ATLANTA – Brian Owens was sworn in today as the newest member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Governor Nathan Deal announced Monday, the appointment of the former Corrections Commissioner to the Parole Board. Mr. Owens succeeds James Donald on the Board. Mr. Donald has accepted a position with the University System of Georgia.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to continue serving Georgians as a member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. I started my career with the Parole Board and know firsthand what a great agency it is as I have worked alongside the Board as commissioner since 2009,” stated Owens. “The Board’s commitment to public safety is unquestioned,” he added.

Mr. Owens attended his first monthly Parole Board meeting today and was officially sworn in by Chairman Terry Barnard.

Mr. Owens has served as the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections since January 2009. He was reappointed as commissioner by Governor Deal on January 18, 2011. Prior to becoming commissioner, Mr. Owens served as the department’s assistant commissioner, executive assistant and the director of the department’s office of Planning and Analysis. Mr. Owens began his career as a parole officer in 1993 and while in that capacity, he was promoted to assistant chief parole officer and chief parole officer. Mr. Owens earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Georgia. He and his wife have two children and reside in middle Georgia. 

Parole Board Members are full-time employees of the agency, appointed by the Governor to seven year, staggered terms, subject to confirmation by the State Senate. During fiscal year 2014, Board Members made more than 76,000 decisions regarding offender cases. The Parole Board is authorized to grant paroles, pardons, and reprieves and is the only entity in the state with the constitutional authority to commute a death sentence.

For more information please contact Steve Hayes, Chief Public Information Officer, Office of Communications, at 404-657-9450 or [email protected] or visit our website at www.pap.georgia.gov.

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