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.
To learn more about Court Ordered Evaluation (COE) and Court Ordered Treatment (COT), visit our ACC or ALTCS webpage.