Annual Employee Awards
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The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles announced the agency’s annual employee awards for 2026.
The awards were presented at the agency’s annual staff meeting held at Indian Springs State Park in Butts County in June. The five-member Georgia Parole Board joined agency leadership in presenting the awards.
Employees who were recognized:
Rising Star Award: Honoring Shenika Wright
Director’s Award: Honoring Janelle Edwards
Innovations Award: Honoring Post-Release Considerations Team
Community Impact Inreach Award: Honoring Toni Bell
Community Outreach Award: Honoring Latwanda Langdon
Katie Turner Employee of the Year Award: Honoring Jennifer Scott
GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) Award: Honoring Catherine-Denise Jones
“These recipients are representative of our agency workforce as a whole. Each of these award winners have continuously contributed to our agency’s public safety goals. Although they are individuals with specific roles within our agency, they represent the “team” approach that is necessary for any state agency to succeed in making Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” stated Executive Director Chris Barnett.
Executive Director Barnett received special recognition from agency staff for a decade of leadership. Barnett was given the “Leadership Award” marking his tenure as Executive Director of the agency, which began in 2015.