A Second Chance for Georgia: Fixing Parole With the Reform It Desperately Needs

In 2025, Georgia lawmakers had a chance to deliver real change to the state’s broken parole system. Senate Bill 25 (SB25) was introduced with bold ideas: parole hearings, written decisions, and accountability. But despite early momentum, SB25 never made it out of committee. The bill stalled—and so did the hope of thousands of incarcerated Georgians who have been trapped in a system that refuses to offer a real path to redemption.

But we’re not giving up. In 2026, we need to push harder. And this time, we need to go even further. Georgia needs what we’re calling the Second Chance Parole Reform Act—a more complete, more transparent, more humane parole system. (#2ndChanceParoleReform)

Why Georgia’s Parole System Is Failing

Georgia’s parole process is opaque, arbitrary, and broken by design. Inmates are considered for parole behind closed doors, often with no hearing, no opportunity to speak, and no explanation when denied.

Even those with life-with-parole sentences are waiting 30, 40, sometimes 50 years or more to be released—if they’re ever released at all. Many die in prison long after they’ve transformed. As one man wrote from behind bars:

“My roommate had done 41 years. No DRs in 30. After receiving yet another set-off from the parole board – he just gave up. He stopped talking and started sleeping all the time. He died at 59, not from violence, but from hopelessness. The state decided to punish him until the day he died.”

In 2024 alone, Georgia saw 332 deaths in custody, including over 100 confirmed homicides. Suicides and medical neglect took many more. Inmates are dying from despair, and the parole board holds the key—but refuses to open the door 1.

What SB25 Tried to Do

  • Allowed parole-eligible inmates to request a video hearing before the full board
  • Required written reasons when parole was denied or delayed
  • Mandated notice to all board members if a parole denial was imminent
  • Made these steps legally enforceable through mandamus

It was a strong step toward fairness and transparency—but we may only get one chance to get this right, so here’s what we propose:

The Second Chance Parole Reform Act

Here’s how we improve the broken parole system in a meaningful and fail way, using examples from other states:

1. Presumptive Parole: Grant parole automatically to those who meet defined benchmarks (good behavior, completed programs, reentry plan)—unless there’s clear cause not to.

2. Clear, Written Parole Criteria: Require the parole board to publish a list of actions inmates can take to increase their chances. Tell people what they need to do to earn release.

3. Guaranteed Hearings with Full Board: Every parole-eligible inmate should get a video or in-person hearing with the full board, with a transcript available.

4. Written Reasons for Denial: Require fact-based, detailed explanations every time parole is denied, citing specific program needs or behavioral concerns.

5. Shorter Reconsideration Intervals: Limit parole deferrals to three years maximum—or one year for elderly or terminally ill prisoners.

6. Individualized Parole Plans: Every inmate should receive a parole case plan upon entering prison, showing what they need to complete.

7. Annual Public Report: Require the parole board to publish data on grant rates, reasons for denials, and departures from guidelines.

8. Balanced Victim Input: Ensure victim statements are weighed alongside risk assessments, rehabilitation progress, and expert input.

9. Independent Oversight: Create a parole ombudsman or inspector general to review denials and investigate inconsistencies.

10. Fast-Track for Geriatric or Medical Parole: Require decisions within 30 days for terminally ill or elderly inmates.

Why This Matters Now

Georgia’s parole board claims it uses guidelines to determine who gets released—but the reality is, those guidelines are suggestions, not rules. Inmates who do everything right—stay charge-free, complete programs, get support letters—are still routinely denied with no explanation.

The current law (O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45(a)) requires the parole board to establish clear eligibility standards. But it does not require them to explain how someone actually earns parole. That’s the loophole. And that’s what we need to close.

To date, courts have sided with the board, ruling that inmates have no right to parole—only the right to be considered. But “considered” is meaningless if the board refuses to explain itself, ignores its own guidelines, and locks people away for life despite rehabilitation.

This is how we end up with:

  • People doing 40+ years on life-with-parole sentences
  • People dying in prison after decades of good behavior
  • Hundreds of deaths a year with no accountability
  • A prison system that is over-crowded and unsafe

The lack of parole is directly tied to the crisis of violence, hopelessness, and overcrowding in Georgia’s prisons. If we want to fix that, we start by letting people go—especially the elderly, the sick, and those who’ve clearly changed.

If you want to understand the full scope of this crisis, read these:

Decarceration: A Solution to Georgia’s Prison Crisis

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Nutrition Neglect: How Georgia’s Prison Food Is Fueling Violence

Invisible Scars

Separate Gangs, Save Lives

What You Can Do

The Second Chance Parole Reform Act won’t pass unless we demand it. Use ImpactJustice.AI to email your legislators, the parole board, and the media. Tell them you support #2ndChanceParoleReform.

No one should die in prison because a system refused to listen.

It’s time to open the door.


Read the proposed legislation:

Georgia General Assembly

SECOND CHANCE PAROLE REFORM ACT OF 2026

AN ACT

To amend Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, so as to improve parole transparency, fairness, and accountability; to revise provisions regarding parole eligibility, hearings, written findings, and board procedures; to establish presumptive parole standards; to require individualized parole case plans and public reporting; to provide for legislative oversight; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to penal institutions, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

42-9-43.2. Second Chance Parole Reform Provisions.

(a) Presumptive Parole Eligibility.

(1) Any eligible offender who has completed all required programming, maintained a record of good conduct for three years, and established a viable reentry plan shall be granted parole at their earliest parole eligibility date unless the board determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that release poses an unreasonable risk to public safety.

(2) If parole is denied under this subsection, the board shall issue a written explanation citing the specific risk factors or institutional concerns that justify denial.

(b) Parole Hearings.

(1) Any eligible offender who:

(A) is serving a sentence of life with parole,

(B) has served at least 20 years of their sentence,

may submit a written request for a parole consideration hearing.

(2) Within 60 days of receiving such a request, the board shall hold a video or in-person hearing, with all members of the board present.

(3) The hearing shall include review of the following factors:

(A) The circumstances and severity of the offense;

(B) The offender’s institutional behavior and program completions;

(C) Risk assessments and reentry preparation;

(D) Statements of support from family, community, or clergy;

(E) Input from victims or their families;

(F) Prosecutorial and judicial input;

(G) Any other relevant mitigating or aggravating evidence.

(c) Written Findings and Explanation of Decisions.

(1) For any decision to deny or delay parole after a hearing under this Code section, the board shall issue written findings of fact explaining its decision and referencing the evidence relied upon.

(2) Such findings shall be provided to the offender, included in the case file, and retained for public reporting purposes, subject to privacy redactions.

(d) Reconsideration Interval Limitations.

(1) The board shall not defer reconsideration of parole for longer than three years from the date of denial.

(2) If the offender is age 55 or older, or has a chronic or terminal medical condition verified by a licensed physician, reconsideration shall occur annually.

(e) Parole Case Plan.

(1) Within 90 days of an offender’s intake, the Department of Corrections, in consultation with the board, shall create an individualized parole case plan outlining:

(A) Program requirements;

(B) Behavioral expectations;

(C) Educational or vocational goals;

(D) Reentry preparation benchmarks.

(2) The board shall consider completion of this plan when making parole decisions.

(f) Public Transparency and Annual Reporting.

(1) The board shall publish an annual report detailing:

(A) Total number of parole decisions issued;

(B) Grant rates by offense class and sentence type;

(C) Reasons for denial, categorized by primary factors;

(D) Demographic breakdown of parole decisions;

(E) Deviations from parole guidelines.

(g) Independent Oversight.

(1) A Parole Oversight Ombudsman shall be appointed by the Governor to:

(A) Audit parole decisions;

(B) Investigate complaints;

(C) Ensure compliance with this Code section;

(D) Report findings annually to the legislature.

(h) Geriatric and Medical Parole Expedited Review.

(1) Any offender over age 62, or diagnosed as terminally ill with life expectancy under two years, shall be entitled to a parole review within 30 days of request.

(2) The board shall expedite consideration and issue a written decision within 15 days of the hearing.

(i) Mandatory Participation of Board Members.

(1) If three or more board members vote to deny parole after any hearing under this section, the other members shall be notified and allowed 14 days to confer before the denial becomes final.

(j) Mandamus Enforcement.

(1) The duties imposed under this Code section shall be deemed nondiscretionary.

(2) If the board fails to comply with its obligations under this section, such failure may be subject to mandamus under O.C.G.A. § 9-6-20.

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.

GPS
Footnotes
  1. https://gps.press/gdc-mortality-statistics/#2024-mortality[]

3 thoughts on “A Second Chance for Georgia: Fixing Parole With the Reform It Desperately Needs”

  1. Yes!! Thank you all so much for helping us push this bill to the public and legislators. We are looking forward to a big turn out of the people in 2026 . As we will be going into a hearing with the subcommittee on the bill. As it gets closer to time we will definitely be keeping all informed. My name is Stephanie Willoughby President of 2nd Chance Parole Reform founders of bill sb25 .

    Reply
    • GPS has updated ImpactJustice.AI to advocate for the Second Chance Parole Reform Act any time the user selects Parole as a discussion topic. We hope that people will use this to push the information to media outlets as well as our legislature.

      Reply
  2. Thank you for helping pushing the Bill although my loved one is gone because of this horrendous things that they do and not helping I hope and pray this bill will be passed in lawmakers will make better decisions and think of the humane people that are behind bars instead of like their animals and don’t care or they have no rights this needs to change!

    Reply

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