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Probation vs. Parole
 Many
people think that probation and parole are the same, but they are
different.
Probation
is given instead of a prison sentence, and its purpose is to give
offenders a second chance by allowing them to remain in the community.
The authority to grant or revoke (cancel) probation belongs to the
lower courts, and a probationer (an offender on probation) is supervised
by a single court, a county agency, a state department or a combination
of these. Probation is often given for misdemeanor offenses (less
serious crimes). Conditions of probation are set by the court and
may include keeping regular hours of work, keeping steady employment,
remaining alcohol and drug free, and reporting to probation officers
when required. If the offender violates these conditions, the probation
is revoked and he is sent to prison. Offenders sentenced to probation
may be required to do community service such as working in hospitals,
nursing homes, or juvenile counseling programs.
Parole
is a conditional release from prison after serving a portion of the
sentence. Its purpose is to reduce a long prison sentence and to speed
up and facilitate the offender’s return to the community. The
parole board chooses prisoners that are eligible (qualify) for parole,
controls offenders on parole, reviews parole violations, and determines
when the revocation (cancellation) of parole is necessary. Inmates
serving mandatory prison sentences do not get parole. Only inmates
given sentences with the possibility of parole are eligible for parole
based on “good time.” Good time is the number of days
taken away from a sentence for good behavior. However, an inmate is
not released on parole as soon as he is eligible. During a parole board hearing, members from the board evaluate his record and determine if the inmate is ready to leave prison. The conditions of parole include obeying the law, holding
a job, staying away from drugs, periodically reporting to parole officers,
cooperating with parole officers, and notifying parole authorities
when changing jobs and addresses. When a parolee violates these conditions,
his parole is revoked and he is sent back to prison.
Question: Define parole and probation in your own words, and discuss the purpose of each.
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Instructions:
Type your answer in the box provided. 
