What is Parole
Parole is the supervised early release of a prisoner before the end of their sentence, conditioned on following specific rules and regularly reporting to a parole officer.
Parole is the conditional, supervised release of a prisoner before they have served their complete sentence. A parolee is released from incarceration but remains under the authority of the correctional system, subject to specific conditions set by a parole board. Violating parole conditions can result in reincarceration to serve the remainder of the original sentence.
How Parole Works
The Parole Board
A parole board (also called a parole commission) is an administrative body that reviews cases of eligible inmates and decides whether to grant parole. The board considers:
- Nature and severity of the offense
- Conduct and behavior while incarcerated
- Evidence of rehabilitation (education, job training, counseling)
- Prison disciplinary record
- Risk of re-offending (risk assessment tools)
- Victim impact statements
- Release plan (housing, employment, support system)
Parole Conditions
Common conditions that parolees must follow:
- Regular meetings with a parole officer (often weekly or monthly)
- No possession of firearms or weapons
- No contact with victims or co-defendants
- Drug testing — random urinalysis
- Maintaining steady employment or enrollment in school
- Remaining within a geographic area (no travel without permission)
- Curfews
- No association with known criminals
Parole Violations
If a parolee violates conditions:
- The parole officer files a violation report
- A parole revocation hearing is held
- The board can revoke parole and return the person to prison
Parole vs. Probation
| Feature | Parole | Probation |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | After serving part of prison sentence | Instead of (or in addition to) prison |
| Decision-maker | Parole board | Sentencing judge |
| Who qualifies | Incarcerated prisoners | Convicted defendants |
| Setting | Released from prison | Never (or briefly) imprisoned |
Mandatory Release vs. Discretionary Parole
- Discretionary parole — Board decides whether to grant early release
- Mandatory release / supervised release — Federal system; prisoner is automatically released at a set point (e.g., 2/3 of sentence) under supervision
The End of Parole
Parole ends when the full sentence term expires. After that, the person's sentence is complete. Some states allow early discharge from parole if the parolee demonstrates sustained good behavior.