Parole
/pəˈroʊl/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe conditional release of a prisoner before the expiration of their sentence, subject to certain rules and supervision.
/pəˈroʊl/
The release of a prisoner before the completion of their sentence, on the promise of good behavior.
After demonstrating good behavior in prison, the inmate was eligible for parole.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone did something wrong and had to go to jail. Parole is like a deal where they can leave jail early, but they have to promise to be good and follow rules, or they'll go back!
👶 For kids: When someone is in jail and they promise to be good, they can sometimes go home early. That's called parole!
More Examples
The parole board considered the offender's remorse when making their decision.
Violation of parole conditions can result in the parolee being returned to prison.
How It's Used
"The prisoner was granted parole after serving fifteen years."
To release a prisoner on parole.
/pəˈroʊl/
To grant a prisoner parole.
The judge decided to parole the defendant.
💡 Simply: To parole someone is to let them out of jail early, but with rules they need to follow.
👶 For kids: To parole someone means to let them go home early from jail if they promise to be good.
More Examples
The parole board decided to parole the prisoner due to good behavior.
How It's Used
"The parole board paroled the inmate after a thorough review."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
parole board
A panel of people that decides whether a prisoner can be released on parole.
"The parole board interviewed the inmate before making a decision."
on parole
Released from prison before the end of a sentence, but under supervision and subject to certain conditions.
"He was released on parole last year."
From French *parole* ('word, speech'), from Old French *parole* ('word, statement'), from Vulgar Latin *paraula* ('speech, word'), from Latin *parabola* ('comparison, parable, speech'), from Greek *parabolē* ('a throwing beside, a comparison').
The term 'parole' developed in the mid-19th century, evolving from early practices of conditional release after military service or captivity, spreading to the penal system.
Memory tip
Think of it as 'promise release' – the prisoner promises good behavior.
Word Origin
"word, speech"