Forsyth, GA - Sherard Dillard was “parole-ready.” Dillard was one of twenty GED graduates at the Burruss Correctional Training Center in Forsyth today.

Following the ceremony he was surprised as Parole Board Member Brian Owens announced to the graduates that Dillard would be released on parole the following day.

The Parole Board is hopeful Georgia’s inmate population is paying attention.

“When we interview offenders inside Georgia’s prisons, we emphasize program completion, following rules and essentially being ‘parole ready’ when the Board looks at your case,” stated Rick Jacobs, Clemency Director for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Jacobs delivered keynote remarks to the graduates.

Dillard who was expecting to max-out his sentence in two months was surprised to learn of his parole and he says other inmates should be encouraged.

“No matter what you go through, what took place today makes me feel that anything is possible for anybody,” he said.

Dillard says other offenders who complete their GED should remain encouraged because parole may be possible.

Dillard served 16 months of an 18-month sentence for a drug related conviction in Clayton County.

The Georgia Department of Corrections has again surpassed its previous record of GED completions with more than 2,400 GEDs earned as of May 8, 2018, surpassing the 2,371 earned in fiscal year 2017.

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

For more information about the State Board of Pardons and Paroles visit www.pap.georgia.gov or contact Steve Hayes, Director of Communications at 404-657-9450 or at [email protected].