Prison Fellowship

Remember Those in Prison

  • DONATE
    • One-Time
    • Monthly
    • Angel Tree
    • Other Ways to Give
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Volunteer
    • Subscribe
    • Angel Tree Christmas
    • Pray With Us
    • Justice Action Center
    • Share on Social
  • STORIES
    • Stories
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • The Restoration Series [Videos]
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Why Help Prisoners?
    • What We Do
    • In-Prison
      • Prison Fellowship Academy
      • In-Prison Programs
      • Hope Events
      • Inside Journal
      • Women’s Ministry
      • Create: New Beginnings
    • Preparing Prisoners for Reentry
    • Angel Tree
      • Register your church or group for Angel Tree
      • Angel Tree Overall
      • Angel Tree Christmas
      • Angel Tree Camping
      • Angel Tree Sports Clinic
    • Justice Reform
      • Second Chance Month
      • Sign the Justice Declaration
      • Get a Copy of Outrageous Justice
    • Warden Exchange
  • RESOURCES
    • Subscribe to Our Email
    • Support for Friends and Family of Prisoners
      • Coping with Incarceration
      • Resources for Prisoners
      • Resources for Children of Prisoners
      • Supporting Successful Prisoner Reentry
    • Resources for Churches and Volunteers
      • In-Prison Ministry
      • Reentry Ministry
      • Family Ministry
      • Justice Reform
      • Mentoring Ministry
    • Resources for Angel Tree® Church Coordinators
    • Resources for Chaplains
    • Resources for D.O.C.
    • Justice Reform Resources
    • For Media Outlets
  • ABOUT US
    • Leadership
    • Chuck Colson
    • Our Beliefs
    • Financials
      • 2020 Annual Report
    • Employment
    • Contact Us
    • In The News

Probation and Parole Requirements

Learn about some of the typical rules for a person being released from prison.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), about 4.8 million people in the U.S. are on probation or parole.

probation and parole requirements

Probation is a court-ordered period of supervision in the community, generally used as an alternative to jail or prison. Parole is a period of community supervision after someone is released from prison. Although not all released prisoners are put on parole, a large majority are. The average time spent on parole is 19 months.

PROBATION AND PAROLE REQUIREMENTS

All convicted offenders must comply with the court-ordered special conditions of their probation or parole. These rules may include:

  • Reporting in person to probation or parole offices
  • Participating in intensive supervision programs
  • Not leaving the designated city/state without permission
  • Finding and maintaining regular employment
  • Not changing residence or employment without permission
  • Not using drugs or alcohol; not entering drinking establishments
  • Not possessing firearms or other dangerous weapons
  • Not associating with persons who have criminal records
  • Submitting to urinalysis or blood testing when instructed
  • Paying supervision fees
  • Obeying all state and local laws

OTHER POSSIBLE REQUIREMENTS

The former prisoner's specific terms of probation or parole are provided in writing at their first visit with their probation or parole officer. Other conditions of probation and parole may include:

  • Conforming to electronic monitoring and special curfews
  • Participating in transitional housing programs
  • Paying restitution to victims in a timely manner
  • Attending anger management courses
  • Following court-ordered alcohol and drug counseling
  • Following court-ordered mental health counseling and treatment
  • Staying away from the victim(s) of their crime(s), particularly in cases that involved domestic violence, stalking, harassment, or assault
  • Registering as a sex offender; obeying all restrictions for sex offenders

Reentry ministry volunteers should encourage probationers and parolees to adhere to the terms of their community supervision and attend all required meetings. Most states post their standard requirements for probation and parole on the Internet.

If you are assisting an ex-prisoner with reentry, it is important to understand what type of community supervision he or she has been assigned and all the rules that apply.

DOWNLOAD THIS RESOURCE

Download this resource. Once downloaded, you can print, save, or share the pages with others.

DOWNLOAD

CONNECT WITH PRISON FELLOWSHIP

Sign up to receive our weekly eNewsletter, which highlights stories of transformed lives and second chances, as well as resources and information from around the ministry.

SIGNUP TODAY

NEW ON OUR BLOG

  • Virtual Reporters Roundtable to Focus on Crack/Powder Cocaine Disparities on Tuesday
  • A Desperate Prayer: How Teresa Stanfield Broke Free from Addiction
  • #EndTheDisparity Virtual Reporters Roundtable Scheduled Following Lobby Week
  • Faith Groups Urge Tennessee Lawmakers to Address Criminal Justice Issues This Session
  • How a Cancer Diagnosis Brought Susan and 300 Prisoners Together

SHARE YOUR STORY

Do you have a story about how Prison Fellowship has impacted your life? We want to hear from you.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

RESOURCES & INFORMATION

  • For Families & Friends of Prisoners
  • For Churches & Angel Tree Volunteers
  • For Media Outlets
  • For Wardens & Prison Officials

PF®

NEW ON OUR BLOG

  • Virtual Reporters Roundtable to Focus on Crack/Powder Cocaine Disparities on Tuesday
  • A Desperate Prayer: How Teresa Stanfield Broke Free from Addiction
  • #EndTheDisparity Virtual Reporters Roundtable Scheduled Following Lobby Week
  • Faith Groups Urge Tennessee Lawmakers to Address Criminal Justice Issues This Session

FIND US ONLINE

FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE
LINKEDIN

RECEIVE UPDATES

Sign up to receive news, stories, and information based on your needs and interests.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

PFM®

  • CONTACT US
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • PRIVACY
  • FINANCIALS
© 2021 PRISON FELLOWSHIP®

Angel Tree®, Angel Tree Camping®, and Warden Exchange® are programs of Prison Fellowship®.