Terry Barnard elected to serve seventh term as chairman of Georgia Parole Board
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From staff reports
ATLANTA — Terry E. Barnard was elected chairman of Georgia’s Parole Board by his colleagues on the State Board of Pardons and Paroles at Wednesday’s June meeting. Barnard will begin serving a seventh term as chairman starting on July 1. He will become the third-longest serving chair in board history at the completion of the new term.
Board Member Jacqueline Bunn was elected to serve as vice chairwoman.
“Serving as chairman of this respected board is no small thing and I consider it an honor that the members have again asked me to serve,” Barnard said in a news release.
Barnard was first appointed to the board in 2010. He has twice received full-term appointments. Of his 11 years on the board, he has served six as chairman. Under his leadership, the agency continues to be among the nation’s parole leaders in the percentage of successful parole completions.
“Our 73% parole completion success rate remains well above the national average because our members vote cases based on public safety,” Barnard stated. “We continue to follow scientific guidelines regarding parole decisions. Our decisions are data-driven and informed.
“We, as a parole board, continue to protect the public, serve victims and provide offenders with opportunities for positive change.”
Bunn praised Barnard’s leadership during the pandemic.
“I am honored to have been elected to this leadership role,” she said. “I look forward to moving forward in a very positive way. We have an exceptional board right now, and I think we are going to serve the citizens of Georgia quite well.”
Barnard served 16 years in the state legislature prior to his appointment to the board. His legislative experience and knowledge of the Georgia Department of Corrections continue to serve the board and the state well.
Bunn has served on the board since 2016 and was appointed to a full seven-year term in December of 2016. She previously served as executive director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. She is a licensed attorney and has served the state as an assistant attorney general with the Georgia Department of Law. Prior to her appointment to the Parole Board, Bunn was the director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
Parole Board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. They are full-time employees. The members make parole decisions electronically each day. The board may grant paroles, pardons, restore political and civil rights, and restore firearm rights. The board also is authorized to commute sentences including death sentences.
Learn more about the Georgia Parole Board at www.pap.georgia.gov.
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