ALTO, GA - The State Board of Pardons and Paroles delivered good news today to two inmates at the Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto, Georgia. Parole certificates were handed to Kelli Armstrong and Tammy Kline following their graduation from the Department of Corrections’ Charter School Program.

Parole Board Members James Mills, chairman-elect, and Braxton Cotton, vice chairman-elect, attended the high school graduation ceremony inside the prison and awarded the parole certificates.

Mills says the Parole Board is continuing a process of notifying some inmates of their approved parole during program graduation ceremonies.

“It’s a message the Board hopes is received by the state’s inmate population. Governor Deal has emphasized education as a part of the reentry process,” Mills said.

Cotton addressed the graduating class and told the offenders being released on parole, and the other graduates, that the best way to be “parole ready” is to stay ready.  

“Regardless of where you are right now, if you keep a positive mental attitude, there is no limit on where you can go and how successful you can be,” Cotton said.

“This is an opportunity for you, an opportunity that so many others fail to have or take advantage of. We are looking to parole inmates who are changed individuals. Prison programming exists to provide an avenue of change and improvement for that offender. An education remains a necessary key to success,” stated Cotton.

Armstrong and Kline were among 26 inmates receiving a high school diploma by completing the program while incarcerated.

Kline gave the graduating address and said she probably never would have graduated high school, if she had not come to prison. Armstrong and Kline will be released on Friday, June 23, 2017. Armstrong was serving a two-year sentence for burglary and forgery convictions in Coweta County. Kline was serving 39-months for theft in Walker County.

Attending the graduation ceremony as guests of Mr. Cotton included Dr. William E. Flippin Sr., Pastor of The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church in Atlanta and John Cheston, a church member.

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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