Distinguish probation from parole.

• A. Parole is an early release from prison with supervision; probation is a sentence served in the community.
• B. Probation is a sentence served in the community; parole is early release from prison with supervision.
• C. Probation and parole are the same.
• D. Parole requires no supervision.

Answer: (C)

Probation and parole involve supervision in the community, but they occur at different points in the criminal justice process. Probation is a sentence imposed by the court that allows someone convicted of a crime to stay in the community under supervision, instead of serving time in prison. Parole is conditional release from prison after someone has already served part of a sentence, with supervision for the remainder. Both carry conditions and can be revoked if those conditions are violated, but the key difference is timing: probation starts as the sentence in the community, whereas parole happens after incarceration as a way to re-enter society.