What is the difference between probation and parole?

The distinction between probation and parole centers around the context in which each supervision type is applied. Probation is a court-mandated alternative to incarceration, allowing offenders to remain in the community under certain conditions while serving their sentence. This means that individuals on probation have not been incarcerated, or they have been sentenced to complete their punishment in the community rather than in prison, effectively providing a second chance to reform without serving time behind bars.

On the other hand, parole refers to an individual's early release from prison after serving a portion of their sentence, but still under supervision. This means that individuals on parole have already been incarcerated and are now allowed to serve the remainder of their sentence outside of prison, but they are still subject to certain conditions and monitoring by a parole officer.

Understanding this difference is crucial as it highlights the various pathways individuals may take through the criminal justice system and the focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society for both probationers and parolees.