Our Commitment to Justice and Redemption
At Parole Advocates, we strive to identify and support individuals who have shown true transformation during their time in prison. Our mission is to assist them in securing parole and reintegrating into society, enhancing their chances for a successful future while ensuring public safety.
Understanding Georgia's Parole System Challenges
Georgia's parole system faces significant challenges, particularly for vulnerable populations. Many eligible individuals struggle to navigate complex regulations and face barriers that hinder their chances of successful reentry.
Georgia's Prisons are Overcrowded and Deadly
Georgia is the eighth most populous state in the United States and has the fourth-highest prison population. Since 1990 Georgia's prison population has more than doubled. The rate of homicides in Georgia prisons significantly exceeds that of correctional facilities in other states. The United States Justice Department's 2024 Investigation of Georgia Prisons reports that "The State fails to protect incarcerated people from violence and harm caused by other incarcerated people in violation of the Eighth Amendment."
Georgia's Parole Crisis: Too Busy to Forgive
Too often, a Georgia prison sentence offers little hope for redemption.
When the Board of Pardons and Parole was created in the 1940s, there were three members. In the 1970s, that number was increased to five, at a time when approximately 7,000 people were incarcerated in Georgia.
Today, the number remains at five, even though about 50,000 people are incarcerated in the state.
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Our Prison Population is Aging and Serving Long Sentences
Almost 10,000 Georgia prisoners are serving a life sentence or life without parole; for the remainder, the average sentence is about 26 years.
Older people make up five times as much of the prison population today than they did 30 years ago. In Georgia, more than 23 percent of incarcerated people are over age 50. Also, nearly two thirds of the people serving life sentences today are Black or Brown.
Hello, my name is Eloise Daniel. I served a total of 27 years in prison. I experienced a great deal of trauma throughout my childhood and early life. It left deep marks--the kind of pain that shapes how you trust and how you make decisions. The trauma I experienced as a child led me down a path of poor decisions. I didn't understand why I reacted the way I did. Those choices eventually led to my incarceration--27 years in prison. During my time in prison, I began to learn who I was. I began to understand that my reactions, my anger, my mistakes--they all came from a place of hurt that I had never faced.
I learned that healing takes work. It takes help. It takes therapy, guidance and support from others. And most importantly, it takes a sincere desire to change.
Healing must come from the sincere desire to learn. It takes time. It takes practice. But it's possible. In doing this, we begin to see the need to reach out and help others--those who also long to become contributing members of society. I now use my experience to help others who have been where I've been--to show them that redemption is real, that it can be earned, and that it begins with the choice to change. My story is not just about trauma or incarceration--it's about the power of the human brain to heal, and the power of the human spirit to rise again.
Redemption is not easy. It takes work. It takes support. It takes love and community. But it is possible--and it is real.
Eloise Edmonds Daniel
The Parole Process
Incredibly, inmates do not have opportunities to appear before the Board, and the Board typically does not meet to discuss individual cases. Board members simply review files regarding the inmates and pass the file along to another member until a majority votes to grant or deny parole. If their requests are denied, inmates must wait up to eight years for reconsideration.
According to the 2024 Annual Report of the Board of Pardons and Parole, the average time served by life-sentenced inmates convicted of serious violent felonies has increased from less than nine years in 1973 to an average of 29.2 years in 2024. Parole releases have decreased from 10,429 in 2020 to 5,443 in 2024.
“I was a judge for 24 years and a prosecutor for eight. I believe it is essential to provide meaningful parole opportunities for individuals serving lengthy sentences, even for serious crimes. Parole is not about excusing past harm, but about recognizing the possibility of genuine growth and change. Many people who committed serious offenses decades ago have taken responsibility, worked hard to rehabilitate themselves, and demonstrated they are no longer a threat to society.
Granting parole to deserving individuals helps reduce prison overcrowding, lowers costs, and reunites families with people who are ready to contribute positively to their communities. Meaningful parole hearings ensure that every person is seen as more than the worst decision they ever made. A just system should balance public safety with fairness, compassion, and the opportunity for redemption."
FAQs
Here are some common questions about our organization and the services we provide.
Our mission is to advocate for the rights of incarcerated individuals, particularly the elderly and ill. We aim to facilitate their successful reentry into society through parole assistance. By providing support and resources, we strive to promote dignity and justice.
You can help by donating to our cause or volunteering your time. Every contribution makes a difference in the lives of those we serve. Together, we can create positive change.
We serve eligible incarcerated individuals in Georgia, focusing on those who are elderly or ill. Our goal is to assist them in securing parole and reintegrating into society. We believe everyone deserves a second chance.
To apply for assistance, please fill out our application form available on our website. Ensure all required information is provided for a smooth process. Our team will review your application and reach out to you.
Our impact is measured by the number of individuals we assist in obtaining parole. We also track successful reentries into society and the support we provide. Every success story fuels our commitment to this cause.
Still have questions?
We're here to help you with any inquiries.
Get Involved and Make a Difference
Your support can transform lives and help those in need find hope and freedom.
