Parolee Supervision Moves to New Agency
The Parole Board supported House Bill 310 which created the Department of Community Supervision (DCS). Beginning July 1, 2015, community supervision of felony offenders became the responsibility of DCS. The Parole Board remains a key stakeholder and partner in the supervision of parolees and their reentry success. (more on page 24)
APPA Recognizes Parole
The American Probation and Parole Association recognized the Georgia Parole Board with the Community Excellence in Crime Prevention Award at the APPA Winter Training Conference. The M.O.R.E. program (Max-Out Reentry) is a reentry collaboration of the Parole Board, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Community Supervision. (more on page 27)
Board Meetings Conducted Outside of Atlanta
The Parole Board conducted monthly board meetings away from Atlanta in FY 2015. The meetings were held in Columbus and at Hays State Prison in order to make the Board more accessible to all Georgians. The Board met in Trion at Hays State Prison in October 2014 and in Columbus in January 2015.
Swicord Wins Public Safety Award
Parole Officer Trent Swicord received a 2014 Governor's Public Safety Award. Swicord was recognized for risking his own safety to protect fellow officers and the public during a felony arrest. Swicord was injured during the incident.
FY 2015 Highlights
Victims Visitors'
Days
During FY15, the Parole Board visited Columbus and Forsyth conducting Victims Visitors' Days. At these two events more than 200 victims of crime met with parole staff and one of the five Parole Board Members. Victims discuss the impact of the crime and learn information about the parole status of the offender. (see Victim Services beginning on page 32)
Owens Appointed to the Board
Brian Owens, the former Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, was appointed to the Board by Gov. Deal in February, 2015. (see Owens' bio on page 15)
(left) Owens takes oath from Chairman Terry Barnard
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