Probation, on the other hand, is when a judge sentences a person to supervised freedom instead of jail time. Probation and parole are privileges, not rights, so violating the conditions of either will result in penalties and in most cases the obligation to complete the sentence behind bars.
How Do Prisoners Get Released on Parole?
The Michigan parole program is organized by the Department of Corrections, whose parole board determines which prisoners may or may not be eligible for parole. When a prisoner is nearing the end of his or sentence, the board will consider whether his or her mental and social attitudes are compatible with release back into society. The board will also need to see evidence that the prisoner will not be a threat if released on parole.
A released prisoner will need to follow each and every condition set by the parole board. This may include getting a job, avoiding contact with criminals, submitting to drug testing, and of course, not committing any criminal offenses. If the parolee satisfies all of the parole conditions, the department of corrections will eventually consider the sentence to have been completed.
What Happens After a Parole Condition Violation?
Parole officers and other law enforcement officials have the authority to make an arrest when they have a reasonable ground to believe that a person has violated his or her parole conditions. Once arrested, detained parolees have the right to a hearing during which they may challenge the department of corrections’ evidence and present evidence of their own to show that no parole violation took place.
Serious violations of parole conditions, such as committing a crime, will result in the parolee being sent back to jail. For less serious violations, the department of corrections may set a longer parole term or put in place stricter conditions. As of 2006, there is no possibility of appealing a discretionary parole board decision.
