new Vision statement
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles has a new vision statement. The vision statement describes the broad scope of constitutionally authorized decision making as well as agency activities and future goals in order to enhance public safety for all Georgians.
Executive Director of Parole Chris Barnett says the new vision statement more closely defines the agency’s goals and objectives. Changes were finalized to the agency vision statement in January.
“As a state agency in Georgia, we are focused on improving. In order to serve our citizens and continuously enhance public safety, we must look at where we can improve and ensure that our resources, people and technology are directed in ways to meet that goal,” Barnett states.
“The State Board of Pardons and Paroles maintains an important criminal justice role of providing public safety through effective decision making and we must always seek to adapt to change as necessary,” he adds.
OUR VISION
To be the nation’s most effective and efficient executive clemency authority by:
Making informed, scientific, data driven clemency decisions based in constitutional authority and guided by applicable state law
Preparing offenders for positive change through the imposition of practical and constructive pre and post release conditions
Protecting the public and creating safer communities by holding accountable those offenders who violate the conditions of release
Ensuring crime victims have a voice in the post-conviction criminal justice process
Fostering partnerships and positive relationships with all stakeholders
Engaging, educating, and encouraging the active participation of all stakeholders in the clemency decision-making process
Striving to be a continuously learning public safety organization
“Because of the opportunity the Parole Board gave me, I then was able to re-educate myself and position myself to educate and re-educate others and that’s been the most gratifying thing that I’ve received,” stated Sheffield.
“I think God has allowed me to exist and possibly even created me from the beginning to be in this position so that I can assist those who do not know the way from point A to point B.
I want to tell you that if you had not given me the opportunity to change my life in 1997, then I would have spent the remainder of that ten-year sentence in that institution and God knows where I would be today,” he added.
Sheffield played pro football with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions.
The video of the August Parole Board meeting is available on the State Board of Pardons and Paroles' website and you can read more about the parole and pardon processes at www.pap.georgia.gov.
Sheffield
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Georgia Parole Review