Rita Rocker has been selected to serve as the Deputy Executive Director for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Rocker began her career in 1989 in Criminal Justice as an accounting clerk with the Georgia Department of Corrections. She later worked in the Food & Farm Unit, before being promoted to unit manager of the Property/ Inventory & Audits Unit.
Rocker joined the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in 1997 as an auditor with responsibilities to examine each of
the Board’s primary operations to identify areas for
improvement. A promotion to unit manager followed and in 2010, Rocker was promoted to director of Government Relations, leading the Board through several legislative cycles that saw fundamental change in the Criminal Justice System in Georgia.
"Ms. Rocker has served the Parole Board in a number of
roles carrying great responsibility. Her work has resulted in many accomplishments benefiting the Board and Georgia taxpayers,” stated Director of Parole Christopher Barnett.
Rocker has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Georgia Southern University and a master's in Public Administration from the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College at Columbus State University.
Rocker lives in Atlanta and volunteers with the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia, currently serving as the treasurer of the Board of Directors.
Rick Jacobs (photo to right) is the Parole Board's new director of Field Operations. Jacobs comes to Parole from the Dept. of Corrections (GDC). At GDC, Jacobs held management roles to include assistant superintendent, superintendent, and warden. In 1999, he was appointed to the position of director of Special Operations. In 2010, Jacobs was appointed the north area field operations manager for the Facilities Division. In July 2013, he was promoted to deputy director of Facilities Operations and in January 2014 as the director of the Facilities Division, his most recent position prior to joining the Parole Board.
In 1984, Jacobs began his law enforcement career by joining the Rome Police Department. In 1992, he accepted a state probation officer position with the Department of Corrections. In 1993, he transferred to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as a parole officer, later returning to the Dept. of Corrections.
James Williams, Jr., is the agency’s new Director of Clemency.
Williams leads the division that is responsible for the parole process which begins with the offender’s case being thoroughly investigated and the offender’s file being reviewed by the Board Members who determine whether to grant parole.
Williams’ career spans more than 32 years in the field of Criminal Justice. Director of Parole Christopher Barnett says Williams has a solid record of success.
“Following every promotion, success in that position has been the result for Williams,” stated Barnett. “The clemency process is a critical function for the Parole Board and requires a director who has the skills and leadership qualities that Williams possesses.”
After beginning his career as a deputy sheriff in Baldwin County in 1983, Williams joined the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in 1987 as a parole officer in the Milledgeville Parole Office. He was promoted to sub-office manager in the Eatonton Parole Office in 1993.
Williams has served in many important capacities including, assistant chief parole officer, chief parole officer and northeast regional director where he oversaw the transition of the region to the virtual office environment.
In 2013, Williams was promoted to assistant director of Field Operations for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Williams has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s in Public Administration, both from Georgia College and State University. Williams is a native of Milledgeville.
Jacobs is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he was assigned to the Special Operations Group (SOG). Jacobs is a native of Rome, Georgia. He has an associate degree from Floyd Jr. College, a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University.
Field Operations oversees the Warrants and Violations unit which is responsible for securing Board warrants for arresting parolees who have violated parole conditions and facilitating final revocation hearings to determine if an offender should be returned to prison.
Rita Rocker
James Williams
Rick Jacobs
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Rick Jacobs is the Parole Board's new Director of Field Operations. Jacobs comes to Parole from the Dept. of Corrections (GDC).
Jacobs held management roles to include assistant superintendent, super- intendent, and warden at GDC. In 1999, he was appointed special
operations director. Jacobs was appointed the north area field operations manager for the Facilities Division in 2011. In 2013, he was promoted to deputy director of Facilities Operations and in January 2014 as the director of the Facilities Division.
Parole's Field Operations oversees the Warrants and Violations unit responsible
for securing Board warrants on parolees who have violated parole conditions. The unit also facilitates final revocation hearings to determine if an offender should be returned to prison. Jacobs has a degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University.