OWENS JOINS BOARD
Brian Owens was sworn in as the newest member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles at the Board’s February meeting. Governor Nathan Deal appointed the former Commissioner of the Department of Corrections to the Board effective February 1, 2015. Owens succeeds James Donald on the Board. Donald accepted a position with the University System of Georgia. “I am honored to have this opportunity to continue serving Georgians as a member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. I started my career with the Parole Board and know firsthand what a great agency it is as I have worked alongside the Board as commissioner since 2009,” stated Owens. “The Board’s commitment to public safety is unquestioned,” he added.
Owens attended his first board meeting February 3, 2015, and was sworn in by Parole Board Chairman Terry Barnard. At the Board Meeting, Chairman Barnard spoke about the addition of Owens to the Board. Barnard says he and Owens will be able to continue their long professional relationship as members of the Parole Board. He noted Owens started his career with parole. “It’s an interesting thing that you came as a parole officer making your way up as assistant chief and chief (parole officer),” stated Barnard. At the time that Owens became commissioner of the Department of Corrections, Barnard noted that he (Barnard) was chair of the State
Institutions and Property Committee as a member of the legislature. That committee has oversight of the Department of Corrections. Barnard said he and Owens worked closely together on many issues during that time. Board Member Albert Murray says Owens' appointment to the Parole Board is timely. You have the “good skills, good knowledge, and good history of corrections in Georgia and parole in Georgia,” said Murray. He added that Owens' appointment will serve the Board and the people of Georgia.
“I’m thrilled to be here, honestly,” stated Owens. “I had a relationship with my colleagues over here for years, and in some cases, decades. I’m about the field, I’m about the officers, making sure the officers on the frontline have what they need to do the job,” added Owens. Owens reflected on his time as a Georgia Parole Officer. “It was not too long ago I was knocking on doors, riding in a personal vehicle, making field contacts, and putting handcuffs on people. So I know what it is you go through out there and I have so much respect for what you go through out there, so hopefully over the next year or several years we’ll get to know each other better. It’s all about doing the right thing in the field. The administration with Mr. Nail in charge, whom I have full confidence in, will do what it needs to do."
Murray Speaks to Rotary Club
On 3/12/15, Parole Board Member Albert Murray spoke to the Rotary Club of Conyers. He was joined by Regional Director Chris Barnett and Conyers Chief Parole Officer Don Pace. Murray gave insight to the parole process and spoke about advances in parole supervision of offenders in the community to include the Board's Virtual Office.
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