Georgia Department of Corrections
Brian Owens, Commissioner
Director of Public Affairs
Joan Heath
Contact: Office of Public Affairs (404) 656-9772
For Immediate Release
GDC and State Board of Pardons and Paroles Form Partnership to Help Reduce Recidivism
Community Briefings Scheduled
Atlanta - Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles are hosting a series of community briefings to recruit community housing service providers. These briefings will serve as an educational forum for potential housing providers who may be able to assist offenders upon their release from prison. This initiative is important to both the Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, as studies show 95% of offenders return to the community and 28% recidivate within three years.
“Each week, hundreds of inmates return to communities across the state and many are in need of specialized housing,” said Commissioner Brian Owens. “Our goal is to place them in suitable housing where they will begin the process of becoming productive members of society.”
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles currently supervises some 21,900 parolees. Of those under supervision, there is a significant need for resource-based facilities able to accommodate the individual requirements of the offenders. These requirements may consist of health related issues or state-mandated sanctions. For more information on specific housing needs, upcoming community briefings will be held in Augusta and Columbus at the following times and locations:
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 – 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Boathouse Community Center, 101 Riverfront Drive, Augusta, GA 30981. Please RSVP with Anita Cloud at 404-657-2035 or Anita_Cloud@pap.state.ga.us.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 – 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Columbus Public Library Auditorium, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31906. Please RSVP with Linda Trigger at 404-463-1426 or triggl00@dcor.state.ga.us.
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