Georgia Parole Review Fall 2018 | Page 12

Engaging the State's Inmate Population

"Are you Parole Ready?"

Georgia Parole Review

Engaging the state’s inmate population is another important part of the Board’s public safety role. Board Member David Herring toured the Coastal Transitional Center in Savannah in August. Herring told residents there that the Board is watching their progress.

"The Board wants the word to spread that the Parole Board is watching the progress of the inmate population to determine who is parole ready and ready to return to their community prepared to be a successful returning citizen," Herring said.

At the Coastal Transitional Center one resident learned of his pending parole from Herring.

Residents at the Georgia Department of Corrections Coastal Transitional Center are employed in the community, earning a wage, helping pay the cost of their incarceration and assisting companies as they begin reentering society.

Parole Board staff attended the 9th Smith State Prison Evangelical Fellowship day (Korean Ministry) in August. Parole Board Member David Herring and Executive Director of Parole Chris Barnett were among the staff attending.

“This is an important event for the inmate population. Groups like these are critical to the reentry process and they are necessary to assist in filling service gaps as offenders leave prison. It was a wonderful event to be a part of,” said Herring.

Herring spoke to the inmates and told them to show something for the time spent in prison.

“I look for progress from the offender when considering eligible offenders for parole. Inmates need to be spending their time preparing to leave prison and return to the community ready to be a benefit to society,” he stated.

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