ATLANTA - More than 500 family and friends of state inmates attended the Dept. of Corrections’ Family Day today in Forsyth. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles assisted with the event meeting with those who attended and wanted to speak with Parole Hearing Examiners and ask parole related questions.

Executive Director of Parole Chris Barnett spoke during an opening ceremony encouraging families to be involved in the inmate's reentry plan, encourage their incarcerated loved ones to complete programming, and follow prison rules. 

"We want families to be actively engaged in the parole process, ask questions, show support, and encourage their loved ones as they prepare for parole consideration," stated Barnett. "As the Parole Board strives to include all stakeholders in the clemency consideration process, this event allows the Board to receive valuable information to assist in the decision making process, which benefits all Georgia citizens."

"I would also like to thank Commissioner Dozier and the DOC staff for the invitation today and the opportunity to serve the citizens of Georgia," added Barnett.

“Family Day is part of the Department's continuing efforts to provide customer service to the families of offenders in the GDC system,” said Commissioner Greg Dozier. “We are thankful to Pardons and Parole for joining us, allowing us to comprehensively address the concerns of all who attended.”

GDC hosts this event each quarter in various regions of the state.

For more information about the Georgia Parole Board, please contact the Office of Communications, Director Steve Hayes, at 404-657-9450 or [email protected]; also visit www.pap.georgia.gov.

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