What is meant by parole?

Parole refers specifically to the conditional release of a prisoner before they have fully served their sentence. This is a part of the criminal justice system designed to reintegrate offenders back into society while still imposing certain restrictions and conditions on their behavior. When an individual is paroled, they are still under the supervision of the correctional system, often required to comply with specific conditions such as regular check-ins with a parole officer, maintaining employment, or avoiding certain people or places.

This system is intended to balance the goals of punishment and rehabilitation, offering an opportunity for offenders to demonstrate that they can comply with societal norms and laws after a period of incarceration. The conditional nature of parole helps manage risk and encourages successful reentry into the community.