What is the Difference Between Parole and Probation?

The main differences between parole and probation are their purpose, timing, and supervision:

1. Purpose: Parole is a conditional release granted to a former convict, allowing them to serve the remaining portion of their sentence outside of prison walls. Probation, on the other hand, is a sentence or disposition imposed by a criminal court or family court, and it is a county function in some states.
2. Timing: Parole comes later, allowing the offender early release from a prison sentence. Probation is part of the offender's initial sentence and is typically handed down by the judge at trial, either in lieu of jail time or in combination with some jail time.
3. Supervision: Parolees are supervised in the community by parole officers, who are state officials employed by the Department of Corrections and Community Corrections. Probationers are supervised by probation officers, who work under the jurisdiction of the court.

In summary, parole is an early release from prison, while probation is a sentence that allows an offender to stay in the community under supervision. Parolees have already served a portion of their sentence in prison, whereas probationers are released in the community without serving a period of local incarceration.

Comparative Table: Parole vs Probation

The main difference between probation and parole is that probation is part of the offender's initial sentence, while parole allows the offender early release from a prison sentence. Here is a table outlining the key differences between probation and parole:

Both probation and parole involve supervision and restrictions on the offender's activities, but they are imposed at different stages of the legal process and serve different purposes.