Commissioner Felts Awarded by APAI for Post-Prison Transfers

North Little Rock, Ark. - Post-Prison Transfer Board Commissioner John Felts was recently presented with the Ben Baer Award by the Association of Paroling Authorities International (APAI) at its annual Training Conference in Atlanta, Ga. Benjamin F. Baer was a public parole official serving for over 48 years, and this award recognizes other individuals who have demonstrated a significant service nationally and locally in the field of parole, bringing credit and honor to the profession.Felts and his wife Kathy, a native of the Rowell community and former teacher at Woodlawn High School, are residents of East End. They are the parents of two adult children and nine grandchildren. He is a graduate of Stuttgart High School and the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Commissioner Felts’ career has spanned five different decades, serving with distinction as an Institutional Parole Officer (1982-1988), Parole Board Commissioner (1998–2011, 2024-present), Board of Corrections, Board Member (2011-2024), and Parole Board Chairman (2011–2024). Commissioner Felts has served under the administration of four governors, both Democrat and Republican.  His reappointment by four different administrations is a testament to the trusted knowledge, honor, and credibility he brings to the profession of parole. His impact extends beyond Arkansas.  He has played a national leadership role in parole and corrections, serving as Vice-Chairman of the Southern Region of APAI and engaging in extensive collaborations and speaking engagements with criminal justice and correctional leaders across the country.  He has served on criminal justice advisory panels, including the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  He’s mentored professionals at every level, locally and nationally: new board members, officers in the field, and seasoned parole professionals have sought out his guidance. His tenure has ...