What distinguishes parole from probation?

The distinction between parole and probation primarily lies in the timing and context of their application within the criminal justice system. Parole specifically refers to the conditional release of an inmate after serving a portion of their prison sentence. It allows individuals to serve the remainder of their sentence in the community under supervision, often with specific conditions they must adhere to. This serves as a reintegration strategy designed to reduce recidivism and facilitate successful reentry into society.

In contrast, probation is typically imposed instead of incarceration. It occurs when a judge sentences an offender to a period of supervision in the community rather than sending them to prison. This can be either before or after a trial, but it does not involve serving time in a correctional facility first as parole does.

Given this context, the correct answer emphasizes that parole specifically occurs after incarceration, marking a significant point of differentiation between the two terms within community corrections.