Definition of parole

The word "parole" has its origins in Old French and Italian. In Italian, the word "parola" means "word" or "promise." In Old French, the word "parole" was borrowed and adapted to mean "word," "promise," or "oath." Initially, the term referred to a prisoner's solemn promise to behave and obey the rules while being released on condition of good behavior. Over time, the concept of parole evolved to encompass a system of conditional release for prisoners, where they would be released from prison and placed under the supervision of corrections officers, with the condition that they would not reoffend. Today, the term "parole" is used in many countries to refer to this system of releasing prisoners on condition of good behavior.