICE for deportation at an estimated cost avoidance of $4,999,308.00. Value: 89.0 offenders Tags: transfers,operations,budget Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 documents scanned by Scanning and Imaging Unit During FY21, 24,047 documents were scanned into the case management systems (Portal, GPEDS and TRIM system) utilized by the Board to make parole decisions. Value: 24047.0 documents Tags: operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 active lifer files scanned and archived files imaged There were 301 active lifer offender parole files scanned and 2,226 archived files imaged during the fiscal year. There are approximately 153,921 archived files remaining to be imaged. Value: 301.0 files (vs. 2226 archived files imaged) Tags: operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 New Direction Recovery Program referrals and graduations For FY21, 57 parolees were referred to the New Direction Recovery Program. As of June 30, 2021, 43 parolees had graduated from the program during the fiscal year and were returned to parole supervision. Value: 57.0 parolees referred (vs. 43 parolees graduated) Tags: drugs,mental_health,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 victim phone calls handled by staff In FY21, 7,640 phone calls from victims were handled by staff of the Georgia Office of Victim Services. Value: 7640.0 phone calls Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 outgoing correspondence to victims In FY21, 18,052 outgoing correspondences were sent to victims in response to concerns. Value: 18052.0 correspondences Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 correspondence received from victims In FY21, 6,282 correspondences were received from victims and filed with the office. Value: 6282.0 correspondences Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] FY21 additional crime victims registered for notifications The Georgia Office of Victim Services registered more than 1,500 additional crime victims in FY21 to receive parole and victim service notifications regarding offenders. Value: 1500.0 victims Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 new GA-V.I.P. registrants and phone calls For FY21, there were 1,562 new GA-V.I.P. registrants and 4,900 phone calls from victims were logged into the system. The system made 920 calls to victims. Value: 1562.0 registrants (vs. 4900 phone calls logged) Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 full-time employees at Parole Board The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 171 full-time employees in FY21: 143 female and 28 male. Value: 171.0 employees Tags: staffing,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 staff by race/ethnicity FY21 staff by race/ethnicity: Asian 2, Black 103, White 66. Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 staff by age groups FY21 staff by age groups: 20-29: 15; 30-39: 31; 40-49: 50; 50-59: 53; 60 Plus: 22. Tags: staffing,demographics Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 training hours taken by staff FY21 training hours taken by staff: Sworn staff 2,306 hours; Non-sworn staff 901 hours. Training hours delivered by Parole Training Office: 218. Value: 2306.0 hours (vs. 901 non-sworn staff hours) Tags: staffing,operations,training Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 total expenditures Total expenditures for FY21 were $17,203,983. Value: 17203983.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 personal services expenditures FY21 personal services expenditures were $14,306,211, representing 83.16% of total expenditures. Value: 14306211.0 dollars Tags: budget,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 regular operating expenses FY21 regular operating expenses were $530,222. Value: 530222.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 motor vehicle expenditures FY21 motor vehicle expenditures were $406,038. Value: 406038.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 contracts expenditures FY21 contracts expenditures were $1,070,433. Value: 1070433.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 real estate rentals expenditures FY21 real estate rentals expenditures were $419,926. Value: 419926.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 computer charges expenditures FY21 computer charges expenditures were $237,675. Value: 237675.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 telecommunications expenditures FY21 telecommunications expenditures were $150,452. Value: 150452.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 county jail subsidy expenditures FY21 county jail subsidy expenditures were $77,505. Value: 77505.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 equipment expenditures FY21 equipment expenditures were $5,521. Value: 5521.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 expenditures by fund type FY21 expenditures by fund type: State Funds $17,039,373; Federal Funds $102,717; Other Funds $61,893; Total Funds $17,203,983. Value: 17039373.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 budget by program FY21 budget and expenditures by program: Board Administration budget $2,139,936, expenditures $2,097,649 (12.39% of total budget); Clemency Decisions budget $14,492,670, expenditures $14,484,169 (83.88%); Victim Services budget $645,351, expenditures $622,165 (3.73%). Total funds budget $17,277,957, expenditures $17,203,983. Value: 17277957.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 61 investigators work in Clemency Division Sixty-one (61) investigators work in the Clemency Division. Forty-three (43) 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] Nine P.O.S.T. certified criminal investigators The Board has nine (9) 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: 9.0 investigators Tags: staffing,operations,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 case initialization breakdown In FY21, the Board considered 16,255 cases for releases or future tentative parole months: 1,772 life sentenced cases, 11,580 guideline cases, and 2,903 short sentence cases. Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Georgia 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,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims Visitors' Days hosted 31 events since 2006 Since the program's beginning in 2006, the Georgia Office of Victim Services has hosted 31 separate Victims Visitors' Days events with 22 different judicial circuits, serving 4,135 crime victims including family members. Value: 31.0 events (vs. 22 judicial circuits) Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims Visitors' Days served 4,135 crime victims Since the program's beginning in 2006, Victims Visitors' Days has served 4,135 crime victims including family members. Value: 4135.0 victims Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 TRENDS (7) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] FY21 parole releases trend FY17-FY21 Parole releases decreased during FY21, as did prison admissions. Parole releases by fiscal year: FY17: 10,468; FY18: 10,363; FY19: 10,429; FY20: 9,455; FY21: 8,634. Tags: parole,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 average time served for life-sentenced serious violent felons In FY 2021, the average time served on a life sentence for serious violent felonies was 32 years. In 1973, life-sentenced inmates convicted of serious violent felonies served less than nine years in prison, on average. By the year 2000, the average had risen to more than 15 years. By 2010, the average time served was nearly 20 years. Tags: parole,legal,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 parole population decrease During Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21), the population of offenders on parole under community supervision decreased from 21,069 on July 1, 2020, to 19,828 on June 30, 2021. Tags: parole,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole revocations trend FY17-FY21 Parole revocations by fiscal year: FY17: 2,681; FY18: 2,525; FY19: 2,720; FY20: 2,199; FY21: 2,373. Tags: parole,operations,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [estimated] Cost avoidance trend FY17-FY21 Annual cost avoidance to the prison system as a result of offenders serving their sentence on parole: FY21: more than $404 million; FY20: $399 million; FY19: $433 million; FY18: $450 million; FY17: $377 million. Tags: budget,parole,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost per day incarceration vs parole trend FY17-FY21 Cost per day for incarceration vs parole supervision: FY17: $2.12 vs $53.76; FY18: $2.11 vs $61.00; FY19: $2.18 vs $61.73; FY20: $2.19 vs $61.73; FY21: $1.80 vs $62.23. Tags: budget,parole,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Parole completion rates trend FY17-FY21 Parole completion rates: Georgia FY17-FY21 ranged from approximately 68% to 73%, while the U.S. average ranged from approximately 50% to 60% (estimated). Georgia's FY21 rate was 73%. Tags: parole,reentry,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 FINDINGS (31) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Victim Offender Dialogue paused during FY21 In FY21, Victim Offender Dialogue sessions were paused due to the pandemic. Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Support Partners program paused during FY21 The Victim Support Partners (VSPs) program, a statewide network of eleven (11) victim-volunteers, was paused during FY21 because of the pandemic. Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims Visitors' Days paused during FY21 Due to the pandemic, Victims Visitors' Days (VVD) was paused for the fiscal year. Since the program's beginning in 2006, the Georgia Office of Victim Services has hosted 31 separate events with 22 different judicial circuits, serving 4,135 crime victims including family members. Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Terry Barnard elected chairman for seventh term During FY 2021, the five-member Parole Board elected FY22 leadership. Terry Barnard was again elected by his colleagues to serve as chairman. He is now serving his seventh one-year term as chairman and upon completion he will become the third longest serving chair in Georgia Parole Board history. Chairman Barnard has been a Board Member since 2010 having received two full-term appointments. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn elected vice chair Jacqueline Bunn was elected to serve as vice chair of the Parole Board. Bunn is the first female to serve in a Board leadership role since 2010. Bunn was appointed to the Board in 2016, receiving a full appointment later that year. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Meg Heap appointed to Parole Board In FY21, Governor Brian Kemp made his first appointment to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Former Chatham County District Attorney Meg Heap was appointed to the five-member Parole Board. Heap's appointment was effective January 19, 2021. Heap was sworn-in by Governor Kemp on February 2, 2021, to serve a seven-year term on the Parole Board. Date: 2021-01-19 Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board leadership met with LaGrange community leaders Parole Board leadership met with LaGrange community leaders to include Mayor Jim Thornton, Police Chief Lou Dekmar and District Attorney Herb Cranford to discuss ways to partner to enhance public safety. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Members engaged with inmates at Metro Reentry Facility and Atlanta Transitional Center Although prison access was limited in FY21, the offender population was engaged as Board Members and staff spoke with inmates at the Metro Reentry Facility and the Atlanta Transitional Center. Tags: operations,reentry,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia Parole Board participated in APAI international discussion During FY21, the Georgia Parole Board was asked to participate with an international group to discuss parole successes and challenges. Executive Director of Parole Chris Barnett participated in the Association of Paroling Authorities International (APAI) group discussion. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Georgia Parole Board recognized as leading paroling authority During FY21, the Georgia Parole Board was recognized as a leading paroling authority in the nation. The 73% parole success rate in Georgia is among national leaders in parole and remains well above the national parole success rate average. Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] National Crime Victims' Rights Week 40th anniversary celebrated The State Board of Pardons and Paroles celebrated the 40th anniversary of National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW), April 18-24, 2021, with several events. The Georgia Office of Victim Services conducted victim-centered events providing information about available services to crime victims. Date: 2021-04-18 Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GOVS participated in Crime Victims Homicide Memorial event The Georgia Office of Victim Services participated in a Crime Victims Homicide Memorial event sponsored by the Crime Victims Advocacy Council (CVAC) in Decatur. The event included a victim's rights panel discussion and a candlelight vigil. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GOVS presented to MADD of Georgia The State Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Georgia Office of Victim Services presented information to MADD of Georgia during National Crime Victims' Rights Week. The presentation was a live online event. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GOVS presented to Association of Paroling Authorities International Conference The office presented to an international group sharing Georgia victim service information with members of the Association of Paroling Authorities International Conference during FY21. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GOVS presented to Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia Victim service information was also delivered to victims through a presentation to the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia (PAC). Victim-Witness Assistance offices across Georgia will be able to use the information provided through the online presentation made by the Georgia Office of Victim Services to support and educate crime victims locally. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Domestic violence victims received donations in June Domestic Violence victims received donations in June during FY21. Date: 2021-06-01 Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chairman's letter on parole success rate During FY21, three out of four offenders successfully completed parole in Georgia. The 73% parole success rate in Georgia is among national leaders in parole and remains well above the national parole success rate average. Tags: parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director Chris Barnett appointed August 2015 Executive Director Christopher Barnett was appointed to the position in August of 2015 after serving as Interim Director and guiding the Board through a significant reorganization as parole supervision transitioned to the new Department of Community Supervision. Since August of 2020, Executive Director Barnett has directed the day-to-day operations of the agency's Clemency Division. Date: 2015-08-01 Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Rita Rocker appointed Deputy Executive Director June 2015 Rita Rocker was appointed Deputy Executive Director on June 1, 2015. She has served as the Director of the Georgia Office of Victim Services since September of 2020. Date: 2015-06-01 Tags: operations,staffing,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Brian Owens appointed to Board February 2015 Brian Owens was appointed to the Board on February 1, 2015, by Governor Nathan Deal. He previously served three one-year terms as Vice Chairman of the Board. The former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections began his career as a parole officer in 1993. Date: 2015-02-01 Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] David Herring appointed to Board August 2018 David J. Herring was appointed to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles on August 1, 2018, by Governor Deal. 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-six years. Date: 2018-08-01 Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn appointed to Board July 2016 Jacqueline Bunn was appointed to complete an unexpired term on the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in July of 2016, by Governor Deal. She was reappointed to a full seven-year term in December of 2016. Date: 2016-07-01 Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Terry Barnard Board Member since 2010 Chairman Barnard has been a Board Member since 2010 having received two full-term appointments. Mr. Barnard, a former State Representative, served nearly sixteen years in the Georgia House of Representatives. Date: 2010-01-01 Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Meg Heap career background Meg Heap is the former District Attorney for Georgia's Eastern Judicial Circuit. Mrs. Heap began her career as a Volunteer Coordinator and Victim Advocate with the Victim-Witness Assistance Program in the Savannah District Attorney's Office. In 2012, Mrs. Heap was elected District Attorney for the Eastern Judicial Circuit (Chatham County) where she served two terms. Mrs. Heap is the immediate past president of the District Attorneys' Association of Georgia and was named the 2019 District Attorney of the Year. Tags: operations,staffing,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Bunn received GABWA Barbara A. Harris Award in 2021 In 2021, Ms. Bunn received the GABWA Foundation's Barbara A. Harris Award for Service to the Community. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Bunn received Marquis Who's Who Lifetime Achievement Award In FY21, Ms. Bunn received the Marquis Who's Who 'Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.' Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Herring received Governor's Public Safety Award for Heroism in 2001 Mr. Herring received the Governor's Public Safety Award for Heroism in 2001 and was recognized by the Gainesville Kiwanis Club as Trooper of the Year in 2004. Date: 2001-01-01 Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Owens sworn in as GDC Commissioner January 2009 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. Date: 2009-01-08 Tags: operations,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Barnard and clemency staff attended Georgia Prison Wardens' Association Conference Parole Board Chairman Terry Barnard and clemency staff attended the Georgia Prison Wardens' Association Conference in FY21. Tags: operations,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Executive Director met with newly elected prosecutors in early 2021 Early in 2021, Executive Director Chris Barnett and staff began meeting with new prosecutors, elected to office in FY21. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board continued engagement with law enforcement partners The Parole Board continued engagement with the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Georgia Sheriffs' Association, the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia and many others during FY21. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 POLICYS (52) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] FY21 one-time salary supplement FY21 budget highlights included funds to provide a one-time $1,000 salary supplement to full-time state employees with salaries less than $80,000. Tags: budget,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY21 vehicle purchase funding FY21 budget highlights included one-time funds to purchase and equip 16 vehicles to replace leased vehicles. Tags: budget,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Monthly Parole Board meetings went virtual in FY21 In FY21, the monthly Parole Board meetings went virtual. Utilizing Facebook as the platform the agency began live streaming the meetings allowing increased access to the agency's activities in real time. The Board conducted its first restriction-free meeting in June. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Rules amended to raise crime severity levels In FY21, the Board amended two Board Rules. The amendments included raising the crime severity levels for certain crimes. As of July 2021, the Board has increased the crime severity level for a conviction of the following attempted offenses: attempted aggravated child molestation, attempted armed robbery, attempted kidnapping, attempted aggravated sexual battery and attempted aggravated sodomy, from crime severity level VII to crime severity level VIII. Date: 2021-07-01 Tags: policy,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] New agency vision statement introduced in FY21 In FY21, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles introduced a new vision statement. Changes were finalized to the agency vision statement in January of 2021. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Sex offender risk assessment instrument developed for Georgia The Chairman's letter notes the sex offender risk assessment instrument is an additional tool that gives the Board more information when determining possible parole for the offender. It is a tool developed for Georgia and another advancement that puts the Board among the leading paroling authorities nationwide. Tags: policy,operations,mental_health 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: policy,parole,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GPEDS enables electronic parole case management The process of preparing a case for consideration by the Board is completed electronically in GPEDS (Georgia Parole Evidence-based Data System). GPEDS is effective and efficient allowing Board Members to access the offender's case material and make clemency decisions electronically. The Parole Board has eliminated the production of paper files and continues imaging remaining paper files. Tags: operations,policy,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life-sentenced inmate cases submitted 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: operations,policy,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System 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. The guidelines account for the severity of the crime and the offender's risk to reoffend. Tags: policy,parole,operations,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Tentative Parole Month process After receiving the case from the hearing examiner, 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: policy,parole,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: policy,parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Final review process for 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. A release date that is set can be rescinded at any time prior to the release. Tags: policy,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Critical Analysis Unit responsibilities The Critical Analysis Unit (CAU) is tasked 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. CAU personnel are on call 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Tags: operations,policy,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] CAU collaborates with GDC 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: gangs,operations,policy,medical Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Offender Dialogue program description The Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) program provides an opportunity for victims of violent 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. Additionally, the offender must agree to participate, and must acknowledge his/her role in the crime and that he/she will not receive special consideration by the Board for participating. Tags: victims,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victims Visitors' Days program description 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 from each of the agencies that GOVS represents. Tags: victims,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GA-V.I.P. automated victim information system GA-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. By completing a victim impact statement or crime victim notification request form, victims can be registered with GA-V.I.P. Tags: victims,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: drugs,mental_health,reentry,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] District operations managers assigned to ten judicial districts The district operations managers are assigned to the ten (10) Judicial Districts in the state of Georgia and are an integral link between the Board and the Department of Community Supervision (DCS), as it relates to parole violators and commutations. District operations managers are P.O.S.T. certified officers and P.O.S.T. certified general and or firearm instructors. Tags: operations,policy,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Interstate Compact membership The State Board of Pardons and Paroles, in FY21, 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: transfers,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Virtual New Employee Orientation created during pandemic During the Covid Pandemic of FY21, the HR Team created and implemented a virtual New Employee Orientation to ensure a successful candidate experience during the onboarding process for new employees. HR managed to attract and engage a robust pool of candidates, resulting in the onboarding of 8 full-time new hires, and 2 part-time new hires during this period. Tags: staffing,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Annual training requirements for staff All agency employees must complete in-service training on an annual basis. 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. Non-sworn staff must complete a minimum of eight hours of training annually. Tags: staffing,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] First virtual Townhall Employee Engagement Event During FY21, the agency hosted the first virtual Townhall Employee Engagement Event to stay connected with individual teams. Tags: staffing,operations,policy 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 parole staff. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Guidelines not applied to life sentence reviews 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: parole,policy,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Offender cases not discussed at monthly Board meetings Offender cases are not discussed and parole decisions are not made at the monthly Board Meetings. The Board Members consider and make clemency decisions electronically. Tags: policy,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board solicits input throughout clemency consideration The Board also actively solicits input and accepts pleas for and protests against clemency throughout the consideration process. Information from community stakeholders, including victims, the public and criminal justice partners is considered by the Board. Tags: policy,operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board notifies prosecutors six months prior to parole eligibility To ensure the Board has current information about cases, the Board sends a notification to judges and district attorneys six months prior to specific offenders becoming parole eligible. This notification is sent regarding 'serious felony' cases. Tags: policy,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole certificates forwarded to clerks of court If released on parole, parole certificates are forwarded to the clerks of court for each docket the inmate received parole. Tags: policy,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Expedited parole reviews for life-sentenced inmates Inmates serving life who have been denied parole and have a scheduled reconsideration date may receive expedited parole reviews if the Board receives new information that warrants an earlier review. Tags: policy,parole,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Work release program may be precondition for life-sentenced 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: policy,parole,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board notifies offender of opportunity to submit information The Board, according to the statute, also gives the offender being considered an opportunity to submit information. This additional notification allows for another opportunity for the Parole Board Members to receive additional information or current community views regarding the scheduled parole for the offender. Tags: policy,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 72-hour notification in serious violent felony cases The Clemency Division, in addition, sends the 72-hour notification in 'serious violent felony' cases to the district attorney and sheriff of the county where the offender is being released to, if different from the county of conviction. Tags: policy,legal,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon application requirements The current pardon 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: policy,legal,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Sex offender pardon application additional requirements As a part of the application process, sex offender pardon 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. Tags: policy,legal,reentry 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. Tags: policy,legal,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Intermediate sanctions reduce technical parole revocations 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. 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: policy,parole,operations,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Revocation Hearings conducted via video conferencing Parole Revocation Hearings are conducted from the Board's central office in Atlanta via video conferencing or in person at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson. For video conference hearings, the offender, the officer of record and the Board Member may be in different locations. Use of this technology has reduced travel costs for all three agencies involved in the process. Tags: policy,operations,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] District operations managers required 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: policy,staffing,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Interstate Compact Unit responsibilities The State Board of Pardons and Paroles' Interstate Compact Unit is responsible for processing the transfer of all Georgia inmates paroled to an out-of-state residence. In addition, the unit responded to violations, conducted probable cause hearings, handled extraditions, and addressed victim issues relating to these cases. Tags: 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 which are the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Community Supervision. This office serves registered crime victims regarding offenders in prison or under community supervision. Tags: victims,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Support Partners network description 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,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Terry Barnard 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: policy,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn serves on Board of Community Supervision As Vice Chair of the Parole Board, Ms. Bunn also serves on the Board of Community Supervision. Tags: policy,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn serves on State Commission on Family Violence In August of 2018, Ms. Bunn received an appointment 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. Date: 2018-08-01 Tags: policy,operations,violence Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn serves on Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Ms. Bunn also serves as a member of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, serving as the Chair of the Victims Compensation Board. Tags: policy,operations,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board meeting videos available on Facebook and website The meeting videos are available on https://www.facebook.com/GAParoleBoard and www.pap.georgia.gov. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Crime Severity Levels available online The current Crime Severity Levels are available at https://pap.georgia.gov/parole-consideration/parole-consideration-eligibility-guidelines. Tags: policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Inmate TPM Lookup available on website The Inmate TPM Lookup (Offender/Inmate Parole Status) link is located on the home page at www.pap.georgia.gov. Tags: policy,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GA-V.I.P. contact information The forms can be completed online at www.pap.georgia.gov or forms can be requested by calling 404-651-6668 or 1-800-593-9474. Tags: victims,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board contact information State Board of Pardons and Paroles, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.E., Suite 458, East Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334-4909. Phone: 404.657.9450. Website: www.pap.georgia.gov. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 CASE DETAILS (1) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Christopher Sheffield receives pardon at August 2020 Board meeting Christopher Sheffield, a former offender, received a pardon granted by the Board after giving remarks at the August 2020 monthly Board meeting. Sheffield spoke to the Board about his life, including a pro football career, addiction, prison, receiving parole, and recovery. Sheffield told the Board that the clemency process works in Georgia. Date: 2020-08-01 Tags: legal,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 LEGAL FACTS (22) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Board established in 1943 In 1943, the Board was established through a constitutional amendment and consisted of three members. In August of 1943, Georgia voters ratified, by a ratio of four and a half to one, a landmark amendment to the State Constitution establishing the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as an independent agency. Date: 1943-01-01 Tags: legal,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board expanded to five members in 1973 In 1973, as the prison population rose to 9,000, the Constitution was amended to increase the Board to five members. Today, with an inmate population at approximately 50,000, the Board still consists of five voting members. Date: 1973-01-01 Tags: legal,operations,policy 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: legal,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board is sole authority to commute death sentences 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: legal,death,operations 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. Board Members independently reach their decisions after reviewing a comprehensive electronic case file on the eligible offender. Tags: legal,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] No inmate is entitled to parole in Georgia In Georgia, no inmate is entitled to parole, however by law; most are eligible for consideration and therefore must be considered by the Parole Board. Tags: legal,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Serious violent felony parole eligibility time requirements 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: legal,parole,policy 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: legal,reentry Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Sex offender pardon requires ten years crime-free 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: legal,reentry,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 2015 state law created pardon notification process 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. This allows victims and prosecutors the opportunity to send the Board information about the case. The Parole Board exceeds the statutory requirements and sends these notifications regarding all applications received. Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: legal,victims,policy 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). Under provisions of the legislation, offenders must have probation to serve following the prison portion of their sentence. Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: legal,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 72-hour statutory parole 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,victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 90-day notification for serious violent felony parole consideration As a result of legislation enacted in 2017, the Parole Board notifies the district attorney if an offender convicted of a serious violent felony is being considered for parole release. This notification is made at a minimum of 90-days prior to the final decision to parole. Those serious violent felonies are murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, and aggravated sexual battery. (O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1.) & (O.C.G.A. § 42-9-43(c)(1)) Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: legal,victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Registered victim notification requirement Registered victims of a crime are given notification at the time the Board is considering a parole release, allowing for a period for the victim to send the Board information about the case. (O.C.G.A. § 17-17-13) Tags: legal,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board authority to issue warrants State law authorizes the Parole Board Members to issue warrants for the arrest of alleged parole violators. Tags: legal,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Automatic revocation conditions 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,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Members have discretion to determine who receives clemency The Board Members have discretion to determine who receives clemency. Tags: legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board manages finite resource of state prison beds 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,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board is sole authority for state parole decisions The Board is the sole authority in the state to make informed decisions regarding which state inmates should be paroled, thereby ensuring that the state's prison beds are dedicated to the offenders who have committed the most serious crimes. Tags: legal,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board authority includes pardons and commutations The Board's authority includes granting paroles, pardons, and commutations including death sentences. Deciding whether to grant an offender parole is the primary responsibility of the Board. Tags: legal,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Board Members appointed by Governor to seven-year 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. Board Members are full-time state employees from various professions including criminal justice and private business. Tags: legal,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Barnard guided Sex Offender Registry framework through Georgia House 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: legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 METHODOLOGY NOTES (3) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] National parole completion figures from Bureau of Justice Statistics The report notes that national figures for parole completion rates are from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Tags: methodology,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024; Bureau of Justice Statistics - [confirmed] Board decision process is evidence-based, scientific and data-driven The Board's decision process is evidence-based, scientific and data-driven. Tags: methodology,operations,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Most FY21 training delivered via virtual media In FY21, due to COVID-19 complications, most of the training delivered by the training office was via virtual media. Tags: methodology,staffing,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 QUOTES (11) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Terry Barnard quote on serving as chairman Serving as chairman of this respected Board is no small thing and I consider it an honor that the members have again asked me to serve. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn quote on leadership role I am honored to have been elected to this leadership role. I look forward to moving forward in a very positive way. We have an exceptional board right now, and I think we are going to serve the citizens of Georgia quite well. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] David Herring quote on victim services Crime victims certainly can count on being heard by the Georgia Parole Board as a result of the hard-working staff we have in the Georgia Office of Victim Services. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Michelle Burns quote on MADD partnership The MADD Georgia Victim Services Team is so grateful to the Georgia Parole Board and the Georgia Office of Victim Services for partnering with us to present these resources. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Ashley Koonce quote on Georgia victim services Georgia's system of assisting crime victims and ensuring they are a part of the parole process is comprehensive and effective. We are thankful Georgia provided such an important and informative presentation for all of our attendees, both in person and virtual, to see. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Dr. Rita Davis-Cannon quote on PAC partnership PAC understands that the need for providing victim services does not end at the conclusion of a criminal trial. We are extremely proud of our partnership with the Parole Board. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chris Barnett quote on public access to Board meetings The Board agrees that we can better engage and educate the public about the Parole Board by making these meetings available to more people. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chris Sheffield quote on clemency process If you had not given me the opportunity to change my life in 1997, then I would have spent the remainder of that ten-year sentence in that institution and God knows where I would be today . . . The work that you do is relevant and the system (parole) that you have created is effective. From my life experience, it works. Date: 2020-08-01 Tags: reentry,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Terry Barnard quote on wardens Our state's wardens have a most difficult but important job. Their responsibility for the care and custody of the state's inmate population cannot be overstated. The Parole Board Members certainly value the contributions made to public safety by these men and women. Tags: operations,facilities Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chris Barnett quote on engaging stakeholders By engaging stakeholders in the parole process and the Board's operations and communicating with our local and state leaders, we are enhancing public safety. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chris Barnett quote on district attorneys We want all district attorneys to fully understand Georgia's parole process so they may take an active role by providing information as the Board considers parole eligible offenders. Tags: operations,policy,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 DATASETS (12) ---------------------------------------- # Parole Releases FY17-FY21 Annual parole releases from Georgia prisons for fiscal years 2017 through 2021. Fiscal Year Parole Releases ------------------------------ FY17 10468 FY18 10363 FY19 10429 FY20 9455 FY21 8634 # Parole Revocations FY17-FY21 Annual parole revocations for fiscal years 2017 through 2021. Fiscal Year Revocations -------------------------- FY17 2681 FY18 2525 FY19 2720 FY20 2199 FY21 2373 # Cost Avoidance FY17-FY21 Annual cost avoidance to the prison system as a result of offenders serving their sentence on parole, in millions of dollars. Fiscal Year Cost Avoidance ----------------------------- FY17 377 FY18 450 FY19 433 FY20 399 FY21 404 # Cost Per Day Incarceration vs Parole FY17-FY21 Cost per day of incarceration versus parole supervision for fiscal years 2017 through 2021. Fiscal Year Parole Cost Per Day Incarceration Cost Per Day -------------------------------------------------------------- FY17 2.12 53.76 FY18 2.11 61 FY19 2.18 61.73 FY20 2.19 61.73 FY21 1.8 62.23 # 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 2021 32 # FY21 Clemency Actions Clemency actions taken by the Parole Board during fiscal year 2021. Action Type Count ---------------------------------------------------------- Parole Certificates 6199 Out-of-State Parole Orders 368 Conditional Transfers 981 Out-of-State Conditional Transfers 174 Supervised Reprieves 804 Out-of-State Supervised Reprieves 10 Commutations 0 Medical Reprieves 53 Out-of-State ICE Orders 45 Total Prison Releases by Parole 8634 Total Discharges from Parole 7507 Total Guidelines Decisions 11580 Life Sentence Cases Denied 1547 Life Sentence Cases Granted 225 Total Life Sentence Case Decisions 1772 Restoration of Civil and Political Rights Granted 95 Pardon Grants 435 Total Pardons & Restorations Granted 530 # FY21 Pardons Granted Pardon and restoration of rights applications and grants during fiscal year 2021. Category Count ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Applications received (all types – pardons and RR) 1391 Pardons granted without firearms being restored 138 Pardons granted with firearms being restored 297 Restorations of civil and political rights 80 Restorations of civil and political rights with firearms restored 15 Total applications granted (inc. applications filed in previous year) 530 # FY21 Budget and Expenditures by Program Budget and expenditures by program for fiscal year 2021, in dollars. Program FY 2021 Budget FY 2021 Expenditures % of Total Budget ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Board Administration 2139936 2097649 12.39 Clemency Decisions 14492670 14484169 83.88 Victim Services 645351 622165 3.73 Total Funds 17277957 17203983 100 # FY21 Expenditures by Object Class Expenditures by object class for fiscal year 2021, in dollars. Object Class Expenditure ----------------------------------------- Personal Services 14306211 Regular Operating Expenses 530222 Motor Vehicles 406038 Equipment 5521 Computer Charges 237675 Real Estate Rentals 419926 Telecommunications 150452 Contracts 1070433 County Jail Subsidy 77505 # FY21 Expenditures by Fund Type Expenditures by fund type for fiscal year 2021, in dollars. Fund Type Expenditure ---------------------------- State Funds 17039373 Federal Funds 102717 Other Funds 61893 Total Funds 17203983 # FY21 Staff Demographics Staff demographics for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in fiscal year 2021. Category Count ---------------------------- Full-time Employees 171 Female 143 Male 28 Asian 2 Black 103 White 66 Age 20-29 15 Age 30-39 31 Age 40-49 50 Age 50-59 53 Age 60 Plus 22 # FY21 Training Hours Training hours taken and delivered by staff in fiscal year 2021. Category Hours ----------------------------------------------------------- Sworn staff 2306 Non-sworn staff 901 Training hours delivered by Parole Training Office 218 KEY ENTITIES (42) ---------------------------------------- - Ashley Koonce [person]: APAI Executive Director who provided a quote about Georgia's victim services presentation. - Association of Paroling Authorities International [organization]: International association of paroling authorities. Parole Board staff conducted a workshop at their conference in FY2024. - Atlanta Transitional Center [facility]: GDC transitional center in Atlanta, Georgia. Current facility for Aaron Keith Penn (listed as INACTIVE). - 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) - Christopher Sheffield [person]: Former offender who received a pardon from the Board at the August 2020 monthly Board meeting. Spoke about his life including a pro football career, addiction, prison, receiving parole, and recovery. (aka: Chris Sheffield) - Crime Victims Advocacy Council [organization]: Organization that sponsored the Crime Victims Homicide Memorial event in Decatur, Georgia. (aka: CVAC) - 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. - 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 Prison Wardens' Association [organization]: Organization of Georgia prison wardens. The Parole Board participated in its annual conference and engaged wardens during FY2023. - 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.) - GPEDS [program]: Electronic case management system used by the Parole Board for all parole consideration processes. Generates notifications and enables electronic voting by Board members. (aka: Georgia Parole Evidence-based Data System) - 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) - Meg Heap [person]: Vice Chair of the Georgia Parole Board for FY2025. Appointed January 2021 by Governor Kemp. Former District Attorney for Georgia's Eastern Judicial Circuit (Chatham County). - Metro Reentry Facility [facility]: A reopened state prison facility remissioned to function as a re-entry facility for the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on recidivism reduction. (aka: Re-Entry Facility) - Michelle Burns [person]: Victim Services Specialist at MADD of Southeast and Coastal Georgia who provided a quote about partnership with the Georgia Parole Board. - Mothers Against Drunk Driving [organization]: Organization that partnered with the Georgia Parole Board and Georgia Office of Victim Services for victim services presentations during National Crime Victims' Rights Week. (aka: MADD, MADD of Georgia, MADD of Southeast and Coastal Georgia) - 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. - 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) - Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia [organization]: Stakeholder organization engaged by the Parole Board in FY25. - Rita Davis-Cannon [person]: PAC Director of Victim Services who provided a quote about partnership with the Parole Board. (aka: Dr. Rita Davis-Cannon) - 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) - 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 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. - 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 providing structured, safe, direct, one-on-one meetings between victims of violent crimes and the offenders who committed the crimes. Can only be initiated by the victim. (aka: VOD) - 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' Days [program]: Partnership between GOVS and District Attorneys' Victim Witness Assistance Programs providing crime victims the opportunity to meet face-to-face with Parole Board Members and agency leadership. (aka: VVD) 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