Probation is a criminal sentence that is imposed following a criminal conviction, while parole is a program in which an offender is released from prison for the remaining duration of his or her sentence. However, both programs are largely similar. Offenders are required to abide by the conditions of their probation or parole, including reporting to a probation/parole officer. Violating any of the conditions of probation or parole can lead to consequences ranging from the imposition of more strict conditions of probation/parole to requiring the offender to report to jail or prison to serve out the remainder of his or her sentence.