Parole (also known as supervised release) is the early, conditional release from prison of a criminal offender who is allowed to serve the remaining portion of their sentence in the community. Prisoners generally may be released to parole either by a parole board decision (discretionary release/discretionary parole) or according to the provisions of a statute (mandatory release/mandatory parole).

Parolees may be assigned one of a number of different supervision statuses, including active supervision—which means the parolee is required to report regularly to a parole authority in person, by mail, or by telephone. And some parolees may be on inactive status—which means they are not required to report to a parole officer or authority on a regular basis. A parolee may receive a reduction in supervision due to compliance or meeting all required conditions before the parole sentence terminates.

Under federal law, the United States Parole Commission may grant parole if (1) the inmate has substantially observed the rules of the institution; (2) release would not depreciate the seriousness of the offense or promote disrespect for the law; and (3) release would not jeopardize the public welfare.

Parole under federal law has three primary purposes: (1) through the assistance of the United States Probation Officer, a parolee may get help with issues concerning employment, residence, finances, and other personal matters that may be challenging upon release from prison; (2) parole protects society by helping former prisoners become established in the community, and reducing the likelihood of them committing a new offense; and (3) parole prevents the needless imprisonment of persons who are not likely to commit another crime and who meet the criteria for parole. While in the community, supervised parole is focused on reintegrating the offender as a productive member of society.

Parolees are typically required to fulfill certain conditions and follow specific rules of conduct while in the community, and failure to do so may result in a return to prison or jail.

Laws regarding eligibility for and conditions of parole vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Alabama, parole is a system that allows for the conditional release of inmates from prison to serve the remainder of their sentence under supervision in the community. The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles is the authority responsible for granting parole to eligible inmates. Parole eligibility and conditions are governed by state statutes, which outline factors such as the nature of the crime, time served, and inmate behavior. Parolees are typically subject to active supervision, requiring them to report to a parole officer and adhere to specific conditions. These conditions may include maintaining employment, avoiding criminal activity, and attending counseling sessions. Compliance with these conditions can lead to a reduction in supervision, while violations can result in revocation of parole and a return to incarceration. Federal parole, which is less common since the federal system moved towards determinate sentencing, is overseen by the United States Parole Commission and focuses on reintegration of the offender into the community, protection of society, and prevention of unnecessary imprisonment of those who are unlikely to reoffend. The conditions and supervision for federal parolees are similar to those at the state level, aiming to support the parolee's transition back into society while ensuring compliance with the law.