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Parole

Parole is the conditional release of prisoners before they complete their sentence. Paroled prisoners are supervised by a public official, usually called a parole officer. If paroled prisoners violate the conditions of their release, they may be returned to prison. For example, paroled prisoners often must get and keep a job, avoid drugs and alcohol, avoid their victims, not commit any crimes, and report regularly to their parole officer. If a paroled prisoner violated his parole by violently assaulting someone, he would probably be returned to prison. If he ran a stop sign, he probably would not be.

Prisoners do not have a right to parole. Typically, prisoners are reviewed by a parole board, which determines whether to parole them and what conditions to place on their release. Rules regarding parole vary by jurisdiction. See, e.g., the United States Parole Commission website.

See Criminal Procedure

Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary

The release of a convicted criminal defendant after that person has completed part of his or her prison sentence, based on the concept that during the period of parole, the released criminal can prove he or she is rehabilitated and can "make good" in society. A parole generally has a specific period and terms, such as reporting to a parole officer, not associating with other ex-convicts, and staying out of trouble. Violation of the terms may result in revocation of parole and a return to prison to complete his or her sentence. Compare: probation

Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.

August 19, 2010, 5:21 pm