What is the difference between probation and parole?

Probation is a form of criminal sentence where the offender is permitted to serve the remaining jail time in the community.The judge gives the defendant an opportunity to rehabilitate them selves instead of pronouncing the sentence and sending them to prison or jail. The defendant remains free as long as he complies with the probation conditions. The conditions of probation may include: reporting to a probation officer as scheduled, abstaining from the use or abuse of alcohol and/or drugs, maintaining, and not changing a residence marital status, or employment without advanced notice, taking permission from the parole officer, and not engaging in a criminal offenses.

Parole on the other hand, is a conditional early release from prison. The prisoner is released from jail before the end of the original jail sentence into the community. An early release of a prisoner depends on how well they behaved in prison. Once a defendant is released on parole, there are conditions imposed similar to those under probation, such as reporting regularly to a parole officer.

difference between probation and parole