Probation is a sentencing alternative to incarceration. Instead of going to prison, the offender serves their sentence in the community under supervision. Probation is granted by a judge at sentencing and may include conditions such as regular check-ins with a probation officer, drug testing, community service, and maintaining employment.
Parole is the supervised release of a prisoner before their sentence is complete. A parole board reviews the inmate's behavior, rehabilitation progress, and risk to the community before granting early release. Parolees must follow specific conditions and report to a parole officer.
Key differences:
Probation is ordered by a judge as part of sentencing; parole is granted by a parole board after serving part of a prison sentence.
Probation is an alternative to prison; parole occurs after time served in prison.
Violating either can result in incarceration — probation violation may result in the original sentence being imposed, while parole violation typically means returning to prison to serve the remainder of the sentence.