Parole and Corrections have a common stakeholder in the families of those incarcerated in Georgia prisons. Family support is critical for the offender if he or she is to be successful upon a return to society. For that reason the Parole Board and the Department of Corrections (GDC) work collaboratively to assist inmate families in their efforts to be supportive of their relatives who are serving prison sentences.
Parole Director Chris Barnett, Clemency Director James Williams and Field Services Director Rick Jacobs were recently invited to attend a meeting of GDC's Citizens Advisory Committee and made a short presentation showing the parole process in Georgia. Barnett and staff answered questions from the committee members. The meetings are held at Corrections' headquarters in Forsyth.
For the first time in many years the Parole Board was able to participate in GDC's Family Day this past January where Clemency staff met with offender families to answer questions about the inmate's parole status and likelihood of release. It turned out to be one of the largest events ever hosted by the Department of Corrections. (More on opposite page)
Parole and Corrections Partner to Create a Safer Georgia
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Parole Board Members visit prisons speaking to inmates about doing their part toward reentering society. Completing programs and following prison rules are keys that the Board considers when considering inmates for parole. Board Member Braxton Cotton recently spoke to inmates at Georgia State Prison and at Riverbend Correctional Facility.
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