Unlike probation, parole is not a court-imposed sentence. Parole is a mechanism of releasing persons from prison and a means of supervising them after release, instead of an alternative to an incarceration sentence. Parole supervision is often confused with probation because the two share many similarities. Functions of a parole board a. In general, a parole board directs a jurisdiction's parole policies and manages the parole release and termination processes.
Boards also determine whether to revoke the parole of persons who have violated parole conditions.
In most states, field service agencies are administratively independent of parole boards. A field service agency provides community supervision and treatment services for persons who have been granted parole release by the board and makes recommendations to the board concerning termination of parole. Issues in parole a. Perhaps the most controversial issue is whether discretionary parole release should be abolished. Others argue that parole release threatens retribution, deterrence, and public safety.