June 06, 2023
2023 Georgia Prison Wardens' Association Conference, Parole Board Members Discussion
The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles engaged Georgia’s prison wardens at the Georgia Prison Wardens’ Association 2023 Annual Conference in Savannah. The wardens were provided a Georgia Parole Board Member panel which led a discussion about how cases are considered for parole and how correctional staff can provide valuable offender information to the Parole Board. Parole Board Chairman Terry Barnard joined members Meg Heap and Tim Ward on the panel.
“The Department of Corrections and the wardens are key partners of the Parole Board. The wardens and counselors are the corrections staff who know the offenders best and their information is important if we are to make informed parole decisions,” said Barnard. Meg Heap said public safety depends on a close relationship between the board and corrections. “Certainly as board members, we need to know when an offender is doing well and when they’re not. Today’s engagement with the wardens will strengthen that necessary relationship which will benefit public safety," Heap said. Tim Ward is the former commissioner of the Department of Corrections. “The men and women have extremely difficult and important jobs running the state’s prisons putting them on the front lines regarding public safety. My admiration extends to how they keep the board informed as to the progress of the offenders under their care,” Ward stated.