GA Parole FY2015 Annual Report | Page 19

Pardon Administration Unit

In January 2015, the agency continued its improvements to the pardon process in a number of ways. A new application is now required in which applicants must provide additional information including their version of criminal offenses, justification for why they should be considered for a pardon, including a description of how they have given back to the community. Significant changes were made with regard to applicants seeking a pardon for offenses requiring registration on Georgia’s Sex Offender Registry. These individuals must now be crime free for ten years following the completion of all sentences, as opposed to five years for all other conviction types. They must also provide a current copy of their most recent risk level evaluation as assigned by the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board (SORRB), provide a psychosexual evaluation, and submit to a disclosure polygraph as part of the application process.

Shortly after the 2015 legislative session, House Bill 71 was signed into law by Governor Deal. This law implemented additional changes to the pardon process. Among the changes mandated by the new law is the notification process informing registered victims and prosecutors, in specific cases, when an offender

is seeking a pardon. Victims and prosecutors who are notified have the opportunity to send the Board information about the case.

The Parole Board believes these changes will further improve the quality of pardon investigations and provide the most comprehensive information to assist the Board in making quality pardon decisions.

Hearing Examiners (shown above and to the left) prepare the case file and by utilizing the Board's Guidelines, a recommendation regarding parole is sent to the Board.

Middle photograph: Tommy Lowmon, Blackshear's manager and economic development director. Lowmon received a pardon from the Board.

State Board of Pardons and Paroles Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report

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