Does parole mean free?

Asked by: Beatrice Schuppe  |  Last update: February 8, 2025
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Parole is the release of an inmate from prison prior to his or her sentence's maximum date, but after the minimum sentence date, to continue serving the balance of the sentence under supervision in the community. Parole is different from a pardon or a commutation.

What does being on parole mean?

Parole is the term used to describe offenders that have been incarcerated in a prison facility and released prior to the court imposed expiration date. Parolees serve their time in the community and can be returned to prison for violating any of the conditions of parole imposed by the Board of Parole Commissioners.

Do people on parole have to pay?

In California, Nevada, Oregon and New Jersey former inmates do not pay for parole.

What does it mean to go out on parole?

Parole is the release of an inmate, prior to the expiration of the inmate's court-imposed sentence, with a period of supervision to be successfully completed by compliance with the conditions and terms of the release agreement ordered by the Commission.

What does the possibility of parole mean?

The possibility of parole means a person may one day have the opportunity to live outside the prison. This punishment typically applies in cases for serious offenses, such as murder. Understanding life with the possibility of parole can be helpful when facing this sentence.

How Prison Parole ACTUALLY Works

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Can you be on parole for life?

Lifetime probation (or probation for life [in the US state of Georgia], parole for life, lifelong parole, lifetime parole, lifelong probation, or life term probation) is reserved for relatively serious legal offenders.

Does parole mean release?

Parole — which allows people to be released from prison before their maximum sentence release date — was meant to be an integral part of the justice system, rewarding people who turned their life around and encouraging prisons to provide rehabilitative services to ensure a safe and timely release.

What rights does a parolee have?

Once out on parole, a parolee enjoys the privilege of relative freedom in return for abiding by certain conditions. Some common parole conditions are that the parolee: maintain employment and a residence. avoid criminal activity and contact with any victims.

Is parole or probation worse?

A violation of parole is more likely to result in you returning to prison than a similar violation of probation because your initial crime is considered more severe. If you are returned to prison, your parole may be entirely revoked or you may have to go through the parole process all over again.

What happens after parole is done?

A parolee must abide by the conditions of release, and parole may be revoked if any of them are violated. Parolees will remain under supervision until the expiration of his or her sentence unless the Commission terminates supervision earlier.

Does parole mean you are free?

Conversely, parole applies after you've already been behind bars. It allows certain inmates to be released early but under intensive supervision to ensure public safety.

How much is parole fee?

On average, parole supervision costs around $2,750 per year per offender (source).

Do parolees get money?

If you are leaving a California state prison and you are (1) paroled, (2) placed on post-release community supervision (PRCS), or (3) discharged from a CDCR institution or reentry facility, you are entitled to $200 in state funds upon release. These funds are known as “gate money” or “release allowance.”

Who is not eligible for parole?

For a first non-violent felony, eligibility may begin after the offender serves one-quarter of the sentence. But an offender with a second felony may have to serve two-thirds of the sentence before becoming eligible. Those with three or more felonies may not be eligible for parole at all.

What is a sentence without parole?

Any sentence without parole effectively means a sentence cannot be suspended; a life sentence without parole, therefore, means that in the absence of unlikely circumstances such as pardon, amnesty or humanitarian grounds (e.g. imminent death), the prisoner will spend the rest of their natural life in prison.

Why is it called parole?

Parole, both a procedure by which a board administratively releases inmates from prison as well as a provision for post-release supervision, comes from the French word parol, referring to "word," as in giving one's word of honor or promise.

What is a disadvantage of parole?

Disadvantages of Parole:

Reoffending Risks: Similar to probation, there is a risk that individuals on parole may reoffend, especially if they do not receive adequate support or resources to reintegrate into society.

Do most prisoners get parole?

Parole is an option for most prisoners. However, parole is not guaranteed, particularly for prisoners serving life or indeterminate sentences.

What is being on parole like?

Once out on parole, a parolee enjoys the privilege of relative freedom in return for abiding by certain conditions. Some common parole conditions are that the parolee: maintain employment and a residence. avoid criminal activity and contact with any victims.

Can someone on parole go to a bar?

You must not knowingly enter any [bar, tavern, etc.] without first obtaining the permission of the probation officer. You must not go to, or remain at any place where you know controlled substances are illegally sold, used, distributed, or administered without first obtaining the permission of the probation officer.

Can you get married while on parole?

You have a Constitutional right to be married, so neither probation nor Parole can prevent that, however, after that, both agencies can put restrictions on whether or not you can live together or even see each other until you are done with all of your sentence obligations.

What happens after parole in place is granted?

Parole in place is available only for aliens who are present in the United States. If granted parole, and if otherwise eligible, these aliens may apply for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident without being required to leave the United States and be processed by a U.S. consulate overseas.

What happens after parole is granted?

If all goes well and you meet the criteria for Parole in Place, you'll be granted parole for up to three years. This means you're safe from deportation for that period. You'll receive an I-797 Approval Notice, which includes your I-94 record that shows you've been approved for parole.

What status is parole?

In addition to the alphabet of different kinds of visas and immigration status, the Immigration and Nationality Act has a “catch-all” phrase, authorizing the U.S. government to “parole” people in, or to allow people to enter the United States who would not otherwise have a means to obtain a visa to enter.

Can a parolee be around a felon?

Standard Condition Language. You must not communicate or interact with someone you know is engaged in criminal activity. If you know someone has been convicted of a felony, you must not knowingly communicate or interact with that person without first getting the permission of the probation officer.