APAI History
Early Milestones
Early 1970s
- Association of Paroling Authorities; George Street of Canada serves as first President.
- Membership is 225; Dues are $15/member.
1981
- Sam Houston University becomes home of first administrative office for annual fee of $3000 + minimal expenses. SHU provides equal in-kind administrative grant.
- APA goes ‘public’ with opposition to U.S. Task Force Report recommending the abolishment of the U.S. Parole Commission.
1982
- First newsletter published.
1988
- First Annual Conference held in Washington, DC.
- Administrative offices moved to Council of State Governments in Kentucky.
1989
- Name changed to Association of Paroling Authorities International to reflect international growth.
1993
- First Staff hired. Gail Hughes becomes Executive Secretary.
1995
- Council of Chairs (later renamed Council of Parole and Releasing Authorities) established.
1998
2000
Recognitions by Awards
1992
- Vincent O’Leary Award established in recognition of an individual’s contribution to the Association and demonstrated vision, leadership and commitment to the field of parole
1993
- Community Service Award established in recognition of an individual or organization that contributed significantly to the furthering of the rehabilitative efforts of parole.
- Ben Baer Award established in recognition of an individual’s significant service in the field of parole.
2001
- President’s Award established to recognize an individual or organization that contributes to the Association or the field of parole.
Looking Ahead through Planning, Training and Publications
1991
- First Strategic Plan written
1994
- APAI received a grant of $20,000+ to develop and publish The Practice of Parole Boards, written by John Runda, Edward Rhine and Robert Wetter.
- APAI and APPA partner to publish Abolishing of Parole: Why the Emperor Has No Clothes, written by Peggy Burke.
1995
- First Mission and Core Values Statements written and adopted.
1996
- Trainings initiated for New and Experienced Parole Board members as well as for Hearing Officers, funded by NIC and facilitated by Center for Effective Public Policy.
1997
- First Parole Board Survey conducted.
2004
- Resource Kit for New Board Members published.
- Audio conferences established with funding from NIC.
2006
- Successful Transition and Reentry for Safer Communities: A Call to Action for Parole, funded by JEHT Foundation and written by Peggy Burke and Mike Tonry.
Recent Milestones
2005
- Membership reaches new high of 423.
- Seven standards adopted.
2006
- Gail Hughes retires.
- Committees established by President Lisa Holley.
- Bea Leopold hired as first Executive Director, moving office from Missouri to Pennsylvania.
2007
- Membership tops 450
- APAI becomes incorporated.
- Credit cards accepted.
- Website redesigned and relaunched with members’ only section and member communication enhancements.
2008
- Membership reaches all time high of 511.
- Charles Traughber elected APAI President.
- APAI hosts Annual Training Conference in Louisville Kentucky.
- Created an imporved business plan that is posted on the Web site.
2009
- Hired a new Chief Administrative Officer, Keith Hardison.
- Hosted its Annual Training Conference in Newport, Rhode Island and had particpants from Malaysia, Portugal, Zambia and Hong Kong.
- Formed a partnership with the Center for Effective Public Policy (CEPP) to create the first ever National Paroling Authorities Resource Center (NPARC).