Definition

1. Noun:

   • (Law) Conditional Release: The release of a prisoner before the completion of their sentence, on the promise of good behavior and subject to specific conditions and supervision.
   • A Promise or Word of Honor: A formal promise, especially one made by a prisoner of war to fulfill certain conditions, such as not to escape or not to take up arms again.
   • A Secret Password: (Archaic/Historical) A secret word or phrase used to gain admittance or identify oneself, especially in a military context.

2. Verb:

   • To Grant Parole: To release (a prisoner) on the terms of parole.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Conditional Release):
  • The board granted him parole after 15 years.
  • She violated the terms of her parole and was sent back to prison.
• Noun (Promise):
  • The captured officer gave his parole not to attempt escape.
• Verb:
  • The governor has the authority to parole certain inmates.
  • He was paroled last month and is now living in a halfway house.

Advanced Usage

• "To be on parole": To be in the status of having been conditionally released from prison.
  • While on parole, he must report to an officer weekly and cannot leave the state.
• "To break one's parole": To violate the conditions or promise made to secure release.
  • By fleeing the country, the prisoner of war broke his parole.

Variants and Related Words

• Parolee (n): A person who is released on parole.
  • Parolees must adhere to strict rules.
• Parolable (adj): Eligible for parole.
  • The judge declared the offense non-parolable.

Synonyms

• Probation (n): A similar period of supervision, often instead of imprisonment. (Note: Parole is release imprisonment; probation is often imprisonment.)
• Release (n): The act of setting free.
• Word of honor (n): A binding promise based on one's integrity.

Related Phrases

• "Up for parole": Being considered for parole release.
  • He will be up for parole in three years.
• "Parole hearing": A meeting where a parole board decides whether to grant parole.
  • The victim's family spoke at the parole hearing.

Idioms

• "Out on parole": Synonymous with "on parole"; released conditionally.
  • He's been out on parole for six months and is doing well.

Noun

1. (law) a conditional release from imprisonment that entitles the person to serve the remainder of the sentence outside the prison as long as the terms of release are complied with
2. a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group
   • he forgot the password
3. a promise
   • he gave his word

Verb

1. release a criminal from detention and place him on parole
   • The prisoner was paroled after serving 10 years in prison