GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: BOPP Annual Report FY2023 — Georgia Parole Board ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-08-21 21:17:29 EDT Research Date: 2026-08-13 Topic: Parole JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/bopp-annual-report-fy2023-georgia-parole-board/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- The FY 2023 Annual Report of the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles documents the agency's 80th year of operation, reporting 5,863 offenders released on parole, a 70% parole success rate exceeding the national average by an estimated 13 percentage points, and over $319 million in annual cost avoidance to the state. The report details the Board's five-member composition, its evidence-based parole decision guidelines system, and significant expansions in victim services including Victim Impact Sessions and the Victim Offender Dialogue program. Key policy changes include raising crime severity levels for criminal street gang activity and arson, reflecting the state's anti-gang priorities. STATISTICS (93) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] FY23 Parole Releases In Fiscal Year 2023, the Parole Board released 5,863 offenders from prison to serve the remainder of their prison sentence on parole. This represented 382 fewer parole board-initiated releases from the previous fiscal year. Value: 5863.0 offenders released (vs. 6245 FY22 releases) Tags: parole,releases,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Parole Success Rate Georgia's percentage of parolees successfully completing parole in FY23 was 70%. The national average was estimated to be approximately 57%. The Board's parole success rate has again eclipsed the national average by an estimated 13%. Value: 70.0 percent (vs. 57 National average) Tags: parole,recidivism,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Clemency Votes In FY23, the five Board Members made a total of 62,969 votes. The total represents all Board decisions requiring a vote and multiple votes or decisions for each offender case during the fiscal year. Value: 62969.0 votes Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Inmate Cases Considered The total number of parole eligible offender cases considered by the Board Members during the fiscal year was 17,151. Value: 17151.0 cases Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Offender Files Initiated In FY23, there were 21,974 offender files initiated for consideration by the Clemency Division. Value: 21974.0 files Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 GPEDS Notifications Generated For FY23, 41,269 notifications (all types) were generated by GPEDS (Georgia Parole Evidence-based Data System). Value: 41269.0 notifications Tags: operations,policy,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Preconditions to Parole Imposed There were 3,986 preconditions to parole imposed by the Board on inmates during the fiscal year. Value: 3986.0 preconditions Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 PIC Points Granted In FY23, the Parole Board members granted 26,855 PIC 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: 26855.0 PIC points Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Serious Felony Case Notifications In FY23, 2,186 case notifications or second solicitations/notifications were sent to judges and prosecutors regarding offenders convicted of serious felonies. Value: 2186.0 notifications Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 90-Day Notifications Sent In FY23, the Board sent 90-day notifications in 156 cases regarding offenders convicted of serious violent felonies being considered for parole release. Value: 156.0 cases Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Life Sentence Parole Grants In FY23, 83 lifers serving for a Serious Violent Felony were granted/released. Total life sentence cases granted was 110 (including the 83 SVF life sentence cases). Value: 110.0 grants Tags: parole,life_sentence,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Life Sentence Cases Denied In FY23, the Board denied parole in 2,144 life sentence cases. Value: 2144.0 denials Tags: parole,life_sentence,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Total Life Sentence Cases Considered In FY23, the Board considered 2,254 life sentenced cases for parole. Value: 2254.0 cases Tags: parole,life_sentence,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Guideline Cases Considered In FY23, the Board considered 10,436 guideline cases for parole. Value: 10436.0 cases Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Short Sentence Cases Considered In FY23, the Board considered 4,461 short sentence cases for parole. Value: 4461.0 cases Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Final Reviews Completed In FY23, 8,401 final reviews were completed by CAU hearing examiners. Value: 8401.0 reviews Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Clemency Investigations Completed In FY23, the clemency investigators completed 34,568 investigations for the Parole Board. Value: 34568.0 investigations Tags: parole,operations,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Pardon Applications Received In FY23, 1,059 pardon and restoration of rights applications were received (all types – pardons and RR). Value: 1059.0 applications Tags: pardon,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Pardons Granted In FY23, 564 pardon and restoration of rights applications were granted (all types). There were 19 more applications granted during the fiscal year compared to the previous year. Value: 564.0 grants Tags: pardon,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Pardons Granted Without Firearms Restored In FY23, 184 pardons were granted without firearms being restored. Value: 184.0 pardons Tags: pardon,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Pardons Granted With Firearms Restored In FY23, 285 pardons were granted with firearms being restored. Value: 285.0 pardons Tags: pardon,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Restorations of Civil and Political Rights In FY23, 85 restorations of civil and political rights were granted (without firearms restored). Value: 85.0 restorations Tags: pardon,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Restorations With Firearms Restored In FY23, 10 restorations of civil and political rights with firearms restored were granted. Value: 10.0 restorations Tags: pardon,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Pardon Notifications to District Attorneys During FY23, the Parole Board sent 697 notifications to district attorneys regarding ex-offenders applying for pardons. Value: 697.0 notifications Tags: pardon,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Parole Population Decline During Fiscal Year 2023, the population of offenders on parole under community supervision decreased from 17,744 on July 1, 2022, to 16,369 on June 30, 2023. Value: 16369.0 parolees (vs. 17744 July 1, 2022 population) Tags: parole,demographics,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Cumulative Parole Supervision Population The cumulative number of offenders under parole supervision during the fiscal year was 23,639. Value: 23639.0 offenders Tags: parole,demographics,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Parole Discharges The number of offenders discharged from parole in FY23 was 5,276. Value: 5276.0 discharges Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Parole Revocations During FY23, the Board revoked 1,552 parole violators returning the offenders to prison to serve their sentences in confinement. The number revoked decreased by 273 from the previous fiscal year. Value: 1552.0 revocations (vs. 1825 FY22 revocations) Tags: parole,revocation,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Technical Violation Revocations Under 1% Of the FY23 total number of revocations, less than 1% of those revoked were revoked based on technical violations which include, but are not limited to, drug use, curfew violations, or failure to pay fines and fees. Value: 1.0 percent Tags: parole,revocation,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Parole Board Warrants Issued In FY23, a total of 4,161 warrants were issued by the Parole Board. Value: 4161.0 warrants Tags: parole,revocation,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 GCIC Warrant Entries In FY23, the GCIC Unit entered 2,427 warrants into the GCIC/NCIC system. Value: 2427.0 warrants Tags: parole,revocation,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Final Revocation Hearings Conducted Parole Board Members conducted 254 final revocation hearings during FY23. Value: 254.0 hearings Tags: parole,revocation,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 SB174 Commutation Cases Considered During FY 2023, the Parole Board considered 795 cases for commutation under SB174 and commuted ten (10) cases that met the strict criteria of the Board. Value: 795.0 cases considered (vs. 10 cases commuted) Tags: commutation,legal,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Out-of-State Parole Releases During FY23, the Interstate Compact Unit released 255 offenders to out-of-state supervision. Value: 255.0 offenders Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Georgia Offenders Under Out-of-State Parole Supervision As of June 30, 2023, there were 2,241 Georgia offenders under active parole supervision in Compact states and 1,405 other Compact state offenders on parole supervision in Georgia. Value: 2241.0 offenders Date: 2023-06-30 Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 ICE Rapid REPAT Releases Via the ICE Rapid REPAT (Removal of Eligible Parolees Accepted for Transfer) Program, 17 foreign national offenders were released to ICE for deportation at an estimated cost avoidance of $3,511,452.21. Value: 17.0 offenders (vs. 3511452.21 Estimated cost avoidance (dollars)) Tags: parole,transfers,operations,budget Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Documents Scanned During FY23, 40,272 documents were scanned into the case management systems (Portal, GPEDS and TRIM system) utilized by the Board to make parole decisions. Value: 40272.0 documents Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Archived Files Imaged There were 185 active lifer offender parole files scanned and 11,423 archived files imaged during the fiscal year. There are approximately 137,568 archived files remaining to be imaged. Value: 11423.0 files Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 New Direction Recovery Program Referrals For FY23, fifty-five (55) parolees were referred to the New Direction Recovery Program. As of June 30, 2023, 50 parolees had graduated from the program during the fiscal year and were returned to parole supervision. Value: 55.0 referrals (vs. 50 graduates) Tags: parole,mental_health,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Annual Cost Avoidance 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 319 million dollars for FY23. The fiscal year cost avoidance is calculated based on the FY23 cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia ($59.14) compared to the community supervision cost per day ($2.67). Value: 319000000.0 dollars Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Incarceration Cost Per Day The FY23 cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia was $59.14 (most recent Ga. Dept. of Corrections' cost per day). Value: 59.14 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Community Supervision Cost Per Day The FY23 community supervision cost per day was $2.67. Value: 2.67 dollars per day Tags: budget,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Victim Phone Calls Handled In FY23, 10,694 phone calls from or to victims were fielded by staff. Value: 10694.0 calls Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Victim Correspondence Sent In FY23, 31,596 outgoing correspondences were sent to victims in response to concerns. Value: 31596.0 correspondences Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Victim Correspondence Received In FY23, 10,355 correspondences were received from victims and filed with the office. Value: 10355.0 correspondences Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 New GA-V.I.P. Registrants For FY23, there were 3,561 new GA-V.I.P. registrants. Value: 3561.0 registrants Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 GA-V.I.P. Victim Calls Logged In FY23, 4,379 phone calls from victims were logged into the GA-V.I.P. system. The system made 3,051 calls to victims. Value: 4379.0 calls (vs. 3051 outgoing calls to victims) Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Victim Offender Dialogues Completed In fiscal year (FY) 2023, three VOD dialogues were initiated and completed. Seven more dialogues are in the process to be completed in FY 2024. Value: 3.0 dialogues Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Victim Impact Sessions Conducted In FY23, eight (8) Victim Impact Sessions were conducted. The sessions were conducted in the Towaliga, Eastern, Atlanta, Blue Ridge, Chattahoochee, Appalachian, Enotah, and Flint judicial circuits. Value: 8.0 sessions Tags: victims,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Full-Time Employees The State Board of Pardons and Paroles employed 175 full-time employees in FY2023: 51 sworn and 124 non-sworn. Value: 175.0 employees Tags: staffing,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Staff by Race/Ethnicity Staff by race/ethnicity in FY23: Black 99, White 72, Asian 3, Other 1. The agency employs 11 U.S. military veterans. Value: 99.0 Black employees (vs. 72 White employees) Tags: staffing,demographics,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Sworn Staff Training Hours In FY23, sworn staff completed 5,010 training hours. 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. Value: 5010.0 hours Tags: staffing,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Non-Sworn Staff Training Hours In FY23, non-sworn staff completed 2,415 training hours. Non-sworn staff must complete a minimum of eight hours of training annually. Value: 2415.0 hours Tags: staffing,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Training Hours Delivered by Parole Training Office In FY23, the Parole Training Office delivered 1,617 training hours. Value: 1617.0 hours Tags: staffing,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Total Expenditures Total expenditures for FY2023 were $19,049,254.35. Value: 19049254.35 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Personal Services Expenditures Personal Services expenditures for FY2023 were $16,475,647.46, representing 86.5% of total expenditures. Value: 16475647.46 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 State Funds Expenditures State Funds expenditures for FY2023 were $18,894,679.32. Value: 18894679.32 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Federal Funds Expenditures Federal Funds expenditures for FY2023 were $103,712.24. Value: 103712.24 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Other Funds Expenditures Other Funds expenditures for FY2023 were $50,862.79. Value: 50862.79 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Clemency Decisions Program Expenditures Clemency Decisions program expenditures for FY2023 were $16,068,823.23, representing 84.2353% of total budget. Value: 16068823.23 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Board Administration Expenditures Board Administration program expenditures for FY2023 were $2,291,325.02, representing 12.0767% of total budget. Value: 2291325.02 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Victim Services Program Expenditures Victim Services program expenditures for FY2023 were $689,106.10, representing 3.6880% of total budget. Value: 689106.1 dollars Tags: budget,victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Georgia Inmate Population Approximately 49,000 Today, with an inmate population at approximately 49,000, the Board still consists of five voting members. Value: 49000.0 inmates Tags: demographics,facilities,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Average Time Served for Life Sentences in FY2023 In FY 2023, the average time served on a life sentence prior to a release was 28 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 increased to more than 15 years. By 2010, the average time served was nearly 20 years. Value: 28.0 years Tags: life_sentence,parole,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] CAU Risk Level Rating Accuracy For FY23, CAU audits revealed 99.3% accuracy in rating on Risk Levels and 99% accuracy in rating on CSL (crime severity levels). 10 cases were required to be resubmitted to the Board following CAU audits. Value: 99.3 percent Tags: operations,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Clemency Investigator Staffing Fifty-nine (59) investigators work in the Clemency Division. Thirty-eight (38) investigators are assigned to the field and predominantly complete post sentence investigations and profiles for all offenders sentenced by Georgia courts. Ten (10) investigators are assigned to work within the prisons to conduct personal history statements on inmates during the diagnostic process. The Board has eleven (11) P.O.S.T. certified criminal investigators. Value: 59.0 investigators Tags: staffing,operations,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Certificates Issued FY23 In FY23, 3,897 parole certificates were issued. Value: 3897.0 certificates Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-State Parole Orders FY23 In FY23, 226 out-of-state parole orders were issued. Value: 226.0 orders Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Conditional Transfers FY23 In FY23, 740 conditional transfers were issued. Value: 740.0 transfers Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-State Conditional Transfers FY23 In FY23, 144 out-of-state conditional transfers were issued. Value: 144.0 transfers Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Supervised Reprieves FY23 In FY23, 371 supervised reprieves were issued. Value: 371.0 reprieves Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Commutations FY23 In FY23, 450 commutations were granted. Value: 450.0 commutations Tags: commutation,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Medical Reprieves FY23 In FY23, 16 medical reprieves were granted. Value: 16.0 reprieves Tags: medical,parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-State ICE Orders FY23 In FY23, 19 out-of-state ICE orders were issued. Value: 19.0 orders Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Guidelines Decisions FY23 In FY23, 10,436 total guidelines decisions were made. Value: 10436.0 decisions Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Restoration of Civil and Political Rights Granted FY23 In FY23, 95 restorations of civil and political rights were granted (total including with and without firearms restored). Value: 95.0 restorations Tags: pardon,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Grants FY23 In FY23, 469 pardon grants were issued (total including with and without firearms restored). Value: 469.0 pardons Tags: pardon,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Pardons and Restorations Granted FY23 In FY23, total pardons and restorations granted was 564. Value: 564.0 grants Tags: pardon,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Prison Releases by Parole FY23 In FY23, total prison releases by parole was 5,863. Value: 5863.0 releases Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Total Discharges from Parole FY23 In FY23, total discharges from parole was 5,276. Value: 5276.0 discharges Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Out-of-State Supervised Reprieves FY23 In FY23, 0 out-of-state supervised reprieves were issued. Value: 0.0 reprieves Tags: parole,transfers,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Regular Operating Expenses Regular Operating Expenses for FY2023 were $1,042,370.84, representing 5.47% of total expenditures. Value: 1042370.84 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Motor Vehicles Expenditures Motor Vehicles expenditures for FY2023 were $149,424.48, representing 0.78% of total expenditures. Value: 149424.48 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Equipment Expenditures Equipment expenditures for FY2023 were $32,202.78, representing 0.17% of total expenditures. Value: 32202.78 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Computer Charges Computer Charges for FY2023 were $213,553.07, representing 1.12% of total expenditures. Value: 213553.07 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Real Estate Rentals Real Estate Rentals for FY2023 were $426,973.08, representing 2.24% of total expenditures. Value: 426973.08 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Telecommunications Expenditures Telecommunications expenditures for FY2023 were $160,369.45, representing 0.84% of total expenditures. Value: 160369.45 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Contracts Expenditures Contracts expenditures for FY2023 were $445,393.19, representing 2.34% of total expenditures. Value: 445393.19 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 County Jail Subsidy County Jail Subsidy for FY2023 was $103,320.00, representing 0.54% of total expenditures. Value: 103320.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Total Budget Total budget for FY2023 was $19,113,291.00. Value: 19113291.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Clemency Decisions Budget Clemency Decisions program budget for FY2023 was $16,100,129.00. Value: 16100129.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Board Administration Budget Board Administration program budget for FY2023 was $2,308,252.00. Value: 2308252.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY23 Victim Services Budget Victim Services program budget for FY2023 was $704,910.00. Value: 704910.0 dollars Tags: budget,victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 POLICYS (20) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Crime Severity Level Changes for Gang Activity and Arson The Board changed the crime severity level for the offenses of criminal street gang activity and arson 1. The offense of criminal street gang activity was raised from a level five to level eight. Arson 1 was changed from a level five to a level six. Adopted changes took effect July 1, 2023. Date: 2023-07-01 Tags: gangs,policy,parole,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Revalidation The revalidation process of the Parole Board's guidelines occurred during FY 2023. Prior to adopting changes to the guidelines in June, Parole Board Leadership engaged several groups allowing stakeholder input. Meetings were held with the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL), the Georgia Council of Superior Court Judges and the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Parole Reconsideration Policy If parole is denied to an inmate serving life, the Board, by policy, will reconsider the case again at least once every eight years. The duration between considerations is a decision made by the Board. Tags: life_sentence,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Sex Offender Pardon Requirements Applicants seeking a pardon for offenses requiring registration on Georgia's Sex Offender Registry must be crime free for ten years following the completion of all sentences, as opposed to five years for all other conviction types. These applicants must also provide a current copy of their most recent risk level evaluation as assigned by the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board (SORRB), provide a psychosexual evaluation, and submit to a disclosure polygraph. Tags: pardon,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Hearings Not Held Parole hearings are not held. However, each offender entering the Georgia prison system is interviewed by parole staff. The Board also actively solicits input and accepts pleas for and protests of clemency throughout the consideration process. 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. 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,parole 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. Each PIC point equals one month that a TPM can be changed to an earlier date. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] New Direction Recovery Program 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: parole,mental_health,policy,operations 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. 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] Victim Support Partners Program The Victim Support Partners (VSPs) program represents a comprehensive network spanning across the entire state, consisting of crime victims registered with the Georgia Office of Victim Services. The dedicated victim volunteers spend time to offer aid, counsel, and solace to fellow crime victims throughout the post-conviction phase. Tags: victims,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Impact Sessions Program Victim Impact Sessions (VIS) allow victims whose offender is within twelve to eighteen months of parole consideration to discuss their case in a close-knit setting with a Board Member, a GOVS staff member, and a senior hearing examiner. By focusing on cases soon to be reviewed for parole consideration, the Board is receiving up to date and timely information from both the victim and the district attorney. Tags: victims,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GA-V.I.P. Victim Information System The Georgia Victim Information Program, 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 offenders. Upon registering, victims are issued a PIN (Personal Identification Number). When accessing the system (1-800-593-9474), victims can learn the status of the offender. Tags: victims,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Interstate Compact Membership The State Board of Pardons and Paroles, in FY23, was a member of the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS). ICAOS is responsible for creating and upholding the rules of the Commission. ICAOS comprises all fifty (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] District Operations Managers Structure 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. They are required to complete twenty (20) hours of P.O.S.T. training each year. Tags: operations,staffing,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Tentative Parole Month Process A Tentative Parole Month (TPM) is set when three of the five board members agree on a specific amount of time that the offender should serve before being granted parole. The Tentative Parole Month or 'tentative grant' can be rescinded at any time. The TPM is not a release date or a final parole release decision. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Final Review Process 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 because of the offender not completing required programming, prison misconduct, or because of detainers, warrants or new sentences. A release date that is set can be rescinded at any time prior to the release. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 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: operations,policy,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] CAU Collaborates 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,investigations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Violation Intermediate Sanctions 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 result in the low percentage of technical parole violators being revoked and returned to prison. The purpose of intermediate sanctions is to bring the offenders who are not a threat to public safety back into compliance with their parole conditions. Tags: parole,revocation,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Video Conference Revocation Hearings 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 various locations. Use of this technology has reduced travel costs for all three agencies involved in the process, the Parole Board, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Community Supervision. Tags: parole,revocation,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 LEGAL FACTS (17) ---------------------------------------- - [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 authorized to grant paroles, pardons, reprieves, commute sentences, including death sentences, and remove disabilities imposed by law. Date: 1943-01-01 Tags: legal,policy,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,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Introduced in 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 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. 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,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Members Appointed 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,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Three Votes Required for Parole Decision A majority of three votes is required to grant or deny parole. Other votes may also be required for each individual parole case. Tags: legal,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Parole Eligibility Statutory Changes 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 sins' offense was committed prior to 1995, the offender is eligible after seven years. Beginning in 1995, offenders committing these crimes became eligible after serving 14 years. If the crime is committed on/after July 1, 2006, the offender is eligible for parole after serving 30 years. Tags: life_sentence,parole,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 2015 Pardon Victim 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: pardon,legal,victims 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: commutation,legal,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 72-Hour Statutory Notification Requirement Judges, district attorneys, sheriffs (of the county of residence prior to the arrest and the county of conviction) and registered victims also receive a 72-hour statutory notification that the offender is about to be paroled. (O.C.G.A. § 42-9-47) Tags: legal,parole,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] 90-Day Serious Violent Felony Notification 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. The 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,parole,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Notification Statute 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,parole,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Automatic Revocation Statute A 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,revocation Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Pardon Definition and Requirements 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. A pardon does not expunge, remove, or erase crimes from a person's criminal record. Tags: pardon,legal,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Sole Authority for Executive Clemency 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. In Georgia, the Parole Board holds the sole constitutional authority to grant executive clemency to a condemned inmate. Tags: legal,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] An Inmate Is Not Entitled to Parole An inmate is not entitled to parole, however by law; most are eligible for consideration and therefore must be considered by the Parole Board. Tags: legal,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Board Members Have Discretion to Determine Clemency The Board Members have discretion to determine who receives clemency. Tags: legal,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 TRENDS (6) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Releases Declined as Prison Admissions Increased Parole releases decreased during FY23, as prison admissions increased. During FY23, the Parole Board released 5,863 offenders from prison. This total represented 382 fewer parole board-initiated releases from the previous fiscal year. Tags: parole,trend,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Life Sentence Time Served Increasing Trend In 1973, life-sentenced inmates convicted of serious violent felonies served less than nine years in prison, on average, before being released from prison. By the year 2000, the average had increased to more than 15 years. By 2010, the average time served on a life sentence prior to a release was nearly 20 years and in FY 2023, the average time served was 28 years. Tags: life_sentence,parole,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Revocations Declining Trend Parole revocations have declined from 2,720 in FY19 to 1,552 in FY23, with decreases in most fiscal years. Tags: parole,revocation,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] PIC Awards Declining Trend PIC awards have declined from 37,012 in FY19 to 26,855 in FY23. Tags: parole,policy,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Cost Avoidance Declining Trend Annual cost avoidance has declined from $433 million in FY19 to $319 million in FY23. FY22 was $376 million, FY21 was $404 million, FY20 was $399 million. Tags: budget,parole,trend Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Releases Declining Trend FY19-FY23 Parole releases have declined from 10,429 in FY19 to 5,863 in FY23, with decreases in each fiscal year. Tags: parole,trend,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 FINDINGS (5) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Georgia Parole Success Rate Exceeds National Average Georgia's parole success rate has again eclipsed the national average by an estimated 13%. At a seventy (70) plus percentage rate of success, Georgia's parole system ranks among the nation's leaders and remains a model for other states. Tags: parole,recidivism,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [reported] Board is #1 Paroling Authority in the Nation The report states: 'We maintain that we are the Number 1 Paroling Authority in the Nation.' Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GOVS Receives Crime Victim Service Award In FY23, GOVS was given the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council's Georgia Crime Victim Service Collaborative and Innovative Project Award. The award was shared with the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia (PAC). It was given for the Victim Impact Sessions (VIS) conducted by GOVS and hosted by prosecutors across the state. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Terry Barnard Chair Letter on 80th Anniversary This is a significant year for the Board in that it was 80-years ago that the agency was created through legislation and a landmark amendment to the State Constitution. As our recognition of this monumental milestone began this year, you will read more about it in the FY 2024 report next year as we mark the event throughout 2023. Tags: operations,policy,legal Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Terry Barnard Chair Letter on Gang Severity Increase In FY 2023, we updated our parole decision guidelines. One change is reflective of our state's effort to combat gangs as we increased the crime severity level for criminal street gang convictions which will negatively impact parole chances for those participating in these crimes. Tags: gangs,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 QUOTES (20) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Terry Barnard Quote on Responsibility I have had an awesome responsibility and a debt of humility to work for you as your Board Chair. What a team we have, and I'm still honored. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] David Herring Quote on Board Staff It's an honor to serve on this board and in this capacity. This board does not make this agency, the staff members make this agency and I truly believe that. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Tim Ward Quote on Parole Board Role The Parole Board has an important role in Georgia's criminal justice system. During my tenure as the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections, the agency and the Board worked closely together to serve Georgia communities and keep families safe. I pledge to make informed decisions when determining which eligible offenders are deserving of parole. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn Quote on Victim Impact As the Board makes clemency decisions, public safety is one prong of that process. Victim impact is another prong. It is imperative that victims' concerns are heard throughout the criminal justice process. Tags: victims,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] DA Sosebee Quote on Victim Impact Sessions Meeting with these victims was significant for many reasons, but especially in that it allowed the victims to have a voice and to be heard. This collaboration with the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles assists the District Attorney's Office in its mission to Seek Justice, Serve Justice, and Do Justice. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] David Herring Quote on Victims We must never forget that victims are at the center of the criminal justice system, and we must do everything we can to ensure that their voices are heard, and their rights are protected. Tags: victims,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Meg Heap Quote on Gang Information Bringing together law enforcement is resulting in stronger communication and can greatly enhance the amount of information we receive on offenders with gang ties. The Board is extremely interested in this information which is a factor when considering an offender's parole. Gang members will find it harder to be paroled in Georgia. Tags: gangs,parole,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Rita Rocker Quote on Anti-Gang Efforts We recognize the importance of the work you do to help bring justice and healing to those affected by the criminal activity of gangs. Tags: gangs,victims Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chris Barnett Quote on Anti-Gang Efforts Being a part of Georgia's Anti-Gang efforts allows the Georgia Parole Board to connect with the officers in the community, share information with the Board, and continue to enhance public safety. Tags: gangs,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jacqueline Bunn Quote on Attorney Understanding To effectively navigate the criminal justice process, attorneys and judges need a keen understanding of the parole board's authority, responsibility, and processes. Attorneys representing offenders and judges sentencing offenders can both provide useful information to the Board to help ensure its decisions contribute to public safety. Tags: parole,legal,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chris Barnett Quote on Warden Engagement The information we were able to provide the wardens and prison staff will help them prepare offenders for future successes. The Parole Board, the Department of Corrections, and Department of Community Supervision are working in unison to improve public safety through successful offender outcomes. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chris Barnett Quote on Stakeholders These stakeholders are important to parole decision making. They can provide the latest community views regarding offender cases. Tags: parole,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chris Barnett Quote on Offender Engagement The Parole Board encourages the offender population to excel and become 'parole ready.' These graduates are making a statement that they can work and succeed in life. The Board Members view this type of achievement in a positive way. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chris Barnett Quote on Guideline Revalidation By engaging those who represent offenders, as well as prosecutors and judges, a greater community view is achieved as we seek to update the parole guideline system. Tags: parole,policy,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Terry Barnard Quote on Warden Partnership The Department of Corrections and the wardens are key partners of the Parole Board. The wardens and counselors are the corrections staff who know the offenders best and their information is important if we are to make informed parole decisions. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Meg Heap Quote on Warden Engagement Certainly, as board members, we need to know when an offender is doing well and when they're not. Today's engagement with the wardens will strengthen that necessary relationship which will benefit public safety. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chris Barnett Quote on Electronic Pardon Process Our pardon process presentation highlighted the advancements we've made over the past several years including moving to an electronic format which is far more efficient and effective. The result are pardons for deserving offenders who in turn can continue to be productive citizens. Tags: pardon,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Terry Barnard Quote on DCS Relationship The professional relationship the Parole Board has with the Department of Community Supervision (DCS) is excellent and maintaining that level of communication and cooperation is very important to public safety. Tags: parole,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Chris Barnett Quote on GPACS Engagement Engaging the GPACS members allows the Board to continue working in unison with the Department of Community Supervision and the Department of Corrections. Successful reentry can't be accomplished without this strong partnership. Tags: parole,reentry,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Jaquel Moody Quote on Georgia Victim Services I walked away inspired and motivated by their programs and their people! I would love to see this as a plenary or keynote presentation. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 CASE DETAILS (8) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Offender Engagement Facilities Visited Board staff including voting Board Members engaged offenders at Lee Arrendale State Prison, Colwell Probation Detention Center, Rutledge State Prison, Metro Reentry Facility, Macon Day Reporting Center (DRC), Gainesville DRC, and Central State Prison, among others. Tags: operations,facilities,parole Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Anti-Gang Network Regional Meetings Attended Parole attended regional meetings of Georgia's Anti-Gang Network in Savannah, Columbus, Griffin, Athens, and Cherokee County during FY2023. Tags: gangs,operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole 101 Presentations Delivered Staff made presentations in FY 2023 to the following: the Atlanta Bar, District 10 of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office, the Georgia Professional Association of Community Supervision and at the Georgia Prison Wardens' Association Conference. Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Victim Impact Sessions by Judicial Circuit During the fiscal year, Victim Impact Sessions included victims from the following judicial circuits: Brunswick and Eastern Judicial Circuits (Chair Terry Barnard); Atlanta and Flint Judicial Circuits (Vice Chair Jacqueline Bunn); Appalachian, Blue Ridge, Enotah, and Northeastern Judicial Circuits (Board Member David Herring); Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit (Board Member Meg Heap); Towaliga Judicial Circuit (Board Member Brian Owens). Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] GOVS National Conference Presentations GOVS presented Georgia's Unique Approach to serving crime victims post-conviction at the National Association of Victim Assistance in Corrections conference in New Hampshire; presented at Fulton County's Victim Advocate Master Training; participated in Georgia College & State University Victimology and Senior Seminars; and participated in presentations to District Attorney Offices across the state. Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] National Crime Victims' Rights Week Events The Georgia Office of Victim Services (GOVS) conducted their most successful week of events for National Crime Victims' Rights Week in April 2023. They included a symposium at Georgia State University, 'A Conversation on Victims' Rights.' Date: 2023-04-01 Tags: victims,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Timothy Ward Appointed to Board In January of 2023, Governor Brian Kemp appointed Timothy C. Ward to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Ward is the former commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections. Ward filled the vacancy on the five-member board as Member Brian Owens' term ended. Governor Kemp had previously appointed Ward as the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections in 2019. Ward's career with the Department of Corrections began in 1992. Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: operations,policy,staffing Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] FY2024 Board Leadership Elected At the June 2023 monthly meeting, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles elected a chair and vice chair for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. Terry Barnard was elected to serve as chair for the Georgia Parole Board from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. David Herring was elected vice chair for FY 2024. Date: 2023-06-01 Tags: operations,policy Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 METHODOLOGY NOTES (3) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Parole Completion Rate Data Source The parole completion rates chart cites national figures from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Georgia's completion rate is shown as approximately 70% for FY23, while the U.S.A. rate is shown as approximately 57%. Tags: parole,operations,methodology 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 FY23 cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia ($59.14) compared to the community supervision cost per day ($2.67). Tags: budget,methodology,operations Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 - [confirmed] Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System The guidelines account for the severity of the crime and the offender's risk to reoffend. The offender's risk to reoffend is determined by weighted factors concerning the offender's criminal and social history that the Board has found to have value in predicting the probability of further criminal behavior. The higher the crime severity level, the more serious the offense, and the more likely it will be recommended that the offender serve a longer period prior to parole. Tags: parole,policy,methodology Sources: State Board of Pardons and Paroles Annual Report FY 2024 DATASETS (13) ---------------------------------------- # Parole Releases FY19-FY23 Annual parole releases from Georgia prisons, FY2019 through FY2023 Fiscal Year Parole Releases ------------------------------ FY19 10429 FY20 9455 FY21 8634 FY22 6245 FY23 5863 # PIC Awards FY19-FY23 Performance Incentive Credit (PIC) awards granted by the Parole Board, FY2019 through FY2023 Fiscal Year PIC Awards ------------------------- FY19 37012 FY20 39374 FY21 36257 FY22 30313 FY23 26855 # Parole Revocations FY19-FY23 Annual parole revocations, FY2019 through FY2023 Fiscal Year Revocations -------------------------- FY19 2720 FY20 2199 FY21 2373 FY22 1825 FY23 1552 # Cost Per Day: Incarceration vs Parole FY19-FY23 Cost of incarceration versus cost of supervision, per day, for state of Georgia, FY2019 through FY2023 Fiscal Year Incarceration Cost Per Day Parole Cost Per Day -------------------------------------------------------------- FY19 2.18 61.73 FY20 2.19 61.73 FY21 1.8 62.23 FY22 2.22 62.23 FY23 2.67 59.14 # Annual Cost Avoidance FY19-FY23 Annual cost avoidance to the prison system because of offenders serving their sentence on parole, FY2019 through FY2023 Fiscal Year Cost Avoidance ----------------------------- FY19 433000000 FY20 399000000 FY21 404000000 FY22 376000000 FY23 319000000 # Life Sentence Average Time Served for Serious Violent Felonies Average time served on a life sentence prior to release for parole eligible offenders convicted of serious violent felonies, selected years 1973-2023 Year Average Time Served --------------------------- 1973 9 2000 15 2010 20 2023 28 # Parole Completion Rates Georgia vs USA FY19-FY23 Parole completion rates for Georgia compared to national figures from Bureau of Justice Statistics, FY2019 through FY2023 Fiscal Year Georgia Completion Rate USA Completion Rate ----------------------------------------------------------- FY19 70 57 FY20 70 57 FY21 70 57 FY22 70 57 FY23 70 57 # FY23 Pardons Granted by Type Pardons and restorations of rights granted in FY2023, broken down by type Type Count -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pardons granted without firearms restored 184 Pardons granted with firearms restored 285 Restorations of civil and political rights 85 Restorations of civil and political rights with firearms restored 10 Total applications granted 564 # FY23 Clemency Actions Clemency actions taken by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in FY2023 Action Type Count ---------------------------------------------------------- Parole Certificates 3897 Out-of-State Parole Orders 226 Conditional Transfers 740 Out-of-State Conditional Transfers 144 Supervised Reprieves 371 Out-of-State Supervised Reprieves 0 Commutations 450 Medical Reprieves 16 Out-of-State ICE Orders 19 Total Prison Releases by Parole 5863 Total Discharges from Parole 5276 Total Guidelines Decisions 10436 Life Sentence Cases Denied 2144 Life Sentence Cases Granted 110 Total Life Sentence Case Decisions 2254 Restoration of Civil and Political Rights Granted 95 Pardon Grants 469 Total Pardons & Restorations Granted 564 # FY23 Budget and Expenditures by Program FY2023 budget and expenditures by program for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles Program FY2023 Budget FY2023 Expenditures Percent of Total Budget ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Board Administration 2308252 2291325.02 12.0767 Clemency Decisions 16100129 16068823.23 84.2353 Victim Services 704910 689106.1 3.688 Total Funds 19113291 19049254.35 100 # FY23 Expenditures by Object Class FY2023 expenditures by object class (total funds) for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles Object Class Expenditures Percent of Total ------------------------------------------------------------ Personal Services 16475647.46 86.5 Regular Operating Expenses 1042370.84 5.47 Motor Vehicles 149424.48 0.78 Equipment 32202.78 0.17 Computer Charges 213553.07 1.12 Real Estate Rentals 426973.08 2.24 Telecommunications 160369.45 0.84 Contracts 445393.19 2.34 County Jail Subsidy 103320 0.54 Total Expenditures 2023 19049254.35 100 # FY23 Expenditures by Fund Type FY2023 expenditures by fund type (total funds) for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles Fund Type FY2023 Expenditures ------------------------------------ State Funds 18894679.32 Federal Funds 103712.24 Other Funds 50862.79 Total Funds 19049254.35 # FY23 Staff by Race/Ethnicity Staff composition by race/ethnicity for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in FY2023 Race/Ethnicity Count ----------------------- Black 99 White 72 Asian 3 Other 1 KEY ENTITIES (66) ---------------------------------------- - American Probation and Parole Association [organization]: Professional association for probation and parole. The Parole Board's Clemency Division presented at the 48th APPA Annual Training Institute in New York City. (aka: APPA) - Association of Paroling Authorities International [organization]: International association of paroling authorities. Parole Board staff conducted a workshop at their conference in FY2024. - B. Alison Sosebee [person]: District Attorney for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit who commented on the significance of Victim Impact Sessions. (aka: District Attorney B. Alison Sosebee) - 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) - Central State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison with GCI garment and linen manufacturing. - Chris Carr [person]: Georgia Attorney General. National leader on cell phone jamming advocacy in prisons, heading coalitions of 23-31 state attorneys general pushing for federal authorization. - Christopher L. Barnett [person]: Executive Director of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles since August 2015. Joined the agency in 2003 as a parole officer. Native of Hinesville, Georgia. MPA from Georgia Southern University. (aka: Chris Barnett) - Clemency Division [organization]: The division of the Parole Board responsible for preparing cases for Board consideration, conducting investigations, and managing the parole consideration process. - Colwell Probation Detention Center [facility]: Georgia probation detention center where Board staff engaged offenders during FY2023. - Criminal Data Exchange Board [organization]: Stakeholder organization engaged by the Parole Board in FY25. - 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. - Department of Community Supervision [organization]: Georgia state agency created by HB310 in FY2015, responsible for the supervision of felony offenders on probation and parole in Georgia. Offenders released on parole are supervised by DCS. (aka: DCS) - 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. - Gainesville Day Reporting Center [facility]: Georgia day reporting center where Board staff engaged offenders during FY2023. (aka: Gainesville DRC) - Georgia Anti-Gang Network [program]: A statewide effort led by State Attorney General Chris Carr to eliminate criminal gang activity. The Parole Board participated in regional meetings in Savannah, Columbus, Griffin, Athens, and Cherokee County during FY2023. (aka: Anti-Gang Network) - Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police [organization]: Organization of Georgia police chiefs surveyed by FOX 5 Atlanta in 2024 regarding field drug test practices - Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers [organization]: Identified as institutional ally for Georgia field drug test reform legislation (aka: GACDL) - Georgia Commission on Family Violence [organization]: Georgia state commission that produces annual fact sheets on domestic violence statistics, conducts fatality reviews, and publishes research on family violence trends. Published 2024 report 'Walking the Line' documenting higher arrest rates for women in DV cases. (aka: GCFV) - Georgia Council of Superior Court Judges [organization]: Organization engaged during the parole decision guidelines revalidation process in FY2023. - Georgia Crime Information Center [organization]: State criminal justice information system connected to the national CJIS database, used for warrant entry and wanted person identification. (aka: GCIC) - Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council [organization]: State council engaged by the Parole Board as a law enforcement partner during FY2023. - 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 Department of Juvenile Justice [organization]: Georgia state agency responsible for juvenile corrections, received portion of VOI/TIS grant funds for bed construction. (aka: DJJ) - Georgia Department of Public Safety [organization]: State agency where David Herring served as a state trooper beginning in 1994. - 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 Peace Officer Standards and Training Council [organization]: Separate state agency that investigates some cases of involuntary GDC officer terminations, suspensions, and alleged criminal involvement (aka: POST) - Georgia Prison Wardens' Association [organization]: Organization of Georgia prison wardens. The Parole Board participated in its annual conference and engaged wardens during FY2023. - Georgia Professional Association of Community Supervision [organization]: State organization that received training presentations from the Georgia Parole Board. - Georgia Sheriffs' Association [organization]: Stakeholder organization engaged by the Parole Board in FY25. - 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) - Immigration and Customs Enforcement [organization]: Federal agency receiving foreign national offenders for deportation through the ICE Rapid REPAT program. (aka: ICE) - 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) - Jaquel Moody [person]: Representative from the Arizona Department of Corrections who commented positively on Georgia's victim services programs after the NAVAC conference presentation. - Lee Arrendale State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where drug-coated paper was found being passed in November 2025. - Macon Day Reporting Center [facility]: Georgia day reporting center where Board staff engaged offenders during FY2023. (aka: Macon DRC) - 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) - 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) - National Association of Victim Assistance in Corrections [organization]: National organization for victim assistance in corrections. The Georgia Victim Services Delivery Model was presented at the 2022 NAVAC Conference. (aka: NAVAC) - National Crime Information Center [organization]: National system where Parole Board warrants are entered for wanted person identification. (aka: NCIC) - National Organization for Victim Assistance [organization]: National victim assistance organization. Georgia Parole Board and GOVS staff attended the NOVA 48th Training Conference. (aka: NOVA) - 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) - Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia [organization]: Stakeholder organization engaged by the Parole Board in FY25. - Rita Rocker [person]: Deputy Executive Director appointed June 1, 2015. Also served as Director of Georgia Office of Victim Services from September 2020 to June 2024. - Rutledge State Prison [facility]: GDC facility; Promise Tucker 2021 tobacco/cigarette resale case (aka: Rutledge SP) - Scott State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where Timothy Ward began his career with the Department of Corrections in 1992 as a correctional officer. - Senate Bill 174 [legislation]: Legislation passed in 2017 that included a provision requiring the Board to consider commuting the sentences of specific offenders serving a split sentence who have successfully completed twelve consecutive months of parole supervision (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-21). (aka: SB174, SB 174) - Sexual Offender Registration Review Board [organization]: Board that assigns risk level evaluations to sex offenders. Applicants seeking pardons for offenses requiring registration on Georgia's Sex Offender Registry must provide their most recent risk level evaluation from this board. (aka: SORRB) - State Board of Pardons and Paroles [organization]: Georgia state entity that serves as a reporting entity for sexual abuse allegations in prisons - 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. - Timothy C. Ward [person]: Former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections. The November 30, 2022 Central Office Appeal Response falsely denying Legionella was issued on letterhead bearing his name. Named defendant in Sullivan v. Ward. (aka: Commissioner Ward) - Treutlen Probation Detention Center [facility]: Probation detention center housing the New Direction Recovery Program for parolees. - Victim Impact Sessions [program]: In-person sessions where crime victims meet with Board members to discuss cases within 12-18 months of parole consideration. Introduced FY2022. (aka: VIS) - Victim Offender Dialogue Program [program]: Program offering structured, safe environment for victims of violent crimes to engage in one-on-one meetings with their offenders. (aka: VOD) - Victim Support Partners [program]: Statewide network of dedicated victim-volunteers who support victims and their families. Crime victims who provide post-sentencing advocacy. SOURCES (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