Successful reentry partnerships that work!criminal justice reform
Returning citizens' chances for success are increasing in Georgia. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is partnering with state agencies to improve an offender's opportunities during incarceration and after leaving prison.
The Parole Board continues to engage offenders who remain incarcerated as a step toward their release.
The spring and summer is graduation time in Department of Corrections' facilities. During FY 2018, the system awarded a record number of GED certificates, more than three thousand. Foothills Education Charter High School also conducted several graduations awarding deserving offenders with their diplomas.
Parole Board Members and staff attended GED graduation ceremonies at Smith State Prison, Rogers State Prison and Burruss Correctional Training Center. High school graduations were attended by staff at Phillips State Prison, Lee Arrendale State Prison and the Burruss Correctional Training Center.
"This achievement of getting a high school diploma or GED gives these men and women greater opportunities as they look forward to one day reentering society. As a result of criminal justice reforms a safer Georgia is being realized as offenders leave prison prepared to be successful. The Department of Corrections and the Foothills Education Charter High School are doing a great job preparing our returning citizens," stated Chris Barnett, the Executive Director of Parole.
At several of the graduation ceremonies, Parole Board Members announced that a graduate would be paroled and awarded the parole certificate.
Parole staff routinely visit prisons and other state operated facilities to meet with offenders encouraging them to be "parole ready." Program completion and good institutional conduct are emphasized during these meetings.
"The State Board of Pardons and Paroles partners with the Department of Corrections in the successful reentry of offenders in a continued effort to ensure public safety. As a clemency board we recognize that prepared offenders are more successful when returning to their communities. We applaud Governor Nathan Deal, through Criminal Justice Reform, and the Department of Corrections for recognizing the need to strengthen inmate programming to include educational opportunities which are keys to successful reentry," stated Parole Board Member Terry Barnard.
In June, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles partnered with several state agencies at Georgia's 2nd Annual Reentry Summit.
Agency and community organizations, service providers and nonprofit groups participated in the day of work
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Parole Review/Spring/Summer 2018
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