Parole
BOPP Annual Report FY2024 — Georgia Parole Board
The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles FY 2024 Annual Report documents the Board's clemency and parole operations, reporting 5,443 offenders released on parole during the fiscal year and a 72% parole completion rate, which exceeds the estimated national average of 60%. The report details significant operational milestones including full automation of the pardon application process, revalidation of the Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System, and the appointment of two new Board members by Governor Kemp. Key statistics include 19,328 inmate cases considered, 69,375 clemency votes cast, 1,437 parole revocations, and an estimated cost avoidance of more than $343 million from parole supervision versus incarceration.
Key Findings
The most impactful data from this research collection.
72%
Parole completion rate above national average
Statistic$343.0M
Annual cost avoidance from parole supervision
Statistic$68.51
Incarceration vs. parole cost per day
Statistic1%
Technical parole violations under 1%
StatisticAll Data Points
127 verified data points extracted from primary sources.
Offenders released on parole in FY24 Statistic
In Fiscal Year 2024, through the Board's executive clemency authority, 5,443 offenders were released from prison to serve the remainder of their prison sentence on parole.
5,443 offenders vs. FY23 parole releases
Parole releases decreased in FY24 Statistic
During FY24, the Parole Board released 5,443 offenders from prison. This total represented 420 fewer parole board-initiated releases from the previous fiscal year.
420 fewer releases vs. FY23 releases
Georgia parole completion rate FY24 Statistic
Georgia's percentage of parolees successfully completing parole in FY24 was 72%. The national average was estimated to be approximately 60%.
72% vs. National average (estimated)
Total clemency votes cast in FY24 Statistic
In FY24, the five Board Members made a total of 69,375 votes. The total represents all Board decisions requiring a vote and multiple votes or decisions for each offender case during the fiscal year.
69,375 votes
Inmate cases considered in FY24 Statistic
The total number of parole eligible offender cases considered by the Board Members during the fiscal year was 19,328.
19,328 cases
Annual cost avoidance from parole supervision FY24 Statistic
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 343 million dollars for FY24.
$343.0M vs. FY23 cost avoidance
Cost per day of incarceration vs. parole supervision FY24 Statistic
The fiscal year cost avoidance is calculated based on the FY24 cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia ($68.51) compared to the community supervision cost per day ($2.89).
$68.51 vs. Community supervision cost per day
Offender files initiated for consideration in FY24 Statistic
In FY24, there were 16,972 offender files initiated for consideration by the Clemency Division.
16,972 files
GPEDS notifications generated in FY24 Statistic
For FY24, 41,271 notifications (all types) were generated by GPEDS (Georgia Parole Evidence-based Data System).
41,271 notifications
Preconditions to parole imposed in FY24 Statistic
There were 2,404 preconditions to parole imposed by the Board on inmates during the fiscal year.
2,404 preconditions
PIC points granted in FY24 Statistic
In FY24, the Parole Board members granted 29,962 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.
29,962 PIC points vs. FY23 PIC points
Second solicitation/notification to judges and prosecutors in FY24 Statistic
In FY24, 2,324 case notifications or second solicitations/notifications were sent to judges and prosecutors regarding offenders convicted of serious felonies.
2,324 notifications
90-day notifications sent in FY24 Statistic
In FY24, the Board sent 90-day notifications in 208 cases regarding serious violent felony parole consideration. (O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1.) & (O.C.G.A. § 42-9-43(c) (1))
208 cases
Life-sentenced inmates granted/released in FY24 Statistic
In FY24, 67 lifers serving for a Serious Violent Felony were granted/released. Total lifers considered for parole in FY24 was 2,046.
67 offenders vs. Total lifers considered
Average time served for life-sentenced serious violent felons in FY24 Statistic
In FY 2024, the average time served on a life sentence prior to a release was 29.2 years. In 1973, life-sentenced inmates convicted of serious violent felonies served less than nine years in prison, on average, before being released. By the year 200…
29.2 years vs. Average years served in 1973
Pardon notifications to district attorneys in FY24 Statistic
During FY24, the Parole Board sent 617 notifications to district attorneys regarding ex-offenders applying for pardons.
617 notifications
Pardon and restoration of rights applications received in FY24 Statistic
In FY24, 845 pardon and restoration of rights applications were received and 446 were granted (all types). There were 118 fewer applications granted during the fiscal year compared to the previous year.
845 applications vs. Applications granted
Clemency investigations completed in FY24 Statistic
In FY24, the clemency investigators completed 34,936 investigations for the Parole Board.
34,936 investigations
Final reviews completed by Critical Analysis Unit in FY24 Statistic
During FY24, 9,193 final reviews were completed and hundreds of random audits were completed to verify the accuracy of case evaluations, risk level assessments and assigned crime severity levels.
9,193 final reviews
Parole population decrease during FY24 Statistic
During Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), the population of offenders on parole under community supervision decreased from 16,369 on July 1, 2023, to 15,105 on June 30, 2024.
15,105 offenders vs. Population on July 1, 2023
Offenders discharged from parole in FY24 Statistic
The number of offenders discharged from parole was 4,930 in FY24.
4,930 offenders
Cumulative offenders under parole supervision in FY24 Statistic
The cumulative number of offenders under parole supervision during the fiscal year was 22,406.
22,406 offenders
Parole warrants issued in FY24 Statistic
In FY24, a total of 3,747 warrants were issued by the Parole Board.
3,747 warrants
Warrants entered into GCIC/NCIC system in FY24 Statistic
In FY24, the GCIC Unit entered 2,100 warrants into the GCIC/NCIC system.
2,100 warrants
Parole revocations in FY24 Statistic
During FY24, the Board revoked 1,437 parole violators returning the offenders to prison to serve their sentences in confinement. The number revoked decreased by 115 from the previous fiscal year.
1,437 revocations vs. FY23 revocations
Technical parole violations under 1% in FY24 Statistic
Of the FY24 total number of revocations, less than 1% were revoked based on technical violations which include, but not limited to; drug use, curfew violations, or failure to pay fines and fees.
1%
Final revocation hearings conducted in FY24 Statistic
Parole Board Members conducted 272 final revocation hearings during FY24.
272 hearings
SB174 commutation cases considered in FY24 Statistic
During FY 2024, the Parole Board considered 761 cases for commutation under SB174 and commuted nine (9) cases that met the strict criteria of the Board.
761 cases considered vs. Cases commuted
Offenders released to out-of-state supervision in FY24 Statistic
During FY24, the Interstate Compact Unit released 222 offenders to out-of-state supervision.
222 offenders
Georgia offenders under parole supervision in Compact states Statistic
As of June 30, 2024, there were 2,143 Georgia offenders under active parole supervision in Compact states and 1,349 other Compact state offenders on parole supervision in Georgia.
2,143 offenders vs. Other state offenders supervised in Georgia
Foreign national offenders released to ICE in FY24 Statistic
Via the ICE Rapid REPAT (Removal of Eligible Parolees Accepted for Transfer) Program, fourteen (14) foreign national offenders were released to ICE for deportation at an estimated cost avoidance of $2,530,348.
14 offenders vs. Estimated cost avoidance (dollars)
Documents scanned into case management systems in FY24 Statistic
During FY24, 38,110 documents were scanned into the case management systems (Portal, GPEDS and TRIM system) utilized by the Board to make parole decisions.
38,110 documents
Active lifer parole files scanned in FY24 Statistic
There were 1,016 active lifer offender parole files scanned, and 10,109 archived files imaged during the fiscal year. There are approximately 127,459 archived files remaining to be imaged.
1,016 files vs. Archived files imaged
New Direction Recovery Program referrals in FY24 Statistic
For FY24, thirty (30) parolees were referred to the New Direction Recovery Program. As of June 30, 2024, nineteen (19) parolees had graduated from the program during the fiscal year and were returned to parole supervision.
30 parolees referred vs. Parolees graduated
Victim phone calls handled in FY24 Statistic
In FY24, 13,189 phone calls from or to victims were handled by staff, 29,665 outgoing correspondences were sent to victims in response to concerns, and 9,320 correspondences were received from victims and filed with the office.
13,189 phone calls vs. Outgoing correspondences
GA-V.I.P. registrants in FY24 Statistic
For FY24, there were 3,078 new GA-V.I.P. registrants, and 4,480 phone calls from victims were logged into the system. The system made 2,097 calls to victims.
3,078 new registrants vs. Phone calls logged
Victim Offender Dialogues initiated in FY24 Statistic
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, five (5) VOD dialogues were initiated. Five (5) more dialogues are in the process of being completed in FY 2025.
5 dialogues
Victim Impact Sessions conducted in FY24 Statistic
In FY24, nine (9) Victim Impact Sessions were conducted. The sessions were conducted in the Southern, Ocmulgee, Columbia, Cherokee, Augusta, Waycross, Dougherty, Clayton, and Alcovy judicial circuits. Since April 2022, nineteen (19) Victim Impact Se…
9 sessions vs. Victims who met with Board since April 2022
Total full-time employees at Parole Board Statistic
The agency employs 179 full-time employees as of June 30, 2024. The agency employs 11 U.S. military veterans.
179 employees vs. Military veterans
Employee demographics by race Statistic
As of June 30, 2024, the agency's workforce included: Asian 2, Black 101, White 74, Hispanic 1, Other 1.
101 Black employees vs. White employees
Employee demographics by gender Statistic
As of June 30, 2024, the agency employed 148 females and 31 males.
148 female employees vs. Male employees
Training hours taken by staff in FY24 Statistic
Sworn staff completed 3,245 training hours and non-sworn staff completed 711 training hours in FY24. Training hours delivered by Parole Training Office totaled 1,262.
3,245 hours (sworn staff) vs. Hours (non-sworn staff)
FY24 total expenditures Statistic
FY24 total expenditures for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles were $20,240,569.85. Personal services accounted for $17,602,670.30 (86.96% of expenditures).
$20.2M vs. Personal services expenditures
FY24 budget by program Statistic
FY 2024 Budget by program: Board Administration $2,429,519.00 (11.8853%), Clemency Decisions $17,266,713.00 (84.4692%), Victim Services $745,204.00 (3.6455%). Total Funds: $20,441,436.00.
$20.4M
FY24 expenditures by fund type Statistic
FY 2024 expenditures by fund type: State Funds $20,050,228.34, Federal Funds $78,069.11, Other Funds $112,272.40. Total Funds: $20,240,569.85.
$20.1M vs. Federal funds
Board established through constitutional amendment in 1943 Legal fact
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 S…
Board expanded to five members in 1973 Legal fact
In 1973, as the prison population rose to 9,000, the Constitution was amended to increase the Board to five members. Today, with an inmate population at approximately 50,000, the Board still consists of five voting members.
Board is sole authority for death sentence commutation 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.
Parole eligibility for seven deadly sins offenses 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…
Parole Decision Guidelines updated July 1, 2023 Policy
The guidelines were most recently updated by the Parole Board with changes taking effect July 1, 2023. The Board changed the crime severity level for the offenses of criminal street gang activity and arson 1. The offense of criminal street gang acti…
Pardon application process fully automated in FY24 Policy
Requirements to download, print, complete and then mail Georgia's pardon application are no longer necessary as the Georgia Parole Board's new electronic filing system became active in FY 2024. Applicants now complete an electronic application and E…
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.
Sex offender pardon application 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. As a part of the …
SB174 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.…
Joyette Holmes appointed to Parole Board Case detail
Governor Brian Kemp appointed Joyette Holmes to serve a seven-year term. Holmes was appointed in January of 2024. Holmes began her career as a Defense Attorney in the District Courts of Baltimore County, Maryland. She has served as the Chief Magistr…
Wayne Bennett appointed to Parole Board Case detail
In March, Wayne Bennett was appointed to the Board by Governor Kemp. Bennett is the former sheriff of Glynn County, where he served for twenty years. Mr. Bennett served as sheriff of Glynn County from 1992 to 2012. Mr. Bennett is the first former Ge…
David Herring elected Chair for FY2025 Case detail
At the June 2024 operational meeting, the five-member Georgia Parole Board selected David J. Herring to serve as chairman for Fiscal Year 2025. Herring will serve the one-year term through June 30, 2025. Prior to his appointment to the Board in 2018…
80th anniversary celebration of Parole Board Case detail
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles celebrated 80 years as former Board Members and employees joined current staff at the State Capitol where the first parole board meetings were held. 'Enhancing Public Safety through Informed Clemency Decisions,…
Parole Board workforce size Statistic
Our small, dedicated workforce is made up of 179 individuals who all have important roles they must excel at in order to support the board's decisions.
179 employees
Parole investigators staffing Statistic
Fifty-seven (57) investigators work in the Investigations Unit. Thirty-six (36) investigators are assigned to the field and complete post sentence investigations and profiles for all offenders sentenced by Georgia courts. Ten (10) investigators are …
57 investigators vs. Field investigators
Parole completion rate trend above national average Trend
For the past fiscal year, this agency again placed among the nation's highest rate of successful parole completions, exceeding a 70% mark again. Meanwhile, the national average for FY 2024 was an estimated 60%.
Declining parole releases trend FY19-FY24 Trend
Parole releases decreased during FY24. The FY19-FY24 parole release figures show: FY19: 10,429; FY20: 9,455; FY21: 8,634; FY22: 6,245; FY23: 5,863; FY24: 5,443.
Declining parole revocations trend FY19-FY24 Trend
Parole revocations FY19-FY24: FY19: 2,720; FY20: 2,199; FY21: 2,373; FY22: 1,825; FY23: 1,552; FY24: 1,437.
PIC awards trend FY19-FY24 Trend
PICs Awarded FY19-FY24: FY19: 37,012; FY20: 39,374; FY21: 36,257; FY22: 30,313; FY23: 26,855; FY24: 29,962.
Increasing time served for life sentences trend 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 …
Cost avoidance trend FY19-FY24 Trend
Cost avoidance by fiscal year: FY24: $343 million; FY23: $319 million; FY22: $376 million; FY21: $404 million; FY20: $399 million.
Cost per day trend FY19-FY24 Trend
Cost per day for incarceration vs. parole: FY19: $61.73 vs $2.18; FY20: $61.73 vs $2.19; FY21: $62.23 vs $1.80; FY22: $62.23 vs $2.22; FY23: $59.14 vs $2.67; FY24: $68.51 vs $2.89.
Parole hearings are not held in Georgia Finding
Parole hearings are not held. However, each offender entering the Georgia prison system is interviewed by parole staff.
Three of five board members must agree on parole decision Legal fact
Three of the five board members must agree on a decision. Not only is a majority of three votes required to grant or deny parole, but other votes may also be required for each individual parole case.
Parole Board members appointed by Governor to seven-year terms 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 came to Georgia in 1908 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.' Parole could be granted upon the approval of the full Commission and the Governor.
Parole Board created as independent agency in 1943 Legal fact
The General Assembly passed legislation and it was signed into law in February of 1943, creating the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as an independent agency to administer executive clemency.
72-hour statutory notification before parole release Legal fact
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)
Registered victims receive parole consideration notification Legal fact
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)
2015 law created pardon notification process 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. This allows victims and prosecutors the opportunity to send the Board information about…
2017 legislation requiring 90-day notification for serious violent felonies Legal fact
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 fi…
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. Upon notification that an offender has violated the conditions of release, the district operations manager reviews the violations and the cas…
Automatic revocation under O.C.G.A. § 42-9-51 Legal fact
A revocation can occur during a parole revocation hearing, when the offender signs a waiver removing the need for a revocation hearing, or automatic revocation if the conditions exist according to O.C.G.A. § 42-9-51.
Parole Decision Guidelines not applied to life sentences Policy
Although the guidelines are not applied to life sentence reviews, the Board maintains a comprehensive parole file in each case and the members review each case thoroughly before voting to grant or deny parole.
Board Members conduct monthly operational meetings Policy
The Board conducts monthly Parole Board Meetings at which policy changes are considered and operational updates are provided. Offender cases are not discussed, and parole decisions are not made at the monthly Board Meetings.
Tentative Parole Month can be rescinded Policy
The Tentative Parole Month or 'tentative grant' can be rescinded at any time. The TPM is not a release date or a final parole release decision. A release date that is set can be rescinded at any time prior to the release.
Parole can be delayed or denied for programming non-completion Policy
Parole could be delayed or denied because of the offender not completing required programming, prison misconduct, or because of detainers, warrants or new sentences.
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 …
Parole Board partners with CDX Board for GCIC disposition process Policy
In FY 2024, the agency partnered with the Criminal Data Exchange (CDX) Board, Georgia Crime Information Center, Governor's Office, and State Legislature to centralize the GCIC disposition process.
Board revalidated Guidelines Rating System and Sex Offender Risk Assessment Tool Policy
In FY 2024, in an effort to better serve public safety, the Board revalidated its Guidelines Rating System and Sex Offender Risk Assessment Tool and expanded the electronic notifications and solicitation processes.
Law enforcement engagement with GACP districts Finding
In FY 2024, the agency increased contacts with local police through the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) by presenting information about parole to six different GACP Districts. Law enforcement engagement included presentations to Distr…
Engagement with Georgia Gang Investigators Association and ICE Finding
In FY 2024, the agency engaged the Georgia Gang Investigators Association, and the Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agency.
National conference presentations by Parole Board staff Finding
At the Association of Paroling Authorities International Conference staff conducted a workshop for attendees titled, 'Enhancing Clemency Decision Making Through Effective Community Partnerships.' At the American Correctional Association's (ACA) Wint…
Victim Impact Sessions introduced in FY2022 Policy
During Fiscal Year 2022, Victim Impact Sessions (VIS) were introduced. These sessions provide an opportunity for victims whose offender is within twelve to eighteen months of parole consideration to discuss their case in a small group setting with a…
Victim Offender Dialogue program requirements Policy
The Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) program offers a structured, safe environment for victims of violent crimes to engage in a one-on-one meeting with their offenders. Initiated solely by the victim, this program requires the offender's voluntary par…
Victim Support Partners program Policy
The Victim Support Partners (VSPs) program is a comprehensive network throughout the entire state, made up of crime victims registered with the Georgia Office of Victim Services. Within this network, dedicated victim volunteers spend time offering a…
National Crime Victims' Rights Week participation Finding
The Georgia Office of Victim Services (GOVS) had another successful National Crime Victims' Rights Week in April 2024. The office participated in twelve different events around the state, including organizing and hosting a panel discussion titled, '…
GOVS represents three state agencies Policy
The Georgia Office of Victim Services (GOVS) represents three state agencies: the Georgia Department of Corrections, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision. GOVS provides essential services to vic…
GA-V.I.P. automated victim information system Policy
The Georgia Victim Information Program, GA-V.I.P., is a 24-hour automated information system. It provides registered crime victims and their family members with access to information about their offender. Victims can register with GA-V.I.P. by compl…
New Direction Recovery Program as alternative to revocation 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…
Intermediate sanctions for parole violations Policy
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. Intermediate sanctions include treatment referral, administrative hearings, electronic monitorin…
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. For video conference hearings, the offender, the officer of recor…
District operations managers assigned to ten judicial districts Policy
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…
ICAOS membership and responsibilities Policy
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles, in FY24, 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, th…
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 Deescalation and Community Policing training. Non-sworn staff must complete a minimum of eight hours of training annu…
Critical Analysis Unit on call 24/7 Policy
CAU personnel are on call 24-hours a day, seven days a week, assisting the Clemency Division with operations and responses to critical incidents and major investigations involving parole eligible offenders housed by the Georgia Department of Correct…
FY24 clemency actions summary Statistic
FY24 Clemency Actions: Parole Certificates 3,890; Out-of-State Parole Orders 197; Conditional Transfers 751; Out-of-State Conditional Transfers 120; Supervised Reprieves 461; Out-of-State Supervised Reprieves 0; Commutations 0; Medical Reprieves 10;…
5,443 total prison releases by parole vs. Total discharges from parole
Pardons granted breakdown FY24 Statistic
Pardons Granted FY24: Applications received (all types – pardons and RR) 845; Pardons granted without firearms being restored 169; Pardons granted with firearms being restored 177; Restorations of civil and political rights 90; Restorations of civil…
845 applications received vs. Total applications granted
Board case consideration breakdown FY24 Statistic
In FY24, the Board considered 19,328 cases for releases or future tentative parole months: 2,046 life sentenced cases; 12,257 guideline cases; 5,025 short sentence cases.
19,328 cases
Employee tenure distribution Statistic
Employees by tenure as of June 30, 2024: 00-10 Years: 74; 11-20 Years: 46; 21-30 Years: 41; 31-40 Years: 17; 41+ Years: 1.
74 employees (0-10 years) vs. Employees (11-20 years)
Employee age distribution Statistic
Employees by age group as of June 30, 2024: 21-30: 16; 31-40: 36; 41-50: 49; 51-60: 55; 61-70: 23.
55 employees (51-60) vs. Employees (21-30)
Workforce revitalization trend Trend
An agency trend is a revitalized workforce rebalancing itself with younger cohorts. In FY 2024, the agency offered great internship opportunities including a paid internship program.
Outstanding reserve request for GCIC disposition backlog Statistic
Note: Expenditures do not account for an outstanding reserve request to utilize $156,905 in FY24 funds in FY25 for the GCIC disposition backlog overtime project.
$156,905
Terry Barnard served as chair from 2014-2024 Case detail
Terry E. Barnard is the Board's second longest serving chair in its 80-year history. He served the Board as chairman from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2017, and then from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2024. Mr. Barnard has been appointed to two full terms …
Christopher Barnett appointed Executive Director in 2015 Case detail
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 in 2015 Case detail
Rita Rocker was appointed Deputy Executive Director on June 1, 2015. She served as the Director of the Georgia Office of Victim Services from September of 2020 until June 30, 2024. Ms. Rocker began her career in 1989 as an accounting clerk with the …
Quote from David Herring on serving as chairman Quote
Thank you for this opportunity. I do not take this opportunity lightly. I appreciate the position that I am being given. I can promise you this, like I have always done, I will serve this board with hard work and integrity whether I am the chairman …
Quote from Joyette Holmes on appointment Quote
I am grateful as well to the Governor for the appointment, grateful for him believing me to be a good addition to this board and to this team that does so much work across the state.
Quote from Wayne Bennett on appointment Quote
I am honored to serve at the request of Governor Kemp. These first few days have been a tremendous learning experience, and I've realized that the employees of this agency are truly dedicated to their roles and to doing their part for public safety.
Quote from Chris Barnett on stakeholders Quote
Everyone is a stakeholder in the parole process.
Quote from David Herring on victims Quote
I am grateful to these victims for agreeing to meet today. These victims are making their voices heard and becoming a necessary part of the parole decision-making process.
Quote from Meg Heap on victims Quote
As a victim advocate early in my career, I know that the impact is very real on the victim. I am thankful, although painful for them, that these victims decided to meet with us in Albany.
Quote from David Herring on parole decision-making process Quote
The clemency and parole decision-making process in Georgia is unique and proven, and our staff delivered an excellent presentation. It's because of our parole staff that as board members we can make informed scientific decisions in the interest of p…
Quote from Chris Barnett on predecessors Quote
The work of our predecessors set the foundation for our operations today. From implementing guidelines to transitioning to electronic processes, past board members, leadership and agency staff have served ethically and with integrity to serve Georgi…
Parole completion rate data from Bureau of Justice Statistics Methodology note
The parole completion rates chart in the report cites national figures from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The chart shows Georgia consistently above the U.S. average from FY20 through FY24, with the U.S. average estimated for FY24.
Cost avoidance calculation methodology Methodology note
The fiscal year cost avoidance is calculated based on the FY24 cost per day to incarcerate a state inmate in Georgia ($68.51) compared to the community supervision cost per day ($2.89). The cost per day figures are from the Georgia Department of Cor…
Parole Decision Guidelines Rating System methodology Methodology note
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 …
GPEDS electronic case management system Methodology note
The process of preparing a case for consideration by the Board is completed electronically in GPEDS (Georgia Parole Evidence-based Data System). GPEDS is effective and efficient allowing Board Members to access the offender's case material and make …
Parole case file contents Methodology note
The parole file that the Board Members can consider includes: aggravating circumstances, victim impact statements, prosecutor/judicial statements, legal investigations, the parole guidelines recommendation, inmate progress reports, inmate interviews…
Documents protected from public disclosure Legal fact
Documents protected by Georgia law from public disclosure include but are not limited to: victim correspondence, the offender's medical information, GCIC/NCIC reports, the hearing examiner's executive summary of the offender's case, the Board ballot…
Public documents in parole file Legal fact
Many documents in the parole file on the offender are public. They may include (if applicable to the offender) but are not limited to: sentencing documents, notifications to the offender regarding the Board's decision, notice of consideration for pa…
Parole consideration process steps Methodology note
The parole consideration process includes: conviction sentence computed by DOC Offender Administration; case initialized with Parole Eligibility Date (PED) set and legal investigations ordered; DA input solicited at time the legal is written for all…
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.
Ahmaud Arbery Case
[case]
American Correctional Association
[organization]
American Probation and Parole Association
[organization]
Association of Paroling Authorities International
[organization]
Brian Kemp
[person]
Bureau of Justice Statistics
[organization]
Christopher Barnett
[person]
David J. Herring
[person]
Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police
[organization]
Georgia Crime Information Center
[organization]
Georgia Department of Community Supervision
[organization]
Georgia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison
[facility]
Georgia Gang Investigators Association
[organization]
Georgia Office of Victim Services
[organization]
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
[organization]
Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision
[organization]
Joyette Holmes
[person]
Meg Heap
[person]
New Direction Recovery Program
[program]
Rita Rocker
[person]
Senate Bill 174
[legislation]
State Board of Pardons and Paroles
[organization]
Terry E. Barnard
[person]
Wayne Bennett
[person]
Related Topics
Research topics that draw on data from this collection.
Budget & Spending
The Georgia Department of Corrections now operates within roughly a $1.8 billion annual appropriation, with actual spending rising from $1.53 billion in FY2024 to $1.91 billion in FY2025 and $634 million in new corrections appropriations approved in 2025. Yet line-item analysis shows flat food spending at $0.54–$0.55 per meal, a nearly 50% correctional officer vacancy rate, and rising homicides even as millions flow to surveillance and extraction vendors. This page traces the budget's trajectory, its neglect points, and the missing accountability infrastructure.
6,080 data points
Communications & Technology
Georgia has built a $50 million contraband technology apparatus to block illicit cellphones—yet record deaths, soaring violence, and a flood of recovered phones reveal a system that enriches private vendors and the state rather than ensuring safety. While the Department of Corrections collects $8 million per year in phone-call kickbacks, families are forced to pay outrageous commissary markups and communication fees that push them into debt, making them the hidden financiers of a broken prison system.
3,363 data points
Oversight & Accountability
Georgia's prison system operates within a near-total accountability vacuum. Despite 142 homicides between 2018 and 2023, over $50 million in settled claims for death or injury, and 428 staff arrests for on-duty conduct, the state lacks independent oversight, relies on an elected-coroner system that obscures causes of death in 97.5% of counties, and has erected procedural barriers—most notably the grievance-exhaustion requirement under the PLRA—that systematically prevent judicial scrutiny. A $634 million spending infusion in 2025 was allocated without parallel reforms to enforce transparency or consequences, leaving a system that remains opaque, violent, and structurally incapable of correcting itself.
6,952 data points
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
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