Atlanta, GA – Improvements in Georgia’s parole process and how community supervision is conducted will be highlighted at a national conference in Denver, Colorado next week.

The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles will be presenting two workshops at the Association of Paroling Authorities International (APAI) annual conference, held May 18-21, 2014.

The APAI represents paroling authorities in the United States, Canada and countries outside North America.

APAI member agency leaders will be given information about the Georgia Parole Board’s Guidelines System and Parole Decision Making Process at the APAI Chair’s meeting. At a second presentation, conference participants will learn how the Georgia Parole Board is maximizing new technology to improve all agency functions including the parole decision making process and enhancing community supervision thereby increasing public safety.

Georgia’s Executive Director of Parole Michael Nail says it is the willingness of the agency’s staff to embrace change, specifically the use of new technologies, which has made the Board’s transition a smooth one.

“Without the level of commitment we have from our agency staff, implementation of the changes that we’re highlighting in Denver would have been difficult at best and likely not possible. From those who prepare the cases for the Board Members to make parole decisions to the parole officers in the field, every member of the team has stepped up,” Nail said. “Our employees are truly dedicated to doing their jobs well while protecting the public,” he added.

Georgia parole leaders will present, “Georgia’s Guidelines System and Decision Making Process” at the APAI Chair’s meeting on May 18th. Georgia’s information will cover the historical development and implementation of the agency’s guidelines system including major components of Risk to Re-offend Score, Crime Severity Level and the Grid Recommendation. A demonstration of the application will be included. Georgia will then facilitate two smaller breakout sessions expanding on the initial presentation.  

The Georgia Parole Board will facilitate a second workshop titled, “Leveraging Emerging Technologies.” The presentation will cover the agency’s clemency process from a paper based system to an automated electronic system. Discussion will include how cloud based web technologies with cutting edge mobility strategies are helping the agency become more efficient throughout all divisions including the parole decision making process and community supervision. The agency’s use of virtual (video conferencing) parole hearings and the “Virtual Office” for parole officers will be covered. This workshop will take place on Monday, May 19th.

The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles also will be presenting later this summer at the American Probation and Parole Association conference and at the American Correctional Association Conference.

For more information on the Georgia Parole Board, please visit our website at www.pap.georgia.gov.

               

###