Report on parole [Vol. 1, no. 3 (Summer 1998)]

Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

Vol. 1 No. 3 Summer 1998

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Griffin Parole Officer

Mitch Beddingfield checks

Chairman's message

2

High-tech improves safety

9

on Susan, a parolee under

Board's "Road Meeting" hits Augusta 3

Citizens help weave safety net

10

his supervision who has also been assigned a volunteer to

Offender program expands

4

In the field

12

help with her transition.

Victims' programs updates

6

Parole officers graduate

15

Story on page 10

Aftermath of crime

8

Violent-crime lifers statistics

16

Message from Chairman Walter Ray

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1996 and Georgia's

serving as its chairman since crime problems with leading

" ci~i}inal justice experts as well as with victims' groups, concerned citizens, and our
%:,,,,,,.,~ front-line officers. I value those contributions from diverse perspectives which

often point us toward solutions we would not have seen otherwise.

For too long criminal justice agencies -including the Parole Board -have

handled the state's crime problems within a closed circuit of criminal justice practi-

tioners. Although the public was concerned about rising crime, disparate sentenc-

ing, and crowded prisons, only a small minority recognized the interconnection of

those issues. We in the system were too busy scrambling to handle emergency situa-

tions to properly educate the public about the complex and interdependent nature

of criminal justice components. Naturally, that prevented us from enlisting citizens'

assistance and support.

In recent years the Parole Board endorsed a radically different philosophy

about how we would conduct business: We solicited input on how to improve our

services to Georgians, we listened, and we changed.

In many ways that change was made possible by the convergence on the

parole panel of five Board members with law-enforcement or government-service

backgrounds. Certainly I was molded by my twelve years of service in the Georgia

Senate. Just as I was honored to represent my friends and neighbors in that capacity

I view my position on the Parole Board as another opportunity to serve my fellow

citizens by both increasing their personal safety and by educating them about the

criminal justice system so they can make informed decisions about public policy.

The Board has become more responsive to the public in every area of

its authority. We are tougher in our parole decisions, we expanded and refined

our services to victims and the community, we tightened parole supervision,

and we engaged the assistance of the community in efforts to

"We are tougher in our parole decisions, we expanded and refined our services to victims

reduce crime. This relationship to the public is mutually rewarding as we watch our agency improve while private citizens are empowered. We have gained momentum by this heightened attitude of public service and we are dedicated to creating even stronger alliances with the community.

and the community, we tightened parole supervision, and we engaged the assistance of the community in efforts

In this newsletter we present evidence of our connection and responsibility to Georgia communities. You will see statistics showing the Board's tough decision-making policy as well as articles about the agency's effective community-based transitional programs and innovative restorative justice projects.
The Georgia Board is a national leader in parole policy and

to reduce crime."

supervision techniques. It is dynamic - not just changing with the

times, but leading the times. We intend to maintain that leadership

position by staying closely focused on our mission to protect the public. And we

will do it by working with the public. We will continue to listen and we will contin-

ue to improve. That is our pledge to Georgians.

Board's "Road Meeting" hits Augusta

Jts part of its ongoing initiative to
.:.,J}.:ommunicate with citizens about
.,:{ .fja.role in their communities, the Parole Board held its monthlymeeting in Augusta on May 7. Board Members, agency managers, and Augusta-area parole staff members informed the audience about current Board practices and philosophy as well as parole programs under way in Richmond, Burke, Jefferson, McDuffie, and Columbia counties.
During the past year, the Board has conducted monthly meetings in other areas of the state, including Rome, Columbus, and Hartwell.
Chairman Walter Ray says the community Board meetings are always productive. "We come away with a better understanding of local issues, and we believe the community understands more about how parole is part of the public safety network. The Augusta meeting was one of our best forums."
Future Board meeting are planned for Savannah and Albany.

Augusta Mayor Larry Sconyers welcomes parole personnel and visitors to his hometown.

Augusta-area civic leaders and criminal justice practitioners attended the Parole Board business meeting held at the Augusta Boat House on May 7.

. . .J t. .

Agency commits to offender training program

r?.l~m~he Board is expanding a train-
~i~i ing program for parolees that
.)t.... parole officers believe makes a significant improvement in the offenders' readjustment to society. In May the two originators of the program, Elizabeth Fabiano, M.C.A., and Frank Porporino, Ph.D., of Ottawa, Canada, trained 20 additional parole officer "coaches" in the Cognitive Skills training program, bringing the total up to nearly 60 trainers for the agency.
The 70-hour program was created by Fabiano and Porporino while working in Canadian correctional and community-based programs. The success of the program in Canada led the pair to formalize the program structure in 1985 and introduce it to other correctional systems. It now operates in England, Germany, Spain, Australia, all Scandinavian countries, as well as many U.S. states..
"Even German psychologists became enthusiastic," Fabiano says, "because they recognized the issues covered in the program transcend culture and can be applied to any environment where faulty thinking is interfering with success in society."
What makes the training so effective in a correctional setting, according to program experts, is that offenders typically lack normal social and interpretive skills, such as anger management, negotiation, and seeing the big picture, and the acquisition of any of these skills brings almost immediate reinforcement.
Georgia parole instructors conduct the classes in district parole offices, typically in the evening, in twice-weekly two-hour segments. Because the classes rely

Students present program material to other parole officers role playing as offenders.
Course Instructor Liz Fabiano (left) critiques student performances along with veteran agency instructors Pam Hutchinson (center) and Kathy Ruddy.

Students work on group assignments during the intensive week-long training.
Cognitive Skills founders Frank Poporino and Liz Fabiano (above) developed the course in Canada and have successfully introduced it to the U.S., many Western European countries, and now Australia.

on interactive learning and generate lively discussion, parolees reporting straight from a long work day find the study stimulating.
The 40-hour training at the Board's North Georgia Training Academy in Gainesville required students to "coach" classes of their fellow parole officers as offenders. Meanwhile evaluators assess the student coach's command of the subject, ease in generating classroom participation, and ability to respond to offenders' questions.
"Follow through with discussion," says Fabiano to one student. "You are dealing with offenders who will not accept this concept just because it makes sense to you." Then she points out the student's comfort in presenting the material.
"This is also one of the best classes we have taught,":Porporino says at the end of the fourth day of training. "They are enthusiastic and competent and they are going to be changing lives in Georgia."
Metro Investigations Chief Parole Officer Debbie Timms says the week's training has challenged her. "This program is designed for high-need offenders who are always the most skeptical. I'm very much aware that many hours will be required to prepare for each class. This is a real commitment."
Cognitive Skills classes for parolees are ongoing; new instructors should begin their classes in late summer or early fall according to Beth Oxford, program coordinator. The Georgia program, including the instructor training, is federally funded.
For more information about Cognitive Skills, please visit the Board Web site at www2.state.ga.us/Departments/PAP under the News section,
Features subsection.

''They [class members] are enthusiastic and competent, and they are going to be changing lives in Georgia."

Investigators increase victim contact

":::R:.pilot program for parole investigators and officers to interview crime vic-
,f.,.3#ms during their case investigations was expanded statewide on June 1.
..,:{ :this change in gathering information for post-sentence investigations will make victims' views more accessible to the voting Board Members as they make parole decisions.
Victims or their survivors, of twenty-four of the most serious crimes, are now receiving letters from the investigators conducting the Board's Legal Investigations. The letter invites a victim to contact the investigator, typically by telephone, and share information about the crime and its continuing impact. These views then become a confidential part of the Board's most important investigative document.
The initiative is intended to add to the information gained by the District Attorney's Victim Impact Statement and through correspondence and contact with the Victim Services Office. The new interview contact with victims by the local parole staff demonstrates, at a community level, how Parole is involved with and concerned about victims.

'This year the Board canceled or postponed parole in nearly 95% of cases in which victim or community protests were lodged against release.

Restorative community work pilot begins
In June three pilot districts began Restorative Community Work Projects. Through RCWP parolees will perform uncompensated work with approved, non-profit community agencies as a sanction following an administrative hearing for certain technical violations of parole. The pilot sites are the districts of
Savannah, Fitzgerald, and Gainesville I
Clarksville, all of which have on-site restorative justice coordinators to manage the program under the direction of district chiefs. The Community Based Services Division of the Board will plan, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the pilot which will run for at least a year.

Trixie Lee, former Assistant Director, is now Director of Victim Services, filling the role formerly held by Silas Moore who, as executive advisor to the Board, will design and create even more services for victims.

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Restorative justice panel demonstrates mission
John Prevost (in foreground) and the Board's
Restorative Justice Coordinators (1. to r. Crystal
Teasley, David Durgin, and Dr. William Burnham Carter) are shown at left during a skit presentation portraying an offender being "sentenced" to community service by a citizen panel. The mock hearing was part of a training session on the Board's restorative justice program which was presented at the 5th annual state victim assistance conference May 11 and 12 at the Georgia Public Training Center in Forsyth. Also participating in the training were Project Manager Dee Bell and Tom McBrayer of Board Research.

Savannah-area parolees begin community service

State parolees are now performing uncompensated community work projects in Savannah as part of the Parole Board's Restorative Community Work Projects program. Three parolees who committed low-level technical violations of parole are spending their Saturdays cleaning out dog pens at the Chatham County Humane Society. This is the first time that parolees have been required to fulfill community service assignments, which is usually associated with probation.
The Board this year introduced the Restorative Justice Project, of which the Work Projects phase is a part. Federally-funded Restorative Justice Coordinators were placed in parole offices in Savannah, Fitzgerald, and
Gainesville I Clarkesville to run a pilot
study on the community-focused program which encompasses three initiatives: to provide direct services to vic-

tims, victim advocates, and victim organizations; to develop communication between the community, victims, and the Board; and to design and direct a pilot program for reparative work projects for certain administratively sanctioned parolees. Dr. William Burnham Carter began his duties as Savannah's Restorative Justice Coordinator in March.
Parolees who are accused of violating certain low-level technical conditions of their parole and who are not considered a danger to the community are brought before local parole officials at the Savannah Parole Center for an administrative hearing. If found guilty, the parolee and the supervising parole officer meet with Dr. Carter to receive the parolee's assignment for community service. The Humane Society is the first facility approved for parolee placement; others are being developed.

""""'60 LE

From inside the criminal justice system: One of Parole's own deals with aftermath of crime

f er working in the criminal jus-

ce field for nearly a quarter of a

ntury, first in probation and

then in parole, Gerald Horsley knew

better than most that violent crime

could strike anyone. And then, after

one phone call from Atlanta police in

January 1997, he abruptly realized the

difference between knowing and

believing. His 24-year-old daughter,

Angie, had been found in her

Buckhead apartment, murdered.

In May of this year Angie's for-

mer boyfriend was sentenced to life

after he admitted killing her when she

refused to reconcile with him. The con-

viction signaled a marker on the heal-

ing journey for Gerald and provides a

frame for looking back at those first

months after the crime.

Gerald says that when he

returned to his work as manager of the

Conyers Parole Office, he was just

going through the motions. "But being

;';.,....,...,...,......,...z.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.1.,~":''''''<'-"-"'-"''k.:' here, among people who
I know how Important 1t were like family, was

is to restore some sense important."

of order to lives that

Gerald also resumed

,

another part of his job:

.~~Y~...~.~~~. ~.~~!!~r~.~.:.._.......~ supervising a small case-

load of parolees. "Some

wondered how I could work with

offenders again," he says, "but the

reaction from my parolees was sup-

portive. Many were openly upset;

some were flushed with anger, others

had tears welled up in their eyes. A lot

of parolees have lost family members

to violence and they connected to me

not as a parole officer but someone

who shared a common tragedy."

"At first it was all I could do just

to make it through the day," Gerald

says. "There were no victims' groups

convenient to our home and to drive

into Atlanta for a meeting seemed

more than I could handle. Fortunately

our family had great support from our

community, church, and co-workers,

and other friends, some I had not

heard from in 30 years."

He talked to others with similar tragedies, like Elaine and Gordon Rondeau, who assist the Board with victim issues, and whose 29-year-old daughter was murdered in Chicago. Helping most of all were the frequent calls from a family friend whose 15year-old son had died three years earlier and who was able to explain the stages of grief.
"After about six months the fog began to lift," Gerald says, "But I was sensitized to the undercurrent of conversation much more than before."
When the ex-wife of a parolee called to report his parole violations, Gerald listened, jotted down notes on the technical violations, then heard himself suddenly cut through the rambling recitation. "Are you scared," he asked. The woman paused. "Yes," she answered and then hesitated. "I see him in the woods across the street." Gerald quickly got a Parole Board warrant and arrested the man whose behavior signaled impending danger.
"The law-enforcement and court representatives have been wonderful throughout this ordeal," Gerald says. " I realize that by my working in the system I had an advantage most victims don't. The process can seem so cold and impersonal that without that human sensitivity you can feel alienated and confused." For that reason he appreciates his own agency's efforts to help victims during another part of the criminal justice process that is both scary and confusing. " I know how important it is to restore some sense of order to lives that have been shattered."
Gerald says he will always be in the process of healing but that his work in criminal justice remains important to him. On a bookcase shelf overlooking his desk a framed portrait of Angie lies tucked between parole manuals and criminal code books, a poignant reminder that crime statistics are merely symbols for personal tragedies.

High-tech case management improves safety and saves money
)y the end of July Georgia's 326
) parole officers were using a state-
E. ., of-the-art case management sys-
tem to weave an even tighter web of control over the state's 20,000 parolees. Remarkably, the software package was developed in-house by parole staff for only $118,000 - a fraction of the halfto one-million dollar price tag being quoted by software developers.
Already garnering recognition for its cost-effective innovation, the program will be showcased nationally at the American Probation and Parole Association conference in August.
The software program - Field Log of Interactive Data or "FLOID" allows officers to electronically record to their laptop computers case information about parolees such as home contacts, drug screens, and employment

progress. The efficient system replaces the manual "sole source" documentation system used since Georgia's first parole officers began monitoring parolees in 1943. Now, after officers download their field case notes at the end of the day, local and headquarters parole authorities can access a contemporaneous account of each parolee under supervision in Georgia. Officials will be able to continually monitor the quality of the state's parole supervision while having at their fingertips up-todate information often needed by other public safety agencies.
Former Columbus Police Chief and now Board Vice Chairman Jim Wetherington particular likes that quick accessibility for law-enforcement needs. "Parole officers will bring more much information to the table in working with police on shared community concerns. Complete criminal history including aliases, prior residences, warrant information, and eventually parolee photos can be retrieved quickly, and in police work, time is critical. This tool not only facilitates parole supervision but boosts services to other public safety institutions as well."
Parole officials began developing the software system four years ago after searches failed to locate a transferable model from other criminal justice agencies and cost projections from private software firms came in at the unexpected levels. They point out that computerized caseload management also provides an exciting byproduct: Data that has been too time-consuming or obscure to collect manually can now be assembled electronically, adding extensively to the state's storehouse of criminal justice information.

DeKalb Parole Officer Sherri Wright reviews supervision casenotes on her laptop computer equipped with the "FLOID" software program.

Citizens help weave offender safety net
The Board's Community Linkage Program which matches private citizens with offenders making the transition from prison to parole is now under way. From eleven orientation and training sessions held during the spring, thirty-three volunteers submitted applications, attended advanced training, and have been accepted as Transition Coordinators.
"We began two volunteer offender matches in April which we are using as our trial cases," says Project Coordinator Ruth Culley. "Because both of those volunteers have graduate degrees in human behavior and have worked with inmates before, they can give us and the other volunteers valuable input about ways to improve the program."
In June all volunteers were matched with offenders still in prison. Each volunteer Transition Coordinator will assist a selected inmate in establishing post-release plans and then will work with the offender and parole officer to enhance the offender's adjustment to the community.
Volunteers will receive monthly in-service training. The Board plans to recruit more Transitional Coordinators in September.
At a May training session tor Transitional Coordinators, Project Manager Ruth Culley (left) and statewide Electronic Monitoring Coordinator Shalandra Robertson review presentation notes.
Volunteers at the May training session study parole supervision material. In June all volunteers were matched with offenders still in prison.

Before Susan's release, Transition Coordinator Karen Barfield and (clockwise) Board Project Manager Joe McAdoo meet at the Griffin parole office with District Parole Chief Roger Mayo and Mitch Beddingfield, the parole officer assigned to Susan's case. They go over parole conditions and electronic monitoring procedures that Susan will be expected to follow as well as the substance abuse counseling she must attend. When Mitch learns that Karen has worked with addicts and can recognize their typical manipulations as well as the situations most likely to trigger relapse, he realizes that his job will be made a little easier.

Volunteer Karen Barfield meets with Susan (/. to r.) at Metro Transitional Center for several weeks preceding her parole to discuss her post-release plans. Susan will return to her husband and her 3-year old daughter and continue working as a grocery store cashier. She believes she can transfer to a store close to her proposed home which, since she doesn't drive, will simplify transportation concerns. Susan is optimistic about her future, a result of her intensive group counseling sessions at Metro. "/ never knew people could fee/like this" she says, referring to her drug-free vitality and interest in the world. "/just assumed that the empty feeling I felt sober was the way everyone felt all the time."
Mitch visits Susan at her Ellenwood trailer, which temporarily houses Susan's brother who migrated from Michigan with his wife and child to find work. "I had told him to come to Atlanta because he hadn't found work in Michigan," she explains. "Unfortunately he and his family arrived here during my second week on parole - not the best timing because I'm trying to readjust to my own family. I'm having to win my daughter's respect again. But my volunteer, Karen, has helped me deal with that because she has a 3-year-o/d too. My other disappointment was not being able to transfer my job to the store close by. My record, I guess." Mitch says later that despite a few setbacks Susan is remaining positive. "/ definitely believe having a volunteer care about her wellbeing gives Susan additional drive to work through these initial obstacles." (Susan's progress will be reported in future issues.)

Final Hearing Circuit Riders
Since the beginning of 1998, Board Members have conducted 384 final hearings, of which 325 resulted in revocations to prison. In traveling around the state to hold these hearings, Board members have shown local citizens and criminal justice officials what the revocation process is like as well as informing them about agency philosophy and procedures. Aside from Atlanta, hearings have been held at the Columbus Recorders Court, the Richmond County Law Enforcement Center, the Thomas County Courthouse, the Perry Municipal Building, Decatur County Sheriff's office, Laurens County Law Enforcement Center, Coffee County Law Enforcement Center, Mitchell County Justice Center, South Cobb Government Center, Hall County Detention Center, Lawrenceville Police Department, several state prisons, and at several parole offices.

Board Vice-Chairman Jim Wetherington and Field Operations Officer Kim Patton-Johnson review notes after a final hearing in Atlanta.

In the field
Fitzgerald Office welcomes 8th grade "success" student
The Fitzgerald Parole Office recently joined in a community mentoring program to help local-area at-risk youth remain interested in school. Three hours each week for 10 weeks an eighth-grade "success" student came to the Fitzgerald Parole Office to learn about the work of parole officers. All officers worked with their special charge, but the primary mentors were Chief George Johnson and Officer Pauline Owen. Officer Owen was also a guest speaker at the Ben Hill Middle School where she spoke to career-mentoring students about parole and the part it plays in the community. The Ben Hill/Fitzgerald program uses the Communities in Schools model which includes mentoring, educational services for academic remediation, goal setting and self-esteem, learning opportunities, and partnerships with local busineses to provide exposure to career options.

Parole officer appointed to child fatality review board
Senior Parole Officer Ken Law of the Cairo Parole Office is the first parole officer to be asked to serve as a member on the Mitchell County Child Abuse Protocol and Fatality Review Committee. The committee reviews all cases of death or serious injury to a child within their jurisdiction. It also sets policy and is responsible for making certain that local authorities are informed of new laws or changes to existing laws. Although some selections to the committee are automatic, such as the sheriff and police chief, others are based on recommendations from current committee members. In June Ken attended training at Darton College in Albany to learn the responsibilities. Ken has been with the Board since May 1986 and formerly served as an office manager in the now phased-out Camilla sub-office. Currently he supervises Mitchell County parolees. Some of the other committee members are: Mitchell County Sheriff W.E. Bozeman; Mitchell Ccounty Family and
Children Services Director Sandra Holton; District Attorney J. Brown Mosely;
Assistant District Attorney Victoria Darrisaw; Juvenile Court Judge Randall Chew; Camilla Police Chief Ray Folsom; Pelham Police Chief Nealie McCormick; Magistrate Judge Lucy Gondor; Coroner Raymond Barker; Mitchell County Children and Youth Director Jenny Bostick; and Camilla/Mitchell County Boys and Girls Club Director Mike Hackett. Parole Chief Leslie Lamb says "Placement on this committee is a honor and we are extremely proud of Ken for being the first Parole employee in this district to be asked to serve." Ken recognizes the honor and responsibility and says he is grateful to be able to serve the community and to represent parole in this critical role.
Clayton parole staff participates in victims' rights week
On Saturday 4/25/98 Chief Joe Morris, Assistant Chief Donna High and Secretary Alisa Sanders from the Jonesboro Parole Office, District #20, joined representatives from the District Attorney's Office, Rape Crisis Center, Solicitor General's Office, Battered Women's Shelter and other agencies in a resource fair as part of the observance of Victims' Rights Week in Clayton County. The group set up a resource table at Southlake Mall and spent the afternoon distributing literature and discussing victims' services and rights with citizens of the community. Chief Morris says, "What really made this an interesting day was exchanging information about victims' services with other participating agencies. We learned a lot from each other."
Restorative justice is TV discussion topic
Board Special Projects Manager Dee Bell and Savannah Restorative Justice Coordinat.Or Dr. Burnham Carter appeared May 28 on the television
program "Celebration." This Christian talk show hosted by J. Don Ferguson
airs on Savannah's cable channel 7. Ms. Bell and Dr. Carter spoke on the restorative justice concept and the restorative work projects being piloted in Savannah, Fitzgerald and Gainesville.
Career day provides student forum
Savannah P_arole Center Assistant Chiefs Demetra Bush-Butler and George McKennie participated in the Armstrong-Atlantic State University Career Day Program on May 5. They showed the video "Georgia ParolePublic Safety Sets Our Course" and answered questions from students. Demetra and George felt the career day provided them with an excellent opportunity to educate others about the parole mission.

Parole officer attends MADD impact panel
Savanah Parole Officer Lora McCain-Lewis attended the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panel held in Savannah on May 21, 1998. Parolees are referred on a bi-monthly basis to this meeting to hear firsthand how drugs and or alcohol- related accidents impacted victims and their family members. Lora stated this was a powerful experience that all parolees with drug and alcohol problems should witness.
Parole officers run for children's charities
The Great Savannah Bridge Run, a 10K road race over the Talmadge Memorial Bridge took place on May 2 with Jay Lacienski, George McKennie, Harry Henderson, John Prince, Tom Cadwallader, Darryl McGee and Paula Horn-Kitchings of the Savannah Parole Center participating. Proceeds benefit several children's charities. The team-spirited Savannah parole officers wore bright yellow t-shirts with "Parole Officer" emblazoned on the backs.
Budget/Fiscal makes life a little simpler
The Budget/Fiscal Management Section reports that the Board is now participating in the American Express Corporate Card program. Any fulltime employee with an annual salary of $15,000 who routinely incurs travel expenses can apply for an American Express Corporate Card. There is no annual fee to the employee for the card. Budget officials advise that the program will not change the way employees are reimbursed for travel. Application information was sent out with the April 30 paychecks. For an application or more information call the Budget/Fiscal Management Section.
Coming in early fiscal year 1999, the Board will be implementing the Purchase Card program. Look for more information soon.
Computer training road show resumes
Gail Burford and Bonnie Bargeron will be conducting regional computer training during the next six months. Dates and locations will be announced.
Popular support staff training due this fall
The support staff conference is scheduled for September 16 through September 18 in Macon. Look for more information later on e-mail.

Parole officers graduate from extended program

The first parole officer basic training class to participate in the new eight-week

curriculum graduated April17. Academy Director Charles Polk described the 31st

basic class as "cohesive, team-spirited- one of the best ever."

Top honors went to the following students:

Bridgette Jones

Steve Bowers Award

(for best academic and performance)

Bridgette Jones

Academic Award

Vernon Bronner Performance Award

Tony Williams

1st place firearms

Vernon Bronner 2nd place firearms

Spence Barron

3rd place firearms(tie)

Eddie Cassell

The training extension from six to eight weeks resulted

from a parole officer job task analysis and, judging from student

evaluations, the extra courses were immediately valuable. The

next basic class begins September 14. Trainers request that chiefs

encourage their new officers to begin a physical fitness program

early to prepare them for the intensive training.

Above: Parole Board Trainer Kermit Perry presents the Steve Bowers Award to Bridgett Jones of the Jonesboro Office. At right, Training Director Alan Bell acknowledges Valerie Brown-Stephens from the Jefferson Parole Office as the Most Physically Fit.

Left: Trainer Anita Cloud presents the Performance Award to Vernon Bronner of the Albany Parole Office.

More violent-crime lifers die in prison than are paroled
Board Chairman: uParole will never, ever come easy."
As further evidence of its unwavering commitment to public safety, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles recently announced that more life-sentenced inmates convicted of violent offenses died in prison during Fiscal Year 1998 than were paroled during the same time period.
Prison records show 21 Georgia lifers convicted of violent crimes perished in custody while only 19lifers serving for murder or armed robbery got a glimpse of freedom for the first time. No lifer convicted of a sex crime was paroled in the last year.
Most of the 19 who did receive parole were either accomplices to the crime, battered women who killed their spouses, person~ who killed friends or acquaintances during arguments, or persons with serious illness.
"There's a popular misconception that life in prison doesn't mean all of one's natural life," said Parole Board Chairman Walter Ray. "In just the last year, there
are 21 Georgia lifers who are no longer around to tell you otherwise. If they could, they'd let you know that parole for a life sentence is a rare commodity."
Presently, there are 5;434 persons serving life in Georgia prisons, including 111 serving life without parole. The life without parole sentences are a result of the "two strikes" law, jury verdicts, and plea arrangements. In Georgia, lifers make up 14% of the prison population.
The 19lifers convicted of violent crimes who have been paroled in FY98 account for a fraction of 1% of Georgia's life sentence inmates.
Material above was prepared by the Board's Office of Criminal Justice Research. The next newsletter will report on this newly created unit's services to citizens, media, legislators, and criminal justice practitioners.

State Board of Pardons and Paroles

Walter S. Ray Jim Wetherington Bobby Whitworth Garfield Hammonds Dr. Betty Ann Cook

Chainnan Vice Chainnan Member Member Member

Vol.l, No.3 Report on Parole is published by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, Public Information Unit, Fourth Floor, East Tower, Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, 2 M.L.K., Jr. Drive, S.E., Atlanta, GA. 30334. Copyright 1998 by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Permission is granted to reproduce text from Report on Parole provided attribution is given, with the exception that this permission does not extend to any material copyrighted by others. Photographs may not be reproduced except by permission. The Public Information Unit (tel404-651-5897 or fax 404-651-6723) welcomes your comments.
Editor: Marsha Bailey