PAROLE:

Parole is the supervised release of a prisoner before the completion of his or her sentence. Parolees are still considered to be serving their sentences, and may be returned to prison if they violate the conditions of their parole. In nearly all cases, conditions of parole include obeying the law, obtaining some form of employment, and maintaining some contact with a parole officer. In the United States, courts may specify in a sentence how much time must be served before a prisoner is eligible for parole.

In most states, the decision of whether an inmate is paroled is determined in a paroling authority such as a parole board. Simply displaying good conduct while incarcerated does not always guarantee that an inmate will be paroled. Other factors may enter into the decision to grant or deny parole, most commonly the establishment of a permanent residence and immediate, gainful employment or some other clearly visible means of self-support upon release (such as Social Security if the prisoner is old enough to qualify). Many states now permit sentences of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole (such as for murder and espionage), and any prisoner not sentenced to either this or the death penalty will eventually have the right to petition for release. However, one state – Alaska – maintains neither the death penalty nor life imprisonment without parole as sentencing options.

Before being granted the parole, the inmate must first agree to abide by the conditions of parole set by the paroling authority. These conditions usually require the parolee to meet regularly with his or her parole officer or community corrections agent, who assesses the behavior and adjustment of the parolee and determines whether the parolee is violating any of his or her terms of release (typically these include being at home during certain hours, maintaining steady employment, not absconding, refraining from illicit drug use and sometimes, abstaining from alcohol). In some cases, a parolee may be discharged from parole before the time called for in the original sentence if it is determined that the parole restrictions are no longer necessary for the protection of society (this most frequently occurs when elderly parolees are involved).

PROBATION:

Probation is the suspension of a jail sentence. The criminal has been convicted of a crime, but instead of serving jail time, has been found by the Court to be suitable for probation and will be returned to the community for a period in which they will have to abide to certain conditions set forth by the Court under the supervision of a probation officer. These conditions may include maintaining employment,abiding to a curfew, living where directed, abstaining from unlawful behavior, following the probation officer's orders, not absconding, and refraining from contact with other individuals, who may include victims of the original crime potential victims of similar crimes potential witnesses, or those who have partnered with the offender in the earlier crime.

Usually the offender is supervised by a probation officer, to monitor their performance during the probation period. The probation officer helps the offender to adapt to living in the community and also guides and helps them behave in a lawful and responsible way.