What distinguishes probation from parole?

Probation is a court-ordered period of supervision that occurs instead of incarceration, meaning that the individual may remain in their community under specific conditions set by the court without having served time in prison. This is intended to provide the offender with an opportunity to rehabilitate while still being monitored.

Parole, on the other hand, is a conditional release from prison before the full sentence has been served. It allows individuals who have completed a portion of their prison sentence to reintegrate into society under supervision. This distinction is crucial as it illustrates that probation is an alternative to jail time, while parole is a privilege granted after serving time.

The other options mix up these concepts, leading to confusion. Recognizing that probation is an option provided by a judge at sentencing while parole is granted after serving a portion of a sentence clarifies the essential differences between the two.