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Parole and probation may seem like they may mean the same thing, but they don’t. Probation is the sentence that the judge orders, generally instead of, but occasionally in addition to, serving jail time. It gives the person who is convicted the opportunity to live in the community for a certain length of time, usually under a probation officer’s supervision. It depends on the seriousness of their crime and the circumstances of the probation.
On the other hand, parole is the conditional release an inmate gets for serving part or their entire sentence. This also allows the convicted person to live in the community under supervision during the parole period. It is up to the parole board or commission whether or not a parole is granted to an inmate. If the inmate violates the conditions of their parole, then the parole could be revoked and they could be sent back to prison.
Just because an inmate has good conduct while they are incarcerated in prison, it doesn’t mean that they will be granted parole by the parole board. Many factors combine to determine the board’s decision on parole. One of the most common factors is the ability to establish a permanent residence and garner immediate, gainful employment in order to support themselves once they are released. Before ever being granted parole, an inmate must first agree to go along with the conditions of the parole set forth by the parole board.
Whether an inmate is granted probation or parole, the parolee has to agree to meet with his or her parole officer or probation officer on a regular basis. The officers will assess the behavior and adjustment of the convicted person and make sure they don’t get into trouble again. If the parolee doesn’t abide by the rules set forth by the parole board or by the judge on probation, then they risk the chance of being sent back to jail or prison.
Parole and probation may technically be two different things, but both are able to get the convicted person back into the community and out of jail or prison. Also, both parole and probation can be revoked if the convicted person doesn’t abide by the terms of their parole or probation set forth by the parole board or the judge. A violation of parole and probation isn’t an automatic revocation, but it can be a huge setback in an inmate’s rehabilitation and may make their parole or probation officer supervise them more closely. It can also mean that a second violation may be an immediate revocation.
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