For over three decades, attorney Michael Kennedy has led Michael Kennedy McIntyre & Associates, an Atlanta, Georgia-based law firm focused on post-conviction representation. As part of their work, Michael Kennedy McIntyre & Associates assists clients and their families in understanding parole eligibility, consideration and guidelines, including those related to the Performance Incentive Credit (PIC) program. The product of a Georgia Legislature law passed in 1992, PIC gives eligible offenders the ability to have their tentative parole month (TPM) advanced by successful completion of Georgia Department of Corrections programs and work details and by maintaining good institutional behavior. PIC is available to most parole-eligible offenders. Exceptions include those serving a death sentence, life or life without parole sentences, short sentences of two years of less, or for a non-parole eligible offense. Earning points toward early parole through the PIC program is part of an eligible offender’s case plan, which is developed after they first enter the prison system. Each point earned for a work detail or program participation corresponds to a month of credit that can be applied to advance a Georgia offender’s TPM. The maximum number of points that can be earned is 12. It should also be noted that the Georgia Parole Board maintains sole discretion over deciding whether an offender’s PIC points will be applied and result in an earlier parole date.
