Senators Crane and Jones received a high level overview of the parole process in Georgia. That included information on the Board's Parole Decision Guidelines System.
Both state senators were also visiting on days the Board conducts final parole revocation hearings. The hearings are conducted via video conferencing. Vice Chairman James Mills and Board Member Braxton Cotton presided over the revocation hearings which provided Senators Crane and Jones with an excellent review of the revocation process.
As the Board Members conducted the hearings from the Board's Atlanta headquarters, the offender was located at a state prison. Parole staff and law enforcement officials participating in the hearings were located at different sites. All parties were linked via the video conferencing.
State Representative Gerald Greene (R, District 151) accepted the Board's invitation to attend the monthly board meeting last October.
The Revocation Process
The Parole Board's process for holding parolees accountable centers on compliance with parole conditions. Compliance with parole conditions is also critical to public safety. Equally critical to public safety is the Board's actions regarding those offenders who are failing to comply with their release conditions.
Parole Board Members are authorized by law to issue parole warrants for the arrest of parole violators. Depending on the case's circumstances, the offender may have his parole revoked and be returned to state prison. One method to return the offender to prison is by conducting a final parole revocation hearing. A single Board Member presides over the hearing and after hearing facts and testimony, he makes a recommendation to the full board to either continue the offender on parole or return the offender to prison.
Legislators Visit the Parole Board
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles hosted meetings with legislators
before the legislative session began in early 2016.
"As an important part of the criminal justice system in Georgia, we want to ensure our elected officials are fully knowledgeable about our responsibilities and our role in keeping the public safe," stated Executive Director Chris Barnett.
Among those visiting our agency were State Senators Mike Crane (R, District 28) and Harold Jones (D, District 22).
Georgia Parole Review
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