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Difference Between Probation and Parole
Difference Between Probation and Parole
While both probation and parole offer supervision for individuals convicted of a crime, there are some
basic differences. While probation is a sentence used in place of jail time, often used for first time and
non-violent offenders, parole is supervised release of an individual who has already served jail or prison
time.
Both probation and parole have the goal of rehabilitating offenders, and of keeping them out of jail or
prison. In both cases, the offender is required to follow strict conditions, and to report on a regular basis to
their assigned parole or probation officer. Probation is a sentence issued by the judge at trial. Parole may
be granted only after a minimum amount of time in jail or prison has been served, and is granted at the
discretion of the parole board.
In the few criminal justice systems where their roles are different, the parole officer is involved after the
offenders have served some of their time in prison while the probation officer works with those who are
given probation sentence. This probation sentence does not require serving some time in prison.
2. The probation or parole officer is involved in pre-sentence investigations. The courts need help when
sentencing a convicted criminal. The criminal’s character and records are important. It would be unfair to
sentence a person who just committed a crime for the first time to the same sentence as a habitual
offender.
This is where the parole or probation officer must help the courts. He or she will investigate the
offender’s record. This can be done by talking to friends, family, and digging into public records. The
probation or parole officer must then present his or her findings to the court to help guide the court’s
sentencing.
3. The parole or probation officer is involved in pre-parole investigations. Again the investigation will
involve digging into the convicted criminal’s behavior and record while in prison. The parole or probation
officer will accomplish this by talking to warden’s, relatives, complainants, and even the police.
4. The probation or parole officer is involved in the rehabilitation of the parolee. In this instance, the
officer must help plan the parolee’s effective re-introduction into society. This will involve helping the
parolee acquire job training, job, and social skills by recommending the appropriate resources. The parole
or probation officer must also monitor how the parolee in progressing in these resources.
5. Probation or parole officers have the power to arrest parolees or probationers. If a parolee or
probationer breaks the terms of the parole and the probation or parole officer feels it has become
necessary to send him or her to jail, then they must arrest the parolee.
This means parole or probation officers can carry guns. While they are advised to seek police assistance if
the need for arrest arises, there are times police will not be readily available. So a gun may be needed in
case the situation becomes dangerous.