ATLANTA - A state inmate graduating from a Department of Corrections’ program last Friday is now a “returning citizen” after the State Board of Pardons and Paroles granted him parole during the graduation ceremony.

Kenneth Geiger was among inmates graduating from Lee State Prison’s first “Evidence-Based Program” graduation. Geiger left prison on parole today.

The Board's purpose of delivering the parole certificate in person was to send the message to state inmates that it is up to them to make themselves “parole ready.”

Executive Director of Parole Chris Barnett says the board reviews, among other things, an offender’s prison program completions when determining whether an inmate will be granted parole.

“The Board wants parole eligible offenders to prepare themselves for reentry,” says Barnett. “By completing necessary programming, these offenders are better prepared to be successful back in the community. The offender population needs to understand that these are necessary steps in order to be paroled,” he added.

Geiger was among the more than 60 inmates graduating from programs at the prison in Leesburg, Georgia on Friday. The Evidence-Based Program is a two-year program which uses evidence-based practices to determine training and programming for offenders. GED and Welding program graduates also were recognized. Several inmates graduated from more than one program.

Geiger received parole after serving 19 months of a two-year sentence for Paulding County convictions including for theft, burglary and motor vehicle theft.

The Parole Board consists of five Board Members who are full time state employees. They are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. They serve seven year staggered terms. The members determine which parole eligible inmates are granted parole and they make decisions on pardons as well as clemency requests for death row inmates. In Georgia, eligible inmates are automatically considered for parole. If released on parole, offenders who violate their release conditions may be returned to prison by the Parole Board.

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.

For more information about the Georgia Department of Corrections, visit www.gdc.georgia.gov.

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