Georgia parole review [Summer 2007]

Parole Review

Garland R. Hunt, Esq. Chairman
L. Gale Buckner Vice-Chair
Garfield Hammonds, Jr.
Member Milton E. "Buddy" Nix,
Jr. Member Robert E. Keller Member
The Parole Review is published by the Office of Public Affairs
Director: Scheree C. Lipscomb
Public Information Officer: Kim Patton-Johnson
Public Information Specialist: Cathy Charles

State Board of Pardons and Paroles

Summer 2007

Say Goodbye to Paper Files, Imaging is the Way of the Future

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles held a symbolic file shredding ceremony on March 21, 2007 to celebrate the implementation of our imaging project.

As the number of field staff who remember a field notebook drops below 100, and the case management system enters its second generation, the agency has been quietly working toward its next major automation project. Budget constraints over the years slowed the progress to a great extent, but the agency continued to work on small components of the project with the intention of future integration into the Clemency Online Navigation System (CONS).

CONS will convert paper driven business processes into electronic data and images using a work flow management system, which will allow multiple users access to the data. The ability to complete multiple business processes in parallel greatly increases the efficiency of case preparation for parole consideration.

Imaging, the production of graphic images from digitally generated data, is an important component of CONS. Three years ago, the Board began working on its first imaging project in conjunction with the Secretary of State's Division of Archives and History.

Inside this issue:
Letter from Board Member 2
Moral Reconation Therapy 3 Victims Visitor's Day 4 Parole Officer Graduates 5 Parole Association of 5 Georgia Conference

The Archives Division among other functions, stores the inactive records of state agencies until they have reached the end of their retention period. The Parole Board alone has 9500 cubic feet of storage at the archive's facility.

Building on the prior collaboration with the Secretary of State's Office, in 2005, the two

agencies applied for and obtained a $187,000 grant from the National Historical Publications

and Records Commission.

Over the next 18 months, As a result of the successful collaboration, between the Parole

the two agencies began Board and the Secretary of State's Division of Archives and

developing a model imaging system which is based on the principles of

History, former Secretary of State Cathy Cox and

best practices for digital the Georgia Historical

document management. Its Records Advisory Board

purpose is two fold.

presented the Parole

It was developed as a pilot project to demonstrate the ability of state agencies to convert paper documents

Board with the 2004 Award for Excellence in State Agency Archival Program Development.

Continued on page 2

SUMMER 2007

A Message from Bob

CONS continued from page 1
(files) to digital images and as a practical business solution for the agency to begin the process of converting the Board's closed files to digital images, cataloged in a database which is easily accessible. Ultimately the imaging database will be accessible from any location statewide and will encompass the investigative database as well.

Even though I have more than thirty years experience in our criminal justice system, I must confess my ignorance about the Pardons and Paroles organization. As the District Attorney, I have voiced objection to Walt about a person being released prior to serving the amount of time I felt he should serve. That happened infrequently so my lack of knowledge remained until I was appointed.
When I did arrive, I renewed my relationship with Mr. Nix, Ms. Buckner and Mr. Hammonds. I had worked with each one of them in our former professions. While I did not know our Chairman, I was very impressed when I was introduced to him. I did know Beth Oxford, Danny Hunter, John Prevost ,Jan Moss, Amber Samples and Joey Morris because of their previous assignments in the Jonesboro Parole Office. I knew Jan because I was her son's baseball coach.
Well, everything changed once I became a member of the team. This is the most efficiently operated agency in state government. The professionalism demonstrated by staff is outstanding. I am so impressed with everyone who works for this agency.
Everyone has gone the extra mile to make me feel welcome. I am treated far better than I deserve. To say that I love my job is an understatement. I am extremely honored and humbled that Governor Perdue appointed me to this position. I pledge to the Governor and each member of our agency that I will do everything in my power to uphold the excellent reputation of the Board. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and staff to fulfill our mission of protecting Georgia's citizens by "making informed parole decisions and transitioning offenders back into the community."

With successful results, the imaging process has been implemented and has already been integrated into routine business processes of the Clemency Division. It is a key piece of the CONS project and though a majority of CONS is still being developed, the clemency division is excited to begin the migration from a paper-based system to an electronic system. Beyond the obvious advantages of being liberated from bulky, cumbersome paper files, CONS will increase the efficiency of case preparation for parole consideration. It will also increase security and integrity of data in individual case records.
Currently , due to the limitations of a paper based system, cases are prepared in a linear or assembly line fashion requiring that the paper file be in hand while individual processes are being completed. CONS will allow multiple processes to be performed simultaneously.
Anticipation is building among the clemency staff as they prepare to replace old business processes with new innovative procedures. One new concept that will be piloted with the implementation of CONS is the "Team" model for case preparation and processing.
The Clemency Division is comprised of six units: Records, Processing, Guidelines, Hearing Examiners, Dispositions, and Pardon Administration . A new parole file originates in the Records unit and travels through each unit until finally reaching Dispositions. Utilizing the "Team" concept, one person from each unit will form a team and perform every required task on a case from origination to parole release.
Pictured below is the first "Team" selected to pilot the "Team" model. Jenner Jenkins, pictured alone will manage the team. The group photo shows the actual "Team" . From left row seated: Valerie Kirksey and Daphane Evans-Huff , standing: Tamara Floyd and Mary Ann Anderson.
CONS will be the system to take the Parole Board into the next generation of work flow automation, information management, and improved long term statistical evaluation.

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SUMMER 2007

Offenders Think Like Criminals!

Offenders believe everyone lies, cheats, and steals. Offenders believe no one can be trusted. Offenders believe that rules and laws don't apply to them. Offenders look for short term pleasures But never consider long-term consequences. Offenders view relationships from an exploitive position. Offenders have a negative identity.

We have all wondered what makes offenders act the way they do. Their behavior seems illogical, and we cannot figure out why they make such poor decisions. There must be an explanation and there is an explanation. The decisions made by offenders do not make sense to us because offenders do not think the way that we think.
That premise is the foundation of Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT).

MRT Training at GPSTC from left: Parole Officer Christopher Elrod, Katherine D. Burnette Vice President of Clinical & Field Services at Correctional Counseling, Inc., Sr. Parole Officer Natalie Ligon, and Management Specialist Anita Cloud

MRT is a trademarked, copyrighted cognitive-behavioral treatment program for offenders, substance abusers, and others with resistant anti-social personalities.
The program was developed by Kenneth D. Robinson and Gregory L. Little. Katherine D. Burnette, E. Stephen Swan, George Schellman and many others were instrumental in the implementation of the program in the late 1980s.

Accountability is a major component; a parolee must see that the reason they are where they are is because of the decisions they made, not bad luck, poor upbringing or negative peer groups. Blaming one's current position on others is notated as a "Victim Statement" and victim statements are not allowed in MRT.

Moral Reconation Therapy originated with the implementation of a prison-based drug treatment therapeutic community in Shelby County (Memphis, TN) in 1972.
Moral Reconation refers to the way in which decision are made. The root of Reconation is "Conation". Conation is defined as the mind, body, and soul coming together to make a decision. Reconation refers to changing the way in which decisions are made. Therefore, Moral Reconation Therapy seeks to raise the moral decision-making strategy of the offender.

MRT is comprised of 12 steps made to raise the moral reasoning of the parolee. If a parolee shows through his behavior that he is not ready for the next step, or failed to learn from a previous step, he can be made to repeat any or all steps. Research has shown, for every step a parolee completes, he is less likely to commit another criminal act. But the lesson of the step must be learned and applied to be effective. A parolee can not put forth minimal effort and hope to pass MRT. His behavior/actions/decisions will always tell on him.

Moral Reconation Therapy has its roots in the theories of psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg (Theory of Moral Development) and Erik Erikson (Theory of Personality Development). It is believed, if offenders change the way in which they make decisions to a higher stage of moral reasoning, they will be less likely to commit future criminal acts.
The Georgia Parole Board began utilizing MRT during 2005. It is currently being taught in district parole offices throughout the state. On average, it takes about six months to complete the program. The program requires parolees to report to class at least once a week. During class, parolees provide completed workbook exercises (completed outside class) or testimonies related to workbook activities. The course work is intense and requires a great deal of commitment.

When graduation day finally comes, the parolees feel a great sense of accomplishment, because they have truly earned that MRT certificate, and can look forward to a brighter, more productive future without fear of returning to the criminal justice system.
The Parole Board generally has three to four hundred parolees enrolled in classes throughout the state at any given time. The classes are taught by parole officers who have taken the necessary course to become Certified MRT Facilitators. Field Operations Officer Christopher L. Barnett and Senior Parole Officer Willie Rutland were the first to be selected as MRT "Train the Trainers" two years ago and therefore are able to train others on how to facilitate the MRT Program.
continued on page 5

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SUMMER 2007
The Board Visits Victims in Douglasville, Albany and Tifton
Parole Board members and staff recently traveled to the Douglasville, Albany and Tifton to meet one on one with victims of crime. "We want to empower victims by providing them with information concerning their inmate, stated Parole Board Vice-Chairman L. Gale Buckner during her welcome address. "The more victims know about the parole process, their rights and the services available to them, the safer they feel." As the Parole Board continues its efforts to take state government out of Atlanta and into the communities, a challenge set forth by the Governor, they have plans to continue traveling around the state to meet with victims. The Board has already visited Macon, Dalton, and Savannah. Victims Visitor's Day is coordinated by the Department of Corrections and Parole Board Office of Victim Services in conjunction with the local District Attorney's Victim Advocacy Office.
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SUMMER 2007

Offenders Think Like Criminals
continued from page 3
Recently, Chris and Willie have been joined by Senior Parole Officer Natalie Ligon and Senior Parole Officer Christopher Elrod as MRT "Train the Trainers." To date, the Georgia Parole Board has 174 Certified MRT Facilitators. Twenty-five of those facilitators graduated from MRT training on May 18, 2007. Katherine D. Burnette, who has worked very closely with the developers of MRT was on hand for the training class.
Research and on going field studies have shown individuals that have completed the MRT Program have thirty three percent less likelihood of re-offending than those who have not received the training.
"A twenty three percent reduction in re-offending, calculates into twenty three percent fewer VICTIMS of criminal acts."

The 28th Annual Parole Association of Georgia
Training Conference
Will be held November 28-30, 2007 at the
Emerald Pointe Hotel & Conference Center
Lake Lanier Islands, Atlanta Georgia
The conference dates coincide with Lake Lanier's Magical Nights of Lights pictured above. Please support the PAOG by participating in the on-line auction, the silent auction during the conference and other fund raisers to be announced in the coming days. Your support is greatly appreciated and the proceeds

The 46th Basic Parole Officer Class Graduated April 20, 2007

Pictured from bottom row, left to right: Carmeletta Brent, SMPC, Pamela Thrift, Jesup, Vicky Rollins, Training, Nina Burgess, Griffin, Asia Cobb, N. Fulton, Patricia Johnson, Hartwell, second row left: Dang Ly, Dekalb, Felicia White, SMPC, Jeanene Rivera, Dekalb, April Adams, Monroe, Meghan McCoy, Douglas, Christina Beasley, Conyers, Kimberly Williams, Monroe, Vivian Michel, SMPC, Jason Hall, Albany, third row left: Brandon Ferguson, Dekalb, Benjamin Colkmire, Lafayette, Christopher Kimner, N. Fulton, Karrie Reed, Dekalb, Julie Rogers, Cordele, Amy Reynolds, Rome, Matthew Covington, Rome, Ennis Clark, N. Fulton, Nicholas Braden, Douglasville, Newton Maddox, raining, fourth row left: Bert Flewellen, Training, Elmer Atchley, Christopher Person, SMPC, Byron Logan, SMPC, Curtis Ward, Dekalb, Curtis Ricks, Dekalb, Gerald Pearson, Jonesboro.

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Mission Statement The mission of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles is to enhance public safety by making
informed parole decisions and transitioning offenders back into the community. Vision
A parole system that leads to a safe and crime-free Georgia. Core Values
We value Ethics, Integrity, Fairness and Honesty.
State Board of Pardons and Paroles Summer 2007
Fifth Floor, East Tower Floyd Veterans Memorial Building 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Phone: (404) 651-5897 Fax: (404) 463-6627
We are on the web www.pap.state.ga.us
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