About Parole

Parole is the conditional, supervised release of a prisoner. It is usually the last step in the criminal justice system before a convicted person is deemed to be rehabilitated and unconditionally released into society. Parole offers some relief from the challenges of a dramatically increasing prison population and rising incarceration expenses.

The Purpose of Parole

Those who have been incarcerated for a long period of time often enter the free world with a great degree of difficulty. Parole is designed to allow a transition period for the inmate to become accustomed to life outside of prison. In essence, parole is a test to determine whether an inmate can reintegrate into society.

Parole Locations

The location where a prisoner is to serve his parole period varies from state to state. However, the general location that an inmate is to serve parole is the county that was the inmate's last legal residence prior to being incarcerated. States usually provide that an inmate is required to serve in some other county if doing so would be in the public's best interest.

Conditions of Parole

Parole is not a program whereby the inmate is allowed to live in the community as a non-inmate. Parole is a conditional, supervised release from prison. A person released on parole is required to report to an assigned parole officer. Conditions of parole vary depending on the particular inmate. However, parole almost always includes the relinquishment of the right against unreasonable searches and seizures, the prohibition of weapons and drugs and restrictions on the people the inmate may associate with. In addition, parole generally restricts where the inmate can travel and the types of activities the inmate can engage in.

The Violation of Parole

A violation of a parole condition generally results in the reincarceration of the inmate. The length of the incarceration varies by state, but the prison time which must be served as a consequence of the parole violation is generally up to 1 year. However, parolees on parole under a life sentence can potentially be returned to prison as life prisoners with yearly parole consideration hearings.

Termination of Parole

A parolee is usually released from parole once the parolee has completed the period without any parole violations. However, some states provide for the retention of a parolee past the initial parole discharge date if good cause is shown. Conversely, some jurisdictions permit the early termination of parole if good cause is shown.