Parole
The supervised release of a prisoner before the end of their full sentence, subject to conditions and monitoring.
Parole is the supervised release of a person from prison before they have served the full length of their sentence. While on parole (called “supervised release” in Minnesota), the person must follow strict conditions set by the Department of Corrections, such as regular check-ins with a supervising agent, maintaining employment, avoiding criminal activity, and sometimes wearing an electronic monitor.
Minnesota technically replaced its parole system with “supervised release” in 1980, but the concept is similar. Under Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines, most inmates are released after serving two-thirds of their sentence, with the remaining one-third served on supervised release in the community. The conditions are tailored to the individual and the nature of their offense.
Why it matters: Supervised release helps people transition back into the community while maintaining public safety. Violating the conditions can result in being sent back to prison to serve the remaining time. Successful completion helps with reentry and may improve eligibility for record expungement.
Example: A person sentenced to six years in prison is released after serving four years. They spend the remaining two years on supervised release, meeting regularly with a corrections agent, maintaining employment, and complying with all conditions.
After serving time in prison, community supervision, discussions about early release