Editing Parole (section)

{{Short description|Conditional release of a prisoner}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Criminal procedure (trial)}}

'''Parole''', also known as '''provisional release''', '''supervised release''', or being '''on paper''', is a form  of early release of a [[prisoner|prison inmate]] where the prisoner agrees to abide by behavioral conditions, including checking-in with their designated [[parole officer]]s, or else they may be rearrested and returned to [[prison]]. [[File:A Probation and Parole Officer with the Missouri Department of Corrections interviews a drug-related offense probationer.jpg|thumb|right|230px|A parole officer with the [[Missouri Department of Corrections]] interviews a [[drug-related crime|drug-related offense]] probationer]] 

Originating from the French word {{lang|fr|parole}} ('speech, spoken words' but also 'promise'), the term became associated during the [[Middle Ages]] with the release of prisoners who gave their word. This differs greatly from [[pardon]], [[amnesty]] or [[commutation of sentence]] in that parolees are  still considered to be serving their sentences, and may be returned to prison if they violate the conditions of their parole. It is similar to [[probation]], the key difference being that parole takes place after a prison sentence, while probation can be granted in lieu of a prison sentence.