Probation is a period of supervision of a person, ordered by the court often instead of jail time. The person must follow certain behavioral conditions, like checking-in with their designated Probation Officers, or else they may be incarcerated.
Example: “I went to court and was placed on probation instead of going to jail.”
Parole is a form of early release of an individual in prison where they meet with a parole board. The individual will agree to follow certain behavioral conditions, including checking-in with their designated parole officers. If they do not follow these conditions, the individual may be incarcerated.
Example: “When the Parole board decided I was ready, I was released from Prison on Parole.”
Community Supervision (as it applies to Department of Corrections) is a form of release from prison. Upon release from prison, the person shall serve a certain percent of the total sentence under Community Supervision, as stated in Truth in Sentencing Laws. The person must follow certain behavioral conditions, including checking-in with their designated community corrections officers, or else they may be required to return to prison.
Example: “I served 85% of my sentence in prison and was released on Community Supervision for the last 15%.”
Find more information about Probation, Parole and Community Supervision in the flyers below.
Probation Vs Parole Definitions FAQs English | Español
Community Supervision English | Español
To learn more about Court Ordered Evaluation (COE) and Court Ordered Treatment (COT), visit our ACC or ALTCS webpage.