Supervision types
Parole, probation and supervised release are not interchangeable.
This page exists to route the request to the correct practice category. It is not legal advice.
Probation
In the federal system, probation is community supervision imposed by the court instead of incarceration.
Supervised release
In the federal system, supervised release is imposed by the court to follow a jail or prison sentence.
Parole
Federal parole is associated with U.S. Parole Commission jurisdiction for eligible matters; states may have their own parole systems and terminology.
Federal terminology checked August 12, 2026 against the U.S. Courts post-conviction supervision materials. State systems can differ.