The Basics of Parole

Parole is conditional release from prison before the end of a sentence.

Examples of Parole Conditions

Parole conditions impose significant restrictions on parolees, who are in some sense still serving their prison time. These conditions allow the authorities to retain some control and supervision while trying to reintegrate the parolee into society.

Parole Search Conditions

Can law enforcement officers enter your house and dig through your stuff any time they want without a warrant?

Eligibility for Parole

An offender’s parole eligibility date is getting closer. Does that approaching date mean he or she is almost out from behind bars?

How does parole work?

Parole is a prison inmate’s privilege of conditional freedom. The prisoner gets out from behind bars, but has to live up to a series of responsibilities.

What's the purpose of parole?

Parole is an opportunity for a prisoner who has served part of a prison sentence to transition back into society.

What Are Common Parole Conditions?

Common parole conditions include: reporting to a parole officer avoiding criminal activity not possessing any guns agreeing to law enforcement searches, and submitting to drug testing.

Are all prisoners entitled to parole?

Not all prisoners are eligible for parole, and eligibility alone often doesn’t guarantee it. But many prisoners do become eligible for parole and eventually receive their early release.

Are the differences between parole and probation significant?

I live in a  housing project  with a lot of gangs and crime. Some of my friends say they have to be really careful -- or they have to go to drug treatment or do  community service  -- because they're on "probation" or "parole." Can you tell me what these words mean, and whether there's a  difference between probation and parole?

Who makes parole decisions?

Who makes parole decisions depends on which government has jurisdiction over a prisoner. If the inmate is in federal prison, different rules apply than in the state system.

Can victims affect parole decisions?

In many states, victims or their surviving family members have a right to be notified that the prisoner who harmed them is eligible for parole and has an upcoming parole hearing. Victims and such family members can submit their views to the parole board either in writing or by making a personal appearance

Does public opinion affect parole decisions?

Whether or not they are secretly or subconsciously influenced by public opinion, parole boards in some places aren’t allowed to consider it. In others, they can consider it, but don’t have to.

Can a parole board change its decision?

Parole boards decide whether prisoners will be released on parole, and in general, they may reconsider their decisions.

What happens if a parolee violates a condition of parole?

If a parolee violates a condition of release, the parole board may revoke parole and order the parolee returned to prison. Before this happens, however, due process entitles a parolee to:

Do parolees have a right to appointed counsel at a parole revocation hearing?

No. But parolees may ask the court that sentenced them to appoint counsel for a parole revocation hearing.