What is the difference between probation, parole, and pardon?
Probation is a sentence ordered by a judge, usually instead of, but sometimes in addition to, serving time in jail. It allows the convicted person to live in the community for a specified period of time, sometimes under the supervision of a probation officer, depending on the circumstances and the seriousness of the crime. Parole is the conditional release of a prison inmate after serving part (if not all) of his or her sentence, allowing the inmate to live in the community under supervision of the parole period. The decision to grant parole is the responsibility, in a majority of states, of a board of parole or commission. Violations of the conditions of parole result in revocation and re-imprisonment. Pardon means that the individual is fully forgiven from all the legal consequences of his crime and his conviction, and is granted by the governor of the state where the person is imprisoned or where his case arises, or by the President of the United States. Probation is a decision handed down by the judge at trial. It may be in lieu of jail time or in combination with some jail time. It allows the convicted person to live in the community for a specified period of time under the supervision of a probation officer. Depending on the circumstances and the seriousness of the crime, the judge can specify restrictions on the offender's activities during the probationary period. If an offender violates the conditions or rules of probation, he or she may be sentenced to imprisonment by the judge. This is known as revoking the probation or revocation. Parole is the early release of an inmate who has served part of his or her prison sentence. The inmate is allowed to return to the community under the conditions of parole and the supervision of a parole agent. Violation of these conditions can result in a revocation of the parole and re-imprisonment for the offender. The decision to grant parole is the responsibility of the Parole Commission. Probation is actually a portion of the sentence or it is the sentence given by the judge. Most often, when a judge gave the person a probation, it could be a part of the number of imprisonment and then followed with a probation period. There are times that a number of probation years will serve as the punishment for a minor crime committed. If a person is under probation, there are weekly or monthly sessions that he needs to attend to with a probation officer. Other conditions can also include curfew or in some cases are not allowed to drive. Should this person commit a crime, he would be put in jail again and or serve more years for the additional crime committed. Parole on the other hand is being given by the parole board to a prisoner. There are times that judge would sentence these people with life-time imprisonment for the crimes committed. And if the inmate has been well behaved inside the prison, he could be given a parole after his case was reviewed by the parole board. This is a somewhat a reward for non-violent inmates to shorten up their years of imprisonment. If a person is on parole, he also has conditions to meet. He needs to attend meetings with the parole officer and should inform the officer should he leave the country. If he violates these conditions or committed crime while on parole, he would be put to jail and serve the remaining years in prison as per the original sentence given.
The main difference for parole and probation is the person who grants it. A judge gives probation when reading the sentence while a parole board grants parole after observing that inmates has been non-violent inside the prison. What is parole? Early release of a prisoner who is then subject to continued monitoring as well as compliance with certain terms and conditions for a specified period. The freeing of a prisoner before his sentence has expired, on the condition that he is of good behavior. Parole is the system that allows a prisoner to be released before they have served their full sentence and is granted on the basis of reports by prison and probation staff. The decision to grant or not grant parole depends on the nature of a prisoner's offences, their home circumstances, their plans for release, behavior in prison, etc.
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