Georgia Parole Review Winter 2026/Fall 2025
Engaging Paroling Authorities
The Georgia Parole Board is recognized as a leading paroling authority and during the past several months has engaged other state parole boards as a means of sharing best practices.
The Texas Parole Board welcomed Georgia Parole Board Members and leadership staff to Austin last fall for discussions on best practices by paroling authorities.
"The engagement allowed us great insight into the operations of our Texas counterparts. I believe both agencies have takeaways that may lead to enhancements in the parole decision making process for our respective states," said Joyette Holmes, Chair of the Georgia Parole Board.
Executive Director Chris Barnett says a necessary component of reviewing your own processes is comparing them to others.
"Only by researching how agencies operate and how decisions are reached can we continue to improve. Public safety requires researching and comparing the decision making process with other successful agencies," adds Barnett.
Discussions also took place in Louisiana that included Washington State. Georgia Board Members met with the full Louisiana Parole Board and the Chair of the Washington Parole Board.
Executive Director Barnett says the sharing of process information can benefit all three paroling authorities.
"After seeing the Louisiana Parole Board in action and hearing about Washington's operations and structured decision making process, it’s clear that our agencies share more similarities than differences. A deeper dive into how we operate differently can strengthen our individual boards," says Barnett.
Barnett says Georgia parole looks forward to continued collaboration with other state paroling authorities.
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