State Board of Pardons and Paroles

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles was established by the ratification of a constitutional amendment in August 1943. The Board is a part of the executive branch of Georgia's government, authorized to grant paroles, pardons, reprieves, remissions, commutations, and to restore civil and political rights.

The Board's Parole Officers carefully transition offenders back into the community by providing thorough supervision while the parolee is participating in training and treatment programs. These officers quickly reincarcerate those offenders who choose to violate their parole conditions. The Board also provides case information and status reports to the states' crime victims and their families. The agency places a great deal of importance on responding to the needs of these victims and listening to their input and concerns about the parole process.

The Parole Board is a five-member board. Current members are Chairman Garland E. Hunt, Esq., Vice-Chair L. Gale Buckner, Garfield Hammonds, Jr., Eugene Walker, and Milton E. "Buddy" Nix. Our agency is composed of four major operational divisions, which are the Executive Offices, the Clemency Administration and Parole Selection Division; the Field Operations Division and the Administrative Division. Each of these divisions is made up of several specialized units and employs approximately 800 employees statewide.

More »