parole
puh-ROHL
/pəˈroʊl/
The conditional release of a prisoner before the expiration of their sentence, under supervision and specific conditions.
Parole happens AFTER someone has served part of their prison sentence, contingent upon good behavior and strict compliance.
The story behind the word. From French 'parole d'honneur' (word of honor). Originally, captured officers in war were released if they gave their 'parole'—their solemn word—not to take up arms again.
Word relationships
- conditional release: Conditional release is a technical description, while parole is the specific institutional mechanism.
- incarceration: Incarceration is physical confinement in prison.
- detention: Detention is holding someone in custody.
Commonly confused with
- probation: Probation is serving a supervised period in the community BEFORE or INSTEAD of prison; parole is conditional release AFTER serving prison time.
Word family
- parolee (noun): A person who has been released on parole.
Collocations
- eligible for parole
- grant parole
- parole board
- violate parole
- parole officer
Idioms & expressions
- on parole
Example sentences
- "The prisoner was granted parole after serving twelve years of his twenty-year sentence." Correctional decision
- "Violating the strict conditions of her parole meant immediate re-incarceration." Legal restriction
Memory hook
PAROLE = Giving your word of honor (parole) to obey rules upon release. Parole = Word of honor after prison.
When not to use
Do not confuse with probation, which occurs INSTEAD of serving prison time upfront.
Fun facts
- In medieval chivalry, a captured knight could be released on 'parole' simply by promising to return with his ransom money by a set date.
Related words
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