Parole
BOPP Annual Report FY2019 — Georgia Parole Board
The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY2019 Annual Report documents a continued decline in parole releases (9,455 total, down 908 from FY18) alongside a 70% parole success rate that exceeds the national average of below 60%. The report highlights the Board's constitutional clemency authority, its evidence-based Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System, and significant victim services outreach including Victims Visitors' Days that served 286 crime victims. The agency reported over $433 million in annual cost avoidance from parole supervision versus incarceration, while also documenting increased revocations (2,720) and a reorganization of its Clemency Division to improve efficiency.
Key Findings
The most impactful data from this research collection.
70%
XX% Parole Success Rate
Statistic$433.0M
$XX Million Annual Cost Avoidance
StatisticXX Years Avg Time Served
Trend20,719
Parole Population Decrease FY19
StatisticAll Data Points
135 verified data points extracted from primary sources.
Total Clemency Votes in FY19 Statistic
In Fiscal Year 2019, the Parole Board Members made a total of 86,054 clemency votes, representing all Board decisions requiring a vote.
86,054 votes
Inmate Cases Considered in FY19 Statistic
The total number of individual inmate cases (parole eligible offenders) considered during FY19 was 24,738.
24,738 cases
Total Prison Releases by Parole in FY19 Statistic
The Parole Board released 9,455 offenders from prison through all forms of clemency during FY19, representing 908 fewer releases than the previous fiscal year.
9,455 offenders vs. FY18 releases
Parole Success Rate FY19 Statistic
Georgia's parole success rate, defined as offenders successfully completing their parole, was 70 percent in FY19, among the highest in the nation. The national average remains below 60 percent.
70% vs. national average (below)
Parole Releases Trend FY15-FY19 Trend
For a fifth consecutive year, parole releases decreased during FY19. Releases declined from 13,520 in FY15 to 13,374 in FY16, 10,468 in FY17, 10,363 in FY18, and 9,455 in FY19.
Annual Cost Avoidance FY19 Statistic
The annual cost avoidance to the state due to offenders being under parole supervision as opposed to housing them in prison was more than $433,000,000 for FY19.
$433.0M vs. FY18 cost avoidance
Cost Per Day Incarceration vs Parole FY19 Statistic
In FY19, the cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia was $61.73 compared to the community supervision cost per day of $2.18.
$61.73 vs. parole supervision cost per day
Total Notifications Generated by GPEDS in FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 33,612 notifications (all types) were generated by GPEDS (Georgia Parole Evidence-based Data System).
33,612 notifications
Secondary Solicitation Notifications Sent in FY19 Statistic
For FY19, 6,221 second solicitations/notifications were sent to judges and prosecutors regarding offenders convicted of serious felonies.
6,221 notifications
90-Day Statutory Notifications for Serious Violent Felonies Statistic
In FY19, the Board sent 90-day notifications in 202 cases regarding pending paroles for offenders convicted of a 'serious violent felony' (the 'seven deadly sins': murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sod…
202 cases
Preconditions to Parole Imposed in FY19 Statistic
There were 7,109 preconditions to parole imposed by the Board on inmates during FY19.
7,109 preconditions
PIC Points Granted in FY19 Statistic
In FY19, the Parole Board members granted 37,012 PIC (Performance Incentive Credit) 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 earl…
37,012 PIC points vs. FY18 PIC points
Life Sentence Parole Decisions FY19 Statistic
In FY19, the Board made 1,808 total life sentence case decisions: 188 granted parole and 1,620 denied parole.
1,808 decisions
Life Sentence Parole Grants FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 188 life-sentenced inmates were granted parole.
188 grants
Life Sentence Parole Denials FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 1,620 life-sentenced inmates were denied parole.
1,620 denials
Average Time Served for Life-Sentenced Serious Violent Felons Trend
In 1973, life-sentenced inmates convicted of serious violent felonies served less than nine years in prison on average before release. By 2000, the average had risen to more than 15 years. By 2010, the average was nearly 20 years, and in 2019, a lif…
Pardon Applications Received FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 662 pardon and restoration of rights applications were received (all types), fifteen more than the previous year.
662 applications vs. FY18 applications received
Pardons and Restorations Granted FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 577 pardons and restorations of rights were granted (all types), 95 more grants than the previous fiscal year.
577 grants vs. FY18 grants
Pardons Granted Without Firearms Restoration FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 202 pardons were granted without firearms being restored.
202 pardons
Pardons Granted With Firearms Restoration FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 265 pardons were granted with firearms being restored.
265 pardons
Restorations of Civil and Political Rights FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 93 restorations of civil and political rights were granted, and 17 restorations of civil and political rights with firearms restored were granted.
110 restorations
Pardon Notifications to Victims and District Attorneys FY19 Statistic
During FY19, the Parole Board sent 484 notifications to registered victims and district attorneys regarding ex-offenders applying for pardons.
484 notifications
Clemency Investigations Completed FY19 Statistic
In FY19, the clemency investigators completed 38,256 investigations for the Parole Board.
38,256 investigations
Parole Investigators Staffing Statistic
Fifty-three (53) parole investigators work in the Clemency Division. Forty-four (44) investigators are assigned to the field and predominantly complete post sentence investigations and profiles. Nine (9) investigators are assigned to work within the…
53 investigators
Parole Certificates Issued FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 6,835 parole certificates were issued.
6,835 certificates
Out-of-State Parole Orders FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 354 out-of-state parole orders were issued.
354 orders
Conditional Transfers FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 945 conditional transfers were processed, along with 223 out-of-state conditional transfers.
945 transfers
Supervised Reprieves FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 951 supervised reprieves were granted, along with 21 out-of-state supervised reprieves.
951 reprieves
Medical Reprieves FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 25 medical reprieves were granted.
25 reprieves
Commutations FY19 Statistic
In FY19, zero (0) commutations were granted.
0 commutations
Out-of-State ICE Orders FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 101 out-of-state ICE orders were processed.
101 orders
Total Discharges from Parole FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 8,005 offenders were discharged from parole.
8,005 discharges
Total Guidelines Decisions FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 15,535 total guidelines decisions were made.
15,535 decisions
Preliminary Revocation Hearings FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 294 preliminary revocation hearings were conducted.
294 hearings
Final Revocation Hearings FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 309 final revocation hearings were conducted.
309 hearings
Parole Population Decrease FY19 Statistic
During FY19, the population of offenders on parole under community supervision decreased from 22,047 on July 1, 2018, to 20,719 on June 30, 2019.
20,719 offenders vs. July 1, 2018 population
Cumulative Parole Supervision Population FY19 Statistic
The cumulative number of offenders under parole supervision in Georgia during FY19 was 32,057.
32,057 offenders
Parole Warrants Issued FY19 Statistic
In FY19, a total of 7,422 warrants were issued by the Parole Board.
7,422 warrants
GCIC Warrant Entries FY19 Statistic
In FY19, the GCIC Unit entered 4,196 warrants into the GCIC/NCIC system.
4,196 warrants
Parole Revocations FY19 Statistic
During FY19, the Board revoked 2,720 parole violators, returning offenders to prison to serve their sentences in confinement. The number revoked increased by 195 from the previous fiscal year.
2,720 revocations vs. FY18 revocations
Technical Violation Revocation Rate FY19 Statistic
Of the FY19 total number of revocations, less than 1% were revoked on the basis of technical violations which include, but are not limited to, drug use, curfew violations, or failure to pay fines and fees.
1%
SB174 Commutation Cases Considered FY19 Statistic
During FY2019, the Parole Board considered 2,344 cases for commutation under SB174 and commuted 144 cases that met the strict criteria of the Board.
2,344 cases considered vs. cases commuted
Out-of-State Supervision Releases FY19 Statistic
During FY19, the Interstate Compact Unit released 509 offenders to out-of-state supervision.
509 offenders
Georgia Offenders Under Active Parole Supervision in Compact States Statistic
As of June 30, 2019, there were 2,323 Georgia offenders under active parole supervision in Compact states and 1,339 other Compact state offenders on parole supervision in Georgia.
2,323 offenders vs. Compact state offenders in Georgia
ICE Rapid REPAT Releases FY19 Statistic
Via the ICE Rapid REPAT (Removal of Eligible Parolees Accepted for Transfer) Program, 100 foreign national offenders were released to ICE for deportation at an estimated cost avoidance of $5,617,178.
100 offenders vs. estimated cost avoidance (dollars)
Documents Scanned in FY19 Statistic
During FY19, 35,783 documents were scanned into the case management systems (Portal, GPEDS and TRIM system) utilized by the Board to make parole decisions.
35,783 documents
Active Lifer Offender Parole Files Scanned FY19 Statistic
There were 1,945 active lifer offender parole files scanned and 11,854 archived files imaged during FY19. Approximately 158,582 archived files remain to be imaged.
1,945 files vs. archived files imaged
New Direction Recovery Program Referrals FY19 Statistic
For FY19, 115 parolees were referred to the New Direction Recovery Program. As of June 30, 2019, 116 parolees had graduated from the program during the fiscal year and were returned to parole supervision.
115 referrals vs. graduates
Victims Visitors' Day Meetings FY19 Statistic
At the two Victims Visitors' Day events in FY19 (Gainesville and Augusta), the Parole Board met with 286 crime victims. Information was added to 170 offender case files as a result of meetings with victims and their family members.
286 victims vs. case files updated
Gainesville Victims Visitors' Day Attendance Statistic
At the Gainesville Victims Visitors' Day on October 23, 2018, the Parole Board met with 135 victims of crime including family members representing seventy-nine (79) case files. According to exit surveys, 96% of the victims stated all of their questi…
135 victims vs. case files represented
Augusta Victims Visitors' Day Attendance Statistic
At the Augusta Victims Visitors' Day on April 24, 2019, Parole Board Members met with 151 victims of crime including family members representing ninety-one (91) case files. According to exit surveys, 99% stated that all of their questions were answe…
151 victims vs. case files represented
Cumulative Victims Visitors' Days Since 2006 Statistic
Since beginning in 2006, the Georgia Office of Victim Services has hosted 31 separate Victims Visitors' Day events with 22 different judicial circuits, serving 4,135 crime victims and or family members.
4,135 victims served vs. events hosted
Victim Services Phone Calls Handled FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 10,485 phone calls from victims were handled by staff of the Georgia Office of Victim Services.
10,485 phone calls
Victim Services Correspondence Sent FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 16,660 outgoing correspondences were sent to victims in response to concerns.
16,660 correspondences
Victim Services Correspondence Received FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 8,483 correspondences were received from victims and filed with the Georgia Office of Victim Services.
8,483 correspondences
GA-V.I.P. New Registrants FY19 Statistic
For FY19, there were 3,621 new GA-V.I.P. registrants, 7,380 phone calls from victims were logged into the system, and the system made 1,064 calls to victims of crime.
3,621 registrants vs. phone calls logged
Victim Offender Dialogue Sessions Completed FY19 Statistic
In FY19, eight (8) Victim Offender Dialogue sessions were completed.
8 sessions
Victim Support Partners Volunteer Hours FY19 Statistic
During FY19, Victim Support Partners (VSPs) completed over 300 volunteer hours supporting other Georgia crime victims.
300 volunteer hours
Community Events Attended by Victim Services FY19 Statistic
In FY19, staff from the Georgia Office of Victim Services along with Victim Support Partners attended 24 community events held in various locations throughout the state, distributing nearly 2,000 informational packets.
24 events vs. informational packets distributed
Full-time Employees FY19 Statistic
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles had 187 full-time employees in FY19: 154 female and 33 male.
187 employees
Staff by Race/Ethnicity FY19 Statistic
Staff by race/ethnicity in FY19: Asian 2, Hispanic 1, Black 109, White 75.
109 Black employees vs. White employees
Staff by Age Groups FY19 Statistic
Staff by age groups in FY19: 20-29 (13), 30-39 (37), 40-49 (52), 50-59 (67), 60 Plus (18).
67 employees aged 50-59 vs. employees aged 20-29
Training Hours Delivered FY19 Statistic
In FY19, 2,128 training hours were delivered to sworn staff, 1,187 hours to non-sworn staff, totaling 5,195 agency training hours delivered.
5,195 training hours
Total Expenditures FY19 Statistic
Total expenditures for FY2019 were $17,677,229. Total funds were $18,229,113, including $96,603 in federal funds, $82,930 in other funds, and $18,049,580 in state funds.
$17.7M vs. total funds
Personal Services Expenditure FY19 Statistic
Personal Services expenditure for FY19 was $15,305,966, representing 86.5% of the budget.
$15.3M vs. percent of budget
Agency Budget Decrease FY2015-FY2018 Trend
The agency budget decreased by 70% between FY2015 and FY2018, primarily due to the creation of the Department of Community Supervision (DCS) in FY2015 under HB310 and funds transferred to DCS.
Terry Barnard Elected to Fifth Term as Chairman Finding
During FY2019, Parole Board Member Terry E. Barnard was elected by his colleagues on the Board to a fifth term as Chairman. Since the Board's creation, of the twenty-two members who served as Chairman, only five have served longer in the leadership …
David Herring Appointed to Board Finding
David J. Herring was appointed during FY2019 to serve as one of the five members of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Herring, a former Lt. Colonel with the Department of Public Safety, was appointed in August of 2018 by Governor Nathan Deal.
Clemency Division Reorganization Policy
The Clemency Division completed a structural reorganization during FY2019 to ensure the parole decision making process operates at the most efficient level possible. The Critical Analysis Unit (CAU) was established to begin work on July 1, 2019. The…
Shalandra Robertson Receives Joe Kegans Award Finding
Shalandra Robertson, the director of the Georgia Office of Victim Services, was recognized by the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) during FY19. At the APPA Winter Training Conference in Miami, Robertson received the prestigious Joe K…
Parole Board Sole Authority for Clemency Legal fact
The Board is the sole authority in the state to make informed decisions on which state inmates are deserving of parole, thereby ensuring that the state's prison beds are dedicated to the offenders who have committed the most serious crimes.
Board Established by Constitutional Amendment in 1943 Legal fact
In 1943, the Board was established through a constitutional amendment and consisted of three members. In 1973, as the prison population rose to 9,000, the Constitution was amended to increase the Board to five members. Today, as the inmate populatio…
Board Sole Authority to Commute Death Sentences Legal fact
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 commu…
History of Parole in Georgia Legal fact
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.' In 1938, the Commission was given broader powers to grant paroles without the approval o…
Life Sentence Parole Eligibility Statutory Changes Legal fact
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 con…
Life Sentence Reconsideration Policy 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.
Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System Policy
In most cases, the Board's Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System is applied which includes a time-to-serve recommendation. The guidelines account for the severity of the crime and the offender's risk to reoffend. Revisions to the guidelines were …
Three of Five Board Members Must Agree Legal fact
Three of the five board members must agree on a decision for parole to be granted.
Tentative Parole Month Can Be Rescinded Policy
The Tentative Parole Month (TPM) or 'tentative grant' can be rescinded at any time. The TPM is not a release date or a final parole release decision.
Pardon Does Not Expunge Criminal Record Legal fact
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 f…
Sex Offender Pardon Requirements Policy
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 …
2015 Pardon Notification Law Legal fact
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 regar…
72-Hour Notification for Serious Violent Felonies Policy
In FY19, the Clemency Division finalized a process to send 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 convict…
SB174 Split Sentence Commutation Provision Legal fact
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.…
Parole Board Warrants Authorized by State Law Legal fact
State law authorizes the Parole Board Members to issue warrants for the arrest of alleged parole violators.
Automatic Revocation Under O.C.G.A. § 42-9-51 Legal fact
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.
Registered Victim Notification Requirement Legal fact
Registered victims of a crime are given notification at the time the Board is considering a parole release, allowing for a period of time for the victim to send the Board information about the case (O.C.G.A. § 17-17-13).
90-Day Notification Statutory Basis Legal fact
The 90-day notification for serious violent felonies is required by O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1 and O.C.G.A. § 42-9-43(c)(1).
72-Hour Notification Statutory Basis Legal fact
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).
Parole Board Members Appointed by Governor Legal fact
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 includin…
Parole Hearings Not Held Policy
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 against clemency throughout the consideration process.
Monthly Board Meetings Policy Policy
The Board conducts monthly Parole Board Meetings at which policy changes are considered and operational updates are provided. Offender cases are not discussed and parole decisions are not made at the monthly Board Meetings.
GPEDS Electronic Case Management Policy
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 file…
Critical Analysis Unit Responsibilities Policy
The Critical Analysis Unit (CAU) mission 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 continu…
CAU Collaborates on Security Threat Groups Policy
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 requireme…
Parolees Supervised by Department of Community Supervision Policy
Offenders released on parole are supervised by the Department of Community Supervision.
Intermediate Sanctions Reduce Technical Revocations Policy
The appropriate recommendations and enforcement of intermediate sanctions, such as treatment referral, administrative hearings, electronic monitoring or GPS monitoring, day reporting centers and parole detention centers results in the low percentage…
Parole Revocation Hearings Conducted via Video Conferencing Policy
Parole Revocation Hearings are conducted from the Board's central office in Atlanta via video conferencing or in person at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson. Use of this technology has reduced travel costs for all three age…
District Operations Managers P.O.S.T. Certified Policy
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 annually complete 20 hours of P.O.S.T. training which includes weapons requalification. District operations …
ICAOS Membership Policy
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles, in FY19, was a member of the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS). ICAOS is comprised of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.
New Direction Recovery Program Description Policy
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 supervis…
Victim Offender Dialogue Program Description Policy
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 offe…
Victim Support Partners Network Policy
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 …
GA-V.I.P. Automated Victim Information System Policy
GA-V.I.P. (Georgia Victim Information Program) is a 24-hour automated information system providing registered crime victims and/or their family members with access to information about their offender. Upon registering, victims are issued a PIN (Pers…
GOVS Represents Three State Agencies Policy
The Georgia Office of Victim Services represents three state agencies: the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Community Supervision.
Sworn Staff Training Requirements Policy
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 ann…
Federal Funds from VOCA Grant Finding
FY19 Federal Funds are associated with a VOCA (Victims of Crime) Grant.
Terry Barnard Serves on Board of Community Supervision Finding
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 paro…
Brian Owens Serves on Board of Community Supervision Finding
As Vice Chairman, Mr. Owens also serves on the Board of Community Supervision. The board has regulatory oversight of the Department of Community Supervision which is responsible for the supervision of felony offenders on probation and parole in Geor…
Jacqueline Bunn Appointed to State Commission on Family Violence Finding
In August of 2018, Ms. Bunn was appointed by Governor Deal to the State Commission on Family Violence. The commission works to educate and raise awareness about family violence in Georgia and evaluates the need for additional state services. Ms. Bun…
Brian Owens Former GDC Commissioner Finding
Brian Owens was appointed to the Board on February 1, 2015, by Governor Nathan Deal. The former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections began his career as a parole officer in 1993. On January 8, 2009, Mr. Owens was sworn in as Commiss…
Christopher Barnett Appointed Executive Director Finding
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…
Rita Rocker Appointed Deputy Executive Director Finding
Rita Rocker was appointed Deputy Executive Director on June 1, 2015. Ms. Rocker began her career in 1989 as an accounting clerk with the Engineering Unit of the Georgia Department of Corrections. In 1997, Ms. Rocker transferred to the State Board of…
Eligible Inmates Automatically Considered for Parole Policy
Eligible inmates are automatically considered for parole. Three of the five board members must agree on a decision. In FY19, there were 26,450 offender files initiated for consideration by the Clemency Division.
Life-Sentenced Inmates May Complete Work Release Policy
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.
Expedited Parole Reviews for Life-Sentenced Inmates Policy
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.
Parole Board Engages Stakeholders Through 4 E's Policy
In FY19, the agency implemented and again pursued its operational priorities or the 4 E's: Engaging Stakeholders, Educating the Community, Encouraging Active Participation, and Enhancing Operations. Parole staff engaged officials with the Georgia De…
Parole Board Participates in GDC Family Day Policy
Parole leaders and staff participated in the Department of Corrections' Family Day to educate and encourage inmate families to participate in the offender's reentry plans. Board Members and agency staff routinely participated in inmate program gradu…
Parole Leadership Civic Presentations Finding
The agency presented to civic groups across Georgia, educating audiences about parole and its necessary role in the criminal justice process. Parole leadership spoke to groups in Columbus, Gainesville, Reidsville, Forsyth, Macon, Hinesville and Henr…
Parole Board Continues Developing Risk Assessment Tools Finding
Georgia's Parole Board continues to develop new risk assessment tools, striving to improve and include more data into the parole decision making process. The Board continues to make the process as inclusive and transparent as state law will allow.
Parole Success Defined by Public Safety Finding
Parole success is defined by public safety and is not achieved by maintaining the status quo or based on past achievements. Georgia's effective parole process allows the state's finite prison bed allotment to be dedicated to the most serious violent…
Board Swiftly Addresses Parole Violations Finding
In FY2019, the Board again acted swiftly when necessary to protect the public by addressing parole violations by offenders and applying appropriate sanctions to include revocation of the offender if necessary.
More Than 45,000 Notifications Sent in FY19 Statistic
During the fiscal year, more than forty-five (45) thousand notifications regarding parole were sent to stakeholders to include victims. The notifications requested information on the parole eligible offender cases the Board is mandated by state law …
45,000 notifications
More Than 33,000 Notifications by Clemency Division Statistic
In FY19, the Clemency Division of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles made more than 33,000 notifications to stakeholders regarding parole cases. Each notification allows for stakeholder input regarding the pending parole decision.
33,000 notifications
More Than 6,000 Secondary Solicitation Notifications Statistic
In FY19, more than 6,000 secondary solicitation notifications were sent, doubling the number sent during the previous fiscal year.
6,000 notifications vs. previous fiscal year (approximate)
Prison Commitments Increased Third Consecutive Year Trend
Prison commitments increased for a third consecutive year during FY19, while parole releases decreased for a fifth consecutive year.
Parole Completion Rate Comparison Georgia vs USA Trend
The report includes a chart showing Georgia's parole completion rates consistently above the national average from FY15 through FY19. Georgia's rate was approximately 70% in FY19 while the USA rate was below 60%. National figures are from the Bureau…
Parole Revocations Trend FY15-FY19 Trend
Parole revocations increased from 2,655 in FY15 to 2,681 in FY16, 2,505 in FY17, 2,525 in FY18, and 2,720 in FY19.
Cost Avoidance Trend FY15-FY19 Trend
Annual cost avoidance from parole supervision: FY15 $451 million, FY16 $450 million, FY17 $377 million, FY18 $450 million, FY19 more than $433 million.
Cost Per Day Trend FY15-FY19 Trend
Cost per day for incarceration vs parole: FY15 $52.81 vs $4.49; FY16 $52.95 vs $3.54; FY17 $53.76 vs $2.12; FY18 $61.00 vs $2.11; FY19 $61.73 vs $2.18.
PIC Points Trend FY17-FY19 Trend
PIC (Performance Incentive Credit) points awarded: FY17 23,958; FY18 35,839; FY19 37,012.
No Data Gap Identified in Report Data gap
The report does not explicitly identify any data gaps in its data collection or reporting processes.
Cost Avoidance Calculation Methodology Methodology note
The fiscal year cost avoidance is calculated based on the FY19 cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia ($61.73) compared to the community supervision cost per day ($2.18).
Parole Success Rate Definition Methodology note
Georgia's parole success rate is defined as offenders successfully completing their parole.
National Parole Figures from Bureau of Justice Statistics Methodology note
National figures for parole completion rates are from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Sources
2 cited sources backing this research.
Primary
Official report
Primary
Official report
Key Entities
Organizations, people, facilities, and other named entities referenced in this research.
American Probation and Parole Association
[organization]
Brian Owens
[person]
Bureau of Justice Statistics
[organization]
Christopher Barnett
[person]
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
[organization]
Critical Analysis Unit
[program]
David J. Herring
[person]
Department of Community Supervision
[organization]
GA-V.I.P.
[program]
Georgia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison
[facility]
Georgia Office of Victim Services
[organization]
GPEDS
[program]
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
[organization]
Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision
[organization]
Jacqueline Bunn
[person]
James W. Mills
[person]
New Direction Recovery Program
[program]
Rita Rocker
[person]
Senate Bill 174
[legislation]
Sexual Offender Registration Review Board
[organization]
Shalandra Robertson
[person]
State Board of Pardons and Paroles
[organization]
State Commission on Family Violence
[organization]
Terry E. Barnard
[person]
Treutlen Probation Detention Center
[facility]
Related Topics
Research topics that draw on data from this collection.
Parole & Sentencing
Georgia's parole system functions as a powerful but opaque gatekeeper, releasing only a fraction of eligible people despite a 72% success rate and $343 million in annual cost avoidance. Meanwhile, life sentences have ballooned to one in five people in Georgia prisons, fueled by truth-in-sentencing policies and a reluctance to use release mechanisms, even as the state pours $634 million in new corrections spending into a system marked by extreme racial disparities and a near-total lack of compassionate release structures.
6,560 data points
Policy & Advocacy
Georgia's prison system consumes $1.8 billion in taxpayer funds annually while failing to deliver safety, rehabilitation, or basic human dignity. This article maps the policy architecture that perpetuates these failures, the advocacy strategies challenging them, and the evidence-based reforms that could redirect Georgia's punitive machinery toward genuine public safety.
4,838 data points
Recidivism & Reentry
Georgia’s public narrative touts a low three-year felony reconviction rate of 25–27%, but this narrow metric masks a deeper crisis: the state releases 14,000–16,000 people annually with minimal reentry support, contributing to a national five-year rearrest rate of 76.6%. With nearly one in three incarcerated people over 50, spiraling healthcare costs, and a parole system that achieves a 72% successful completion rate, Georgia faces a stark choice between investing in evidence-based reentry or absorbing the escalating fiscal and human costs of system failure.
6,376 data points