Parole

Introduction to Parole

Parole, in criminal law, pledge of good conduct given by a person convicted of crime as a condition of release from imprisonment before the expiration of the term of confinement. The word parole is also broadly used to denote such a conditional release or period of liberty. Parole is usually granted to a prisoner in recognition of past good conduct, both in prison and earlier. A sentenced criminal may be released on parole before the maximum limit of the prison term has been reached, either on the expiration of the minimum term or of some other shorter term fixed by statute on condition of good behavior. The release in such case is not an absolute discharge, such as that received as a matter of right on the expiration of the full term, but is conditional on the due performance of the parolee’s pledge. During the same parole period the parolee is required to report from time to time to prison authorities or to a parole agent or parole officer to whose custody he or she was assigned when released. Other stipulations of parole include avoiding association with known criminals and remaining within a certain locality. For a violation of parole within the time limit, the parolee is liable to be apprehended and returned to prison to serve out the full or maximum term.” (1)

Criminal Procedure: Sentencing Parole

Introduction to Parole

In many jurisdictions, a defendant sentenced to prison may be eligible for release on parole after a portion of the sentence has been served. Parole authorities grant parole based on factors such as the prisoner’s behavior while in jail and the predicted potential for the prisoner to refrain from further criminal activity. The possibility of parole does not exist for some serious criminal offenders. If parole is granted, the person on parole (known as the parolee) remains under the supervision of a parole officer until the expiration of the sentence or a term otherwise specified by law. If the parolee violates the conditions of parole, the parole authorities may revoke parole, returning the parolee to prison for the remainder of the unexpired sentence.” (2)

Parole

Resources

Notes and References

1. Information about Parole in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia
2. Information about Parole in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Parole

See Also

• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Parole board
• Probation
• Mandatory Sentencing

Discretion in Legal Decision Making; Prediction Studies; Prisons and Jails, Criminology of; Prisons and Jails, Economics of; Punishment, Psychology of; Punishment and Sentencing Alternatives; Rehabilitation and Treatment; Victim’s Rights

Further Readings

Burns, Ronald; Patrick, Kinkade; Matthew C. Leone; Scott Phillips. “Perspectives on Parole: The Board Members’ Viewpoint.” Federal Probation, 63 (no. 1), 16-23 (1999).
Carroll, John S.; Pamela A. Burke. “Evaluation and Prediction in Expert Parole Decisions.” Criminal Justice and Behavior, 17, (1990). 315-32.
Feder, Lynette. “Psychiatric Hospitalization History and Parole Decisions.” Law and Human Behavior, 18, (1994). 395-410.
Godtfredson, Michael R.; Don M. Gottfredson. (1988). Decision Making in Criminal Justice: Toward the Rational Exercise of Discretion. New York: Plenum Press.
Morgan, Kathryn D.; Brent Smith. “Parole Release Decisions Revisited: An Analysis of Parole Release Decisions for Violent Inmates in a Southeastern State.” Journal of Criminal Justice, 33, (2005). 277-87.
Smith, Brent L.; Erin Watkins; Kathryn Morgan. “The Effect of Victim Participation on Parole Decisions: Results from a Southeastern State.” Criminal Justice Policy Review, 8, (1997). 57-74.

In this Section

Pretrial Events (including Investigation and Arrest, Pretrial Events Booking, First Judicial Appearance, Bail, Preliminary Hearing, Arraignment on the Indictment and Preparation for Trial), Trial, Jury, Trial Evidence, Trial Motions, Burden of Proof, Hung Jury, Motions After Trial, Sentencing (including Sentencing Probation and Parole), Appeals and Habeas Corpus.