Serving the citizens of Louisiana through informed decision-making in clemency pursuits, and promoting public safety and facilitating successful reentry for returning residents.
Parole in Louisiana allows a person to finish their sentence while under supervision of the Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole.
View the process
Both pardon and parole hearings are open to the public. Individuals interested in attending a hearing at the Department of Corrections Headquarters should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the hearings at 8:30 AM and must report to the Security Office for processing. Attendance is also availble through ZOOM. Please see the below instructions for creating a ZOOM account. The docket list will also have the meeting ID.
ZOOM InstructionsPardon and Parole hearings are conducted utilizing video conferencing technology. The hearings will be conducted using ZOOM Video Conferencing that will allow for observation and comment by members of the public. Please check the Parole Schedules & Dockets for more information.
Find schedules for upcoming Parole Board hearings, as well as decisions from previous Parole Board hearings.
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Mrs. Ranatza retired from the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections in 2011, after serving over 30 years in DPS&C. She served in a variety of management positions throughout the Department, with her last position being that of deputy secretary. Mrs. Ranatza was the first female in Louisiana to achieve the designation of Certified Corrections Executive by the American Correctional Association and is a member several corrections affiliated organizations. She was appointed as chairman of the Louisiana Board of Parole in February 2012 and chairman of the Pardon Board in August 2012. She was re-appointed as board chair by Governor John Bel Edwards on January 20, 2016.
After studying criminal justice at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La., and completing the Calcasieu Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy, Mr. Wise served as a deputy in the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office for 18 years as supervisor over all uniformed divisions. He served as an investigator at Louisiana State Penitentiary after having completed the Corrections Training Academy. Mr. Wise was first appointed to the Louisiana Board of Parole in 2004 and was appointed to the Pardon Board in August 2012. He was re-appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards on January 20, 2016.
Judge Bonnie Jackson earned her J.D. from the Louisiana State University Law Center in 1978, one of five African American students to graduate from the law school that year. Judge Jackson worked for the East Baton Rouge Parish Public Defender’s Office for 14 years. While there she became the assistant director, a position she held until the launch of her judgeship campaign. Bonnie Foster Jackson was a judge for Section 1, Division K of the Louisiana 19th Judicial District Court. She left office on December 31, 2020.
Tony Marabella is a graduate of LSU, obtaining his Juris Doctorate in 1973 from LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He has participated in all aspects of the Judicial Branch, starting as a Parish Attorney and moving on to serve as a City Prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney, and an Assistant Public Defender. He began his private practice in 1980 which was devoted almost exclusively to criminal defense. In 2003 he was elected Judge in the 19th JDC. While sitting on the bench he presided over the District’s Drug Court for 14 years. While he retired from the bench in 2018 he has served as an adjunct faculty member at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center for the last ten years.
Mr. Roche’ served as the director of library services at Southern University Law Center from 1990 until his retirement in August of 2007. Prior to becoming the director of library services, Mr. Roche’ served a variety of roles in the Southern University System, including associate law librarian and associate professor at the University Library. Mr. Roche’ received his bachelor of sciences degree in social science-history with a minor in library science from Southern University and a masters of library services from Louisiana State University. Mr. Roche’ serves on the Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole as the victims’ advocate.
Mr. Kelsey is a physical therapist with 20 years of experience, 15 of which were in his own private practice. Throughout his career, Mr. Kelsey has worked in a variety of settings including mental health outpatient, rehab, and acute care. Mr. Kelsey received a bachelor of science in physical therapy from Louisiana State University Medical Center and a master’s in general business and healthcare from Southeastern Louisiana University. Mr. Kelsey was appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to serve as an at-large member of the Committee on Parole.
Ms. Wise began her criminal justice career as a probation and parole officer in the Monroe District Office of the Division of Probation & Parole. Her career spanned over 20 years. She served as community resources coordinator for the district and also supervised a unit of probation and parole officers. Ms. Wise received her master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Louisiana Monroe and is a veteran of the Louisiana National Guard. After her retirement from the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections, Governor John Bel Edwards appointed Ms. Wise to serve as an at-large member of the Committee on Parole on February 12, 2016.
