What Is The Difference Between Probation And Parole

Probation and parole are two forms of criminal punishment in the United States. While both are alternatives to jail or prison, they are quite different from each other. Probation is a court-ordered period of supervision for a person who has been convicted of a crime but not sent to prison. Probation typically involves regular meetings with a probation officer, complying with a curfew, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, and maintaining employment or attending school. Parole, on the other hand, is a form of early release from prison. The individual is released from prison before their sentence is complete, but is still under supervision by a parole officer. They must adhere to certain conditions, such as meeting regularly with their parole officer, maintaining employment or schooling, and refraining from drugs and alcohol.