Annual report 2005 [2005]

Georgia board of
Pardons and paroles
Working for a safer Georgia
FY2005 Annual Report

Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is the only entity in the state with the constitutional authority to grant executive clemency. The Parole Board makes informed decisions on which inmates are deserving of parole, thereby ensuring hard prison beds are dedicated to the offenders who have committed the most serious crimes. The Board's second priority is to manage prisoner reentry. Parole Officers skillfully and carefully reintegrate offenders back into the community under strict supervision. Without the influence of parole's strict supervision, more offenders would return to Georgia prisons, creating a costly cycle of increasing recidivism.
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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.
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Chairman's Message
The Honorable Sonny Perdue, Governor Members of the Georgia General Assembly Citizens of the State of Georgia
On behalf of the five-member board, I am pleased to present you with this agency's annual report for fiscal year 2005. Our task is an arduous one, as the Parole Board members must make just and equitable parole decisions for inmates, while balancing punishment with rehabilitation. Board members are mandated by law to select offenders for parole release that demonstrate they will live and conduct themselves as respectable and law-abiding citizens. Our statistics show that 60% of Georgia's parolees successfully completed their period of parole supervision in comparison to the national average of 46% successful completion. A key element for successful completion of parole is employment. Our parolees have an impressive 82% rate of employment. Research shows that for every day a parolee is employed it reduces the rate of re-arrest by 1% per day. Parole Officers are now carrying an average caseload of 67 parolees, significantly down from previous years due to appropriation of new parole officer positions and re-alignment of staff. This number allows for appropriate and meaningful supervision. The Parole Board's balanced approach to parole supervision which couples offender treatment and self-help with surveillance and law enforcement strategies has proven to be effective. A new agency rule was adopted by the Board that discontinued the 90% policy. This policy will affect only those inmates convicted after January 1, 2006 and adds an additional crime severity level to the Parole Decision Guidelines System. The safety of the citizens of Georgia continues to be the primary concern of the Board when considering cases. This rule will assist the Board in making informed parole decisions. I am proud of the work that we have accomplished over this year as we continue "Working for a Safer Georgia."
Milton E. "Buddy" Nix, Jr.
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Table of Contents
Chairman's Message.......................................................................................................................................3 Parole Board Members...................................................................................................................................5 Board Organization ........................................................................................................................................8 Organizational Chart......................................................................................................................................9 Agency Highlights..........................................................................................................................................10 Agency Expenditure's...................................................................................................................................13 Georgia's Correctional Picture ...................................................................................................................14 Parole Population............................................................................................................................................16 Clemency Division.......................................................................................................................................... 17 Office of Victim Services ...............................................................................................................................22 Field Operations Division............................................................................................................................. 25 District Office Map..................................................................................................................................... ....33
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Parole Board Members
In 1943, the Georgia General Assembly enacted legislation to create the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as an independent agency to administer executive clemency, grant paroles, pardons, reprieves, the ability to commute sentences (including death sentences), to remit sentences and to remove disabilities imposed by law.
The Georgia Constitution provided that Parole Board Members are appointed by the Governor to serve seven- year terms, subject to confirmation by the State Senate. Originally the Board had only three members. In 1973 when the prison population reached 9,000 inmates, the Constitution was amended to expand the Parole Board to five members. The Board still stands at five members, although the prison population has risen to 49,864.
Parole Board Members come from a variety of backgrounds including law enforcement, public policy, corrections, legal affairs and ministry.
Chairman Milton E. Nix, Jr. was appointed to the Parole Board
in June 2002 to fill an interim term. He was reappointed to a full seven-year term in December 2002. Chairman Nix, a graduate of the University of Georgia's journalism program, began his career in 1964 with the U.S. Air Force, serving as captain in the U.S. and Vietnam. In 1970 he joined the FBI as a Special Agent and later became a Supervisory Special Agent where his assignments included investigating large scale drug-trafficking operations, management of the Criminal Informant/Witness Security Program and supervision of an international terrorism section. In 1993 the Commerce, Georgia native and current Conyers resident was appointed Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, a position to which he was reappointed in 1999. Chairman Nix has brought to the Board a vast breadth and depth of law-enforcement expertise.
Chairman Milton E. "Buddy" Nix, Jr. Appointed June 13,2002
Re-appointed December 21, 2002
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Parole Board Members
Vice-Chairman Garland Hunt, Esq. was appointed to
the Parole Board in January 2004 and one month later, Board Members elected Mr. Hunt Vice-Chairman of the Parole Board. After attending undergraduate and law school at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Mr. Hunt served as a staff attorney for the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. Prior to becoming a Member of the Parole Board, Mr. Hunt owned a consulting company and served as General Counsel and Executive Vice-President of the Fellowship of International Churches. An ordained minister, Mr. Hunt is the co-pastor of The Father's House in Norcross, Georgia. Mr. Hunt's background of ministry and law brings a unique set of skills to the Parole Board. His focus on involving the faith-based community in the offender reentry process is invaluable.
Vice-Chairman Garland R. Hunt, Esq. Appointed January 21, 2004
Mr. Garfield Hammonds, Jr. of Atlanta, appointed in 1995
and reappointed in 2002, has devoted his career to law enforcement since 1969 when he joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency as a Special Agent working undercover in Detroit and New York. He quickly advanced to supervisory positions, including Country Attache in Jamaica, and subsequently became the Special Agent in Charge of the Southeast Region, from which he later retired so he could Remain in Georgia. In 1994, Governor Miller appointed him to head the Department of Children and Youth. One year later, Governor Miller appointed him to the Parole Board. Mr. Hammonds served as chairman of the Board during 1996. While a DEA leader, his concern about youth at risk for drug addiction and criminality led him to implement an award-winning prevention program. His tough stance on criminals, his expert knowledge of the impact of drugs, and his dedication to divert youth from crime add impetus to the agency goals of public safety.
Garfield Hammonds, Jr. Appointed January 10, 1995 Reappointed January 1, 2002
6

Parole Board Members
Dr. Eugene Walker, from DeKalb County was appointed to the
Board in May 1999 and reappointed to a full seven-year term in December 1999. His distinguished educational background includes a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship and Ph.D. in History from Duke University. He was a professor of history at Clark College and a Vice President at DeKalb College before advancing to other administrative positions with the DeKalb County school system. Elected to the State Senate in 1984, Dr. Walker served until 1992 as a member of several committees and as Majority Whip. In January 1995 he was named the Commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice. His experience in working with juveniles both in the education and judicial settings accelerates the Board's mission to prevent crime by breaking the generational cycle of crime.
Dr. Eugene Walker Appointed May 6, 1999 Reappointed December 31, 1999
Ms. L. Gale Buckner, from Chatsworth, Georgia was appointed to
the Board in January 2005 by Governor Sonny Perdue. Ms. Buckner is a graduate of Georgia State University and received her Graduate Degree from Brenau University. She started her career as a Communications Officer with the Chatsworth Police Department, rising to the Level of Sergeant and was honored as Officer of the Year. In 1981, she began her service with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation as an undercover operative, and specialized in corruption and white-collar crimes cases, earning the Director's Award for Outstanding Investigations in 1984. While at GBI, she also served as Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. She is a graduate of the 169th Session of the FBI National Academy. In 2000, Ms. Buckner was appointed Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Office of the Governor. While directing CJCC, Ms. Buckner coordinated several criminal justice policy initiatives regarding offender reentry and victims services. Her vast knowledge and experience in the criminal justice field affords her a unique vantage which will enhance the implementation of the mission and vision of the Board.
L. Gale Buckner Appointed January 4, 2005
7

Board Organization
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is made up of thirteen offices. The Clemency and Field Operations Division make up the two largest divisions.
The Director of Parole oversees the day-to-day operations of the agency
The Clemency Division determines inmate eligibility for parole, reviews cases and makes recommendations to Board members on parole decisions. The Division also processes pardon requests and maintains inmate records.
The Field Operations Division employs parole officers and field staff responsible for the daily supervision of approximately 21,961 parolees in Georgia.
The Budget Fiscal Office oversees all fiscal related matters for the Parole Board, most importantly, preparing the annual budget proposal for the Governor and the Legislature.
The Legal Services Office reviews agency policy and procedure and manages all legal matters for the Board.
The Office of Victim Services provides Georgia crime victims with an opportunity to be heard in the parole decision process.
The Public Affairs Office manages the Board's media relations and general information, publications, videos, and the web site content.
The Internal Affairs Office manages internal investigations and security for Board members and Board events.
The Executive Assistant/Legislative Liaison Office is the Board's primary contact with the Georgia Legislature and assists with special agency projects.
The Office of Personnel Services performs human resources functions for the agency.
The Training Office provides training to all post certified and support staff personnel.
The Research, Evaluation and Technology Office oversees agency computer systems and support services, software applications that improve agency efficiency, and the research and distribution of statistical information.
The Quality Assurance Office audits the various offices of the agency for efficiency.
The Re-entry Office provides assistance in successfully transitioning offenders back into the community.
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Organizational Chart
9

Agency Highlights
Law Enforcement Powers
In March 2005, Governor Perdue signed HB 289 that enabled the Board to authorize Parole Officers to have full law enforcement powers in response to emergency requests for assistance. This legislation will allow for quick response from Parole Officers to serve as force multipliers for local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in time of need when supplemental forces are needed in response to emergencies and other state and national security special events.
New Agency Rule Adopted
At the November 18, 2005 Board Meeting, the Board voted to adopt a new agency rule relating to parole consideration for inmates. This rule will replace the Board's prior 90% policy and will apply to offenses committed on or after January 1, 2006. The new policy came about after a Fulton County Judge ruled that "the Board's 90% policy in 1997 was implemented improperly and as a result is ineffective and has no force or effect." The safety of the citizens of Georgia continues to be the primary concern of the Board when considering cases. This rule will assist the Board to ferret out the best candidates for parole.
PAROLE BOARD RULE 475-3-.05
(7) (a) Offenders considered for parole using the Parole Decision Guidelines System who have been convicted of the following crimes shall be assigned a Crime Severity Level of VIII: voluntary manslaughter, statutory rape, homicide by vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs or as a habitual traffic violator, aggravated battery on a police officer, aggravated assault on a police officer, attempted rape, involuntary manslaughter, hijacking a motor vehicle, criminal attempt to murder, aggravated assault (with injury or weapon), enticing a child for an indecent purpose, cruelty to children, child molestation, feticide by vehicle, incest, bus hijacking, robbery, aggravated stalking, aggravated battery, burglary of an occupied residence, VGCSA - Cocaine or Methamphetamine 400 or more grams, VGCSA - Marijuana 10,000 or more pounds, or VGCSA - Opiates 28 or more grams.
(b) Crime Severity Level VIII offenders with a Parole Success Score of 0 to 8 shall receive a Parole Guidelines recommendation of 90% of the prison sentence.
(c) Crime Severity Level VIII offenders with a Parole Success Score of 9 to 13 shall receive a Parole Guidelines recommendation of 75% of the prison sentence.
(d) Crime Severity Level VIII offenders with a Parole Success Score of 14 to 20 shall receive a Parole Guidelines recommendation of 65% of the prison sentence.
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Agency Highlights
Crisis Response Team
Several employees have joined the Georgia Crisis Response Team (CRT), a newly established group organized by the Prosecuting Attorneys Council and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Mr. Danny Bass, Mr. George Braucht, Ms. L. Gale Buckner, Ms. Rita Rocker, and Ms. Shalandra Robertson are crisis responders certified by the National Organization for Victims Assistance ( NOVA). Founded in 1975, NOVA is the oldest national group of its kind whose mission is to promote rights and services for victims of crime and crisis everywhere. Since August 20, 1986 in Edmond, Oklahoma, where a postal worker killed 14 co-workers and himself, NOVA has deployed CRT's to over 100 communities worldwide within 24 hours of receipt of request. The team's three primary tasks are: (1) helping local decision-makers identify all groups at risk of experiencing trauma; (2) training local caregivers who are to reach out to those groups after the CRT has departed, and (3) leading one or more group crisis intervention sessions to show how those private sessions can help victims start to cope with their distress.
Absconder Recovery Project
In July, 2004, field Parole Officers across the state engaged in the first ever statewide absconder recovery project. With the assistance of the Board's fugitive investigator staff, an intensive review of background intelligence on absconders was conducted which culminated in the execution of Board warrants and the arrest of 86 wanted parole violators. The Field Division also implemented a preemptive action strategy designed to reduce the frequency of high profile crimes committed by parolees under supervision. This strategy focuses on the necessity of prompt action on the part of a Parole Officer to interrupt the cycle of behaviors which have been observed and identified as precursors to the commission of a violent crime. The result has been a significant reduction in the commission of the most violent crimes by parolees as measured over a 17 month period. These activities, along with the 4,297 arrests conducted by Parole Officers have served to reflect the paramount importance of community safety which ensures that parolees who fail to abide by the conditions of their release are returned to confinement.
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Agency Highlights
Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Electronic Monitoring
Electronic monitoring serves as an essential part of the Board's supervision strategy and is designed to restrict the movement of sex offenders and other case types deserving of a higher level of attention by the Parole Officer. The new technology associated with the Global Positioning System EM devices goes the extra step of permitting the Parole Officer to view the locations traversed by the parolee during the course of the previous day through an electronic mapping database. In October 2004, the Board began a 12 month evaluation of the utility of GPS EM in 10 Parole Offices across the state. The GPS EM system went statewide in October 2005.

Electronic Monitoring (EM) Electronic Monitoring (GPS EM)

Global Positioning System

Parole Fee Collections
The Budget/Fiscal Division reviewed how parolee fees were collected and was able to reduce the number of steps it took to post payments to the parolees' records. In the past, parolees gave monthly fee payments to the Parole Officer, the Parole Officer then made an entry into the online parolee database and then forwarded the money orders to our main office for processing. Upon receipt, each payment was then manually approved in the online system. With the creation of the lockbox approach, the parolee receives payment coupons and mails them directly to the lockbox address along with the corresponding money order. After being scanned by the bank the money is deposited in the agency account and payments records are electronically sent to the agency via the internet. These records are then electronically read by the online system and updates the parolee database with the amount paid, balance owed and payments in arrears. The lockbox approach significantly reduces labor cost and time, reduces mail costs, and payments are posted expediently, allowing more control within the agency.

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Agency Expenditures

PERSONAL SERVICES Salaries Temproary Labor Overtime Fringe Benefits Personal Liability Unemployment Insurance Workers Compensation Merit System Assessments Drug Testing Services Total
REGULAR OPERATING Motor Vehicle Expenses Publications and Printing Supplies and Materials Repairs and Maintenance Equipment Purchases <$1,000 Water & Sewage Energy Rents - other than Real Estate Insurance and Bonding Freight Other Operating Expenses Claims & Judgements Total
OTHER Travel Motor Vehicle Purchases Equipment Purchases Computer Charges Real Estate Rentals Telecommunications Per Diem and Fees Contracts Health Services County Jail Subsidy Total
TOTAL EXPENDITURES

26,961,353.20 9 8,762.21 57,107.73
8,316,227.92 0.00
62,044.00 0.00
120,246.00 3,004.50
35,618,745.56
420,054.37 6,113.01
836,508.14 78,780.83
128,011.00 7,213.03
176, 864.23 7,389.98
66, 838.97 3,105.02
184, 839.47 0.00
1 ,915,718.05
301,832.49 314,286.60 393,395.49 705,918.68 2,610,931.40 982,345.09 1,555,261.85
99,749.68 20,000.00 617,490.00 7,601,211.28
45,135,674.89

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Georgia's Correctional Picture

Georgia's offender population includes more offenders than those in state prison, under state adult probation or parole authority. The total offender population also includes several thousand in juvenile facilities, under federal probation, and supervised in other states (Likewise, Georgia Parole supervises offenders sentenced elsewhere who have moved to Georgia.)

Georgia's Adult Offender Population
FY 2005

300,000 250,000

Total = 503,192

262,041

200,000 150,000

133,165

100,000 50,000

50,921 24,276

5,080

6,079

21,630

0 State ParoleeSst*ate InmSattaetse**ProbatPioronCbeorasutinotnyF-SaecniltietPinercsivedateOf(mfeinsdde.)rsProbIantiJoaniel-rAswaiting Trial

* Includes 655 offenders from other states under supervision in Ga. ** Includes 3,000 offenders awaiting pickup in county jails.
Sources: Parole Board Research, Evaluation and Technology Unit, Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Dept of Corrections, Administrative Office of the Courts

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Parole Cost vs. Prison Incarceration

Georgia's Correctional Picture

Cost Comparison: Parole Supervision vs. Prison Incarceration

$55.00
$47.68
$45.00

$49.82 $49.59

$48.65

$47.49 $47.49

$46.64

$35.00

$25.00

$15.00 $5.00

$2.50

$2.70

$2.91

$2.90

$2.80

$3.78

$4.07

-$5.00

FY1999

FY2000 FY2001 FY2002 FY2003 FY 2004
Prison/day Parole/day

FY 2005

Correctional Population by Crime Type

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Parole population holds steady

Georgia's Correctional Picture

At the close of FY05, the parolee population stood at 24,276 which included over 2000 Georgia parolees supervised out of state, and almost 600 of other states' parolees living in Georgia. While inmate population has grown each year since 1991, the parole population has remained stable.

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The Clemency Division
The Parole Process
In Georgia, no prison inmate is entitled to parole. Most, however, by law are eligible to be considered for parole at some point, usually after serving one-third of their prison sentence. A favorable parole decision results in the Board establishing a "tentative parole month" (TPM) for the offender, contingent on positive progress reports and other information received during the intervening months or years. A tentative parole may be withdrawn by the Board at any time prior to the scheduled prison release date. The typical parole consideration follows this path: THE INVESTIGATION: When an offender enters the prison system, Parole Investigators begin studying arrest and court records and talking with arresting officers, victims and witnesses to determine the details of the offender's crime, and any prior offenses. Next, a Parole Investigator interviews the offender in prison to gather information about the offender's personal history, including previous residences, employment, family situation, education background and an account of the crime. Finally, a Board employee will conduct a series of interviews with family members, former employers and friends of the offender. These steps identify critical factors that are important to the offender's successful return to the community.
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Clemency Division

HEARING EXAMINER REVIEW: A Board Hearing Examiner reviews the offender's file and extracts specific factors such as education level and prior criminal history to prepare a summary for the Board and establish a risk score. Using a grid, the Examiner then links the risk factor score with the appropriate crime-severity level. The crime severity level begins at level one with offenses such as shoplifting, to level seven, which includes crimes such as kidnapping or armed robbery. The cross-reference grid reveals the typical prison time, including the maximum, served by the other offenders with similar offenses and risk factors. The Hearing Examiner makes a recommendation to the Board Members based on the offender's risk assessment and other factors.

Drug Reports Personal History Sentencing Reports Criminal History Legal Investigation

Parole Review Summary Victims Letters Employment History Prison Diagnostic Summary Social Investigation

BOARD VOTE: Board Members independently review the offender's file. They may agree with the recommended time to serve, or as they consider the unique factors in the case, may vote to reduce or extend it. The file travels individually to each Board Member until a majority of three agree upon the final parole determination.

Inmates receive notice of the Board's decision on their parole. If parole has been
approved, the offender is given a `tentative parole month' and cautioned that the decision may be rescinded up to the hour
of release.

PAROLE GUIDELINES: Since 1979 the Parole Board has reviewed non-life sentence cases under "Parole Decision Guidelines" one of the country's first standardized methods of predicting an offender's success on parole. Under the guidelines system, Hearing Examiners use factors such as education level and prior criminal history, coupled with the crime severity to evaluate the offender's risk and likelihood for success outside of prisons walls.
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DEATH CASE APPEALS

Clemency Division

The Parole Board has the sole constitutional authority to reduce capital punishment cases to a sentence of life or life without parole. Once a death row inmate exhausts their judicial appeals an execution date is set. At that time, the condemned inmate can request an appointment before the Board to ask for executive clemency.

Prior to the appointment, the Board staff compiles an exhaustive set of reports about the circumstances of the offense, criminal history and life of the condemned inmate. Each Board Member reviews the file and the appointment is scheduled to allow those in favor and those that oppose clemency to appear before the entire Board. The condemned inmate does not attend the appointment. At the conclusion of the appointment, Board Members each cast a confidential vote on the request to commute the death sentence. A majority of three affirmative votes is required to commute a death sentence.

MEDICAL REPRIEVES In FY04 Georgia defines its "elderly inmate" population as those who are 50 years of age or older. Many aging inmates have chronic medical conditions that often reflect an unhealthy lifestyle.

Elderly inmates comprise almost ten percent of Georgia's inmate population but consume more than 31 percent of the state prison
healthcare budget set aside for all inmates.

The Parole Board has the power to grant medical reprieves to offenders who are incapacitated due to age, a health condition, or a terminal illness. The Department of Corrections medical staff recommend inmates for reprieve. The Board balances the medical cost of maintaining the offender in a state prison with the severity of the crime and the offender's likelihood and ability to commit a new crime. Although they are usually fully debilitated, medically reprieved offenders are supervised by a Parole Officer. If the offender's medical condition improves, the offender may be returned to prison to complete their sentence.

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Clemency Division
LIFE SENTENCED INMATES Georgia law requires that offenders serving life sentences for violent offenses who were convicted after January 1, 1995 be considered for parole after serving 14 years in prison. Those who are denied parole are legally entitled to reviews at intervals not exceeding eight years, but, as with all cases, Georgia's Parole Board can reconsider a case at any time. As is illustrated by the graph below, eligibility for review in no way implies that parole will be granted.
THE PARDON PROCESS The Board is authorized to grant a pardon to an offender, declaring that the individual is relieved from all legal consequences of a previous conviction. A pardon restores civil and political rights and removes legal disabilities resulting from conviction in a Georgia court of law. No pardon is automatic, and the Board reviews the merits of each individual pardon application. A pardon can be granted in two instances. The first, and the most rare, is if an individual proves their complete innocence of the crime for which they were convicted. Since the Board was created in 1943, only two pardons have been granted due to new evidence proving the individuals were wrongly convicted. An offender may also apply for a pardon that is not based on innocence. The offender must have completed the full sentence obligation, including any court-ordered payments, and followed the sentence with an additional five yeas without any criminal involvement. Under Georgia law, conviction of a felony removes the right to posses a firearm. A pardon applicant may request that the pardon be worded to restore the firearm right. The Board's policy is to deny the restoration of the firearm right to any pardon applicant who possessed a firearm in the commission of the offense. The Board also has the power to restore political and civil rights without granting a pardon.
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CLEMENCY ACTION IN FY05

RELEASE ACTIONS Parole Supervised Reprieve Conditional Transfer Commutation Remission Other Release Actions TOTAL RELEASES
TOTAL PAROLE REVOCATIONS
DISCHARGES Discharge from Parole Discharge from Supervised Reprieve Commutation to Discharge Parole TOTAL DISCHARGES
TOTAL DECISIONS UNDER GUIDELINES
LIFE DECISIONS Deny Parole to Life Cases Grant Parole to Life Cases TOTAL LIFE DECISIONS
OTHER BOARD ACTIONS Pardon Commutation Reducing Sentence Medical/Compassionate Reprieve Restoration of Rights Visitor Interview Revocation Hearing Preliminary Hearing
RELEASES UNDER SUPERVISION Georgia Releases in Georgia Out-of-State Releases in Georgia Georgia Releases Out of State
TOTAL PAROLEE POPULATION

8,956 2,779
972 1 0 0
12,708
3,684
5,841 1,823
171 7,835
15,315
495 188 683
335 0
109 232 3,225 628 117
21,306 655
2,315
24,276

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OFFICE OF VICTIM SERVICES
As new offenders enter the Georgia prison system, the Board encourages victims, their survivors or other interested parties to contact the Board's Office of Victim Services. The impact of the offenders action on victims and the community is important to the Board. The Office of Victim Services works with victims or their families to answer their questions about parole, to ensure their views and concerns reach Board Members prior to their parole decision, and to keep them notified of activity on their case. All letters and contacts to the office are made a permanent and confidential part of the case file on the inmate. When the offender becomes eligible for parole consideration, the victim's wishes, fears, and concerns become a critical part of the parole decision process.
During FY05 the Office of Victim Services sent out 4,883 pieces of correspondence, provided assistance to more than 3,600 callers, and personally met with many individuals on specific parole cases.
The Crime Victims Bill of Rights, passed in the state of Georgia during the 1995 legislative session, affords victims of crime a variety of rights. Among those is the right to receive notification about the status of their case throughout the criminal justice process. This includes the right to be notified by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles whenever it makes a decision to grant parole to an offender convicted of certain types of offenses. This also includes the right to be notified of the impending release of an offender from the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections.
In FY05, the Parole Board and Department of Corrections' Office of Victim Services combined their victim services offices. The merger was the result of ongoing efforts by both agencies to accommodate victims and to provide victims with the highest possible level of customer service. The staff from both agencies will now work as one team to provide post-sentencing support and information to crime victims, their families and members of the community. The V.I.N.E. system serves as a key component of this partnership, providing victims of crime with access to information concerning the custody status of their offender and notification upon the release of the offender from custody.
Victims or family members of the victim of a crime can register for notification by returning a completed Crime Victim Notification Request Form or victim impact statement to the Office of Victim Services. Upon receiving a completed form, the Office of Victim Services will register the request for notification into the system.
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Office of Victim Services .
V.I.N.E. is a 24 hour automated information system that provides victims of crime an d their families with access to information about their offender. By simply picking up a telephone and dialing the toll-free
V.I.N.E. number, information regarding the custody status of an
inmate can be obtained.
Using the inmate's six digit case number, crime victims may call the V.I.N.E. Hotline to receive updates on the following inmate information:
The current location of incarceration The parole status/eligibility Maximum or scheduled release date The system will advise if the offender is not in custody
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Office of Victim Services
Registered victims will automatically begin receiving computer generated notification calls when any of the following occurs:
The offender is released from prison having completed the court ordered term of incarceration Release from prison after completing the confinement portion of the sentence to begin a court ordered probation period Upon being granted a parole release The escape and recapture of the offender The death of the offender while in the custody of Corrections VICTIMS COMPENSATION FUND Georgia parolees are required to make monthly payments that directly benefit victims and communities. Parolees pay a $30 monthly supervision fee that goes to the state treasury's general fund. Victims' compensation fees, paid by violent-crime offenders in lieu of the supervision fee, are deposited in the Crime Victims Compensation Fund which provides payments to the innocent victims of violent crimes.
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The Field Operations Division
Georgia Parole Officers
During FY05, the parolee population increased by 6%. Performance measures associated with supervision of these cases revealed that 60% of parolees successfully completed their period of parole supervision. This compares very favorably to the 47% national average of parolees who successfully complete parole supervision as measured by the Bureau of Justice statistics. The Parole Board's balanced approach to supervision incorporates the delivery and referral of parolees to treatment programs which research has proven to have a significant effect on the reduction of risk to commit a new crime. The Field Division's focus on the strategic areas of offender employment, substance abuse and mental health treatment, and cognitive skills training reflect a return to the core mission of the agency to address the influence of change in self-destructive behaviors. Parole Officers spend eight weeks studying defensive tactics, constitutional law, supervision techniques, victims' rights and other subjects. Officers qualify with a semiautomatic weapon, a skill they maintain through semi-annual re-qualifications. Graduates of the rigorous training are certified by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council to serve as Georgia Peace Officers sworn to protect the public.
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Field Operations Division Parole Officers have authority to execute Board warrants for parolees. In March 2005 Governor Purdue signed HB 289 that enables the Board to authorize Parole Officers to have full law enforcement powers in response to emergency requests for assistance. This allows for a quick response from Parole Officers to serve as a force multiplier for local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in time of need when supplemental forces are needed in response to emergencies and other state and national security special events. A BALANCED APPROACH A Parole Officer's job hardly begins and ends with strict surveillance and law enforcement tactics to keep parolees on the straight and narrow path. Parole's balanced approach to supervision requires the Parole Officer to provide intervention when the offender struggles with substance abuse, a mental health condition, a lack of education or job skills, or a myriad of other obstacles that face individuals upon release from prison. The acquisition of full-time employment by a parolee is perhaps the most important factor contributing to the parolee's success under supervision and in maintaining a productive, law-abiding lifestyle. Effective referrals to prospective employers and the encouragement and monitoring of employment retention are the focal point of a parole officer's intervention efforts. The results has been an impressive 82% rate of employment among employable parolees at the end of FY05. Parole Officers also meet face-to-face with parolees in the field, through unannounced visits at their residences, and places of employment.
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Filed Operations Division
COGNITIVE SKILLS Upon release from prison , the parolee is placed on an individualized supervision "track", which mandates programs such as Cognitive or Reasoning Skills. The curriculum includes problem solving, social skills, negotiation skills, management of emotions, creative thinking, values enhancement and critical reasoning. There are 135 active coaches, all either Parole Officers or Chief Parole Officers. During FY05, 1050 parolees participated in cognitive skills programs.
MENTAL HEALTH The Treatment and Aftercare for Probationers and Parolees (TAPP) program is the foundation for assuring continuity of treatment for mentally disordered offenders upon release from incarceration. This interagency cooperative program provides case managers who facilitate access through referral to community mental health treatment, monitor treatment compliance in conjunction with the Parole Officer, provide support services such as paying for emergency medications, assistance in finding housing, and other support services for released mentally disordered offenders. In FY05, the Parole Board paroled or reprieved 1,478 offenders with a Special Condition for Mental Health counseling. Among the most challenging offenders to supervise by the Parole Board are those who have a mental illness or mental retardation. These special needs offenders require treatment in the community and often more specialized supervision by Parole Officers.
FAITH BASED INITIATIVES
The Faith-Based Initiative has continued to expand statewide during FY05 with strong support from the Parole Board. The foundation is in place to expand this community resource and accommodate requests from the faith community to assist with offender reintegration. Parole offices have partnered with faith and community organizations to improve employment, housing and life skills resources to parolees as they work toward leading productive, drug and crime-free lives. We currently have approximately 200 resources, services, churches and individuals involved in the Faith-Based Initiative. This number includes homeless shelters, as well as, long and short term residential substance abuse treatment programs.
Over the last seven years the Georgia Parole Board's success rate has exceeded the national average by 14% or more.
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Field Operations Division
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
During FY05, the Parole Board entered into a contractual agreement with Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., to provide substance abuse services to parolees. Spectrum provides cognitive behavioral ASAM Level 1 substance abuse services to the chemically dependent, and help parolees establish life goals as they combat their addiction. In FY05, approximately 6,656 parolees were newly enrolled in a primary substance abuse treatment program and 2,933 parolees successfully completed treatment.
Drug testing continues to be a critical management tool for Parole Officers and, as a result, random and scheduled drug screens are utilized as both a deterrent and measure of parole compliance with release conditions.
The total number of drug testing episodes for FY 05 was 81,972. The 16% random positive drug screen rate among those parolees who were tested is a notable
measure when considering that approximately 75% of offenders enter the prison system with a drug related history.
.

Random Drug Testing: FY 2005

100%
Total random test episodes

90%

= 14,081*

Negative

80%
12,015

70%

(85%)

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

Positive

10%

2,066
(15%)

0%
* Note: A test episode is 1 set of drug tests for one or more drugs. Drug testing is an essential tool for effective supervision. Each month 5% of all parolees are randomly selected for testing, representing
the most accurate picture of parolee drug use. The total number of all test episodes in FY05 was 81,072

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Field Operations Division

INTERSTATE SUPERVISION OF PAROLEES
Georgia is a member of the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision. This national commission provides insight for states with offenders crossing state lines. The Commission is responsible for the creation and management of the rules that govern the transfer of such offenders.
The Commission allows Georgia to transfer a Georgia-sentenced parolee to the supervision of another state for legitimate, verifiable reasons. Primarily, offenders are transferred so they can return to their original residence or family, particularly if the environment is conducive to the parolee's successful rehabilitation. For those same reasons, Georgia agrees to supervise approved parolees transferred from other states. Out-of-state parolees must obey the parole conditions of the sentencing state as well as the state accepting their supervision.

Out-of-state parolees supervised by Georgia Georgia parolees supervised by other states

655 2,315

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Field Operations Division
Parole Supervision Measurement
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Field Operations Division
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Field Operations Division

REVOCATION PROCESS
Despite the efforts to assist parolees to become productive members of society, some parolees do not fulfill the requirements of their parole. In these cases, the Parole Board issues a Board warrant for the parolee's arrest. If the parolee has absconded from supervision, a temporary revocation order is issued. This order suspends the offender's sentence. Parolees arrested on a Board warrant for allegedly violating a parole condition are afforded a preliminary hearing before a Hearing Officer. The hearing determines whether there is probable cause to believe the conditions of parole were violated. Following this preliminary hearing, a report is issued to the Board by the Hearing Officer. A final hearing is held before a Board Member who then makes a recommendation to the full Board on whether or not parole should be revoked and the offender returned to prison.

400
367
350
300
250

Average Number of Revocations per Month

318
288 261

10% increase over FY2005.
307
280 256
224

200

150

100

50

0 FY1998

FY1999

FY2000

FY2001

FY2002

FY2003

FY2004

FY2005

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Field Operations Division
DISTRICT OFFICE MAP
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The FYO5 Annual Report was prepared by the Parole Boards Offices of Public Affairs and Research, Evaluation and Technology. For further information please contact: State Board of Pardons and Paroles 2 MLK Jr. Drive, SE, Suite 458, East Tower Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4909 404-656-5651 ww.pap.state.ga.us
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