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

Membership grows to 304.

2000

Website created.

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).