ATLANTA - Shalandra Robertson, the Director of the Georgia Office of Victim Services, has been recognized by the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) for her work with crime victims.
 

At the APPA Winter Training Conference in Miami, Florida, on March 11, 2019, Robertson received the prestigious Joe Kegans Award for Victim Services in Probation and Parole.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award,” stated Robertson.  “As far back as I can remember I have had a desire to help others. Working in state government has allowed me to do just that. The Office of Victim Services works diligently to ensure that crime victims have an active role in the post-conviction process.  In my myriad positions as a public servant over these past 31 years, I have found the position in Victim Services to be the most rewarding.”

Parole Board Chairman Terry Barnard says the recognition is most deserved.

“Shalandra Robertson is passionate about representing crime victims and ensuring that all of their communications are considered by the board,” stated Chairman Barnard. “Crime victims will find no better representative than Director Robertson,” he added.

Chairman Barnard also praised the staff in the Office of Victim Services.

“We have a dedicated staff in the Georgia Office of Victim Services. This award also speaks to the assistance crime victims receive throughout the year from this office and from the State Board of Pardons and Paroles,” Chairman Barnard said.

The award is named for the late Judge Joe Kegans, a founding member of APPA's Victim Issues Committee. Kegans devoted her career to bettering the lives of those impacted by crime.

The Georgia Office of Victim Services is a division of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. The office serves registered crime victims in Georgia and represents three state agencies which are the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Community Supervision.

The APPA is a membership organization serving community corrections professionals. Learn more about the APPA at https://www.appa-net.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=AboutAPPA-Introd….

Shalandra D. Robertson

Shalandra D. Robertson is a 1986 graduate of Savannah State University. She earned a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University.

Robertson began her career in state government in 1987 as a Senior Caseworker with the Department of Family and Children Services and was hired as a Parole Officer in 1990 with the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Robertson has held several positions with the Parole Board to include Field Service Officer and Program Manager administering electronic monitoring, cognitive skills, faith-based, and women services programs. She is a Certified Georgia Peace Officer and a Certified Training Instructor.

Robertson was selected to manage the Parole Board’s Office of Victim Services in 2003. The office has expanded to represent three agencies to include the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision.

Under Robertson’s leadership, the office has increased services to victims and is now assisting more than 35,000 registered victims.

Among other accomplishments, Robertson is responsible for the creation of two victim centered programs: Victims Visitors’ Day and Victim Support Partners. Victims Visitors’ Day (VVD) is an event held twice a year throughout the state of Georgia affording victims face-to-face meetings with the Parole Board Members.

Victim Support Partners (VSP) is a statewide network of dedicated victim-volunteers who work with the Georgia Office of Victim Services to assist victims, survivors and their families.

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

###