Published: October 23, 2008 07:12 pm      

Officials celebrate Project Destiny

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles Thursday night celebrated the one-year anniversary of the faith-based initiative Project Destiny (Dalton Entering Servanthood to Inspire a New You) with officials from the city of Dalton, True Gospel Pentecostal Church, Holly Creek Baptist Church and the state Department of Corrections.

The celebration was held at the True Gospel Pentecostal Church in Dalton, with Bishop Reuben Graham as host pastor.

Nationally, one in 32 adults are under some form of correctional supervision, compared to Georgia where one in 15 adults are under some form of correctional supervision, according to the Parole Board. Thirty-three percent of Georgia inmates will return to prison in three years and Parole Board officials strongly believe that the faith-based community is the missing link in reducing Georgia’s recidivism rate.

During the past year, Project Destiny has helped Whitfield County and Murray County parolees as they transition back into society. The parolees have received temporary help with transportation, employment, housing and in obtaining their GED.

Participants in Thursday night’s celebration included Murray County native L. Gale Buckner, Parole Board chair; vice chair Robert E. Keller; and board members Garfield Hammonds Jr., Garland R. Hunt and Milton E. “Buddy” Nix Jr.

For more information on the Parole Board, visit www.pap.state.ga.us.