What is the difference between parole and discharging a sentence?
When someone is released on parole they serve the remaining portion of their sentence in the community under the supervision of a DOC Probation and Parole Officer. The time that they owe on parole is served as calendar time or day for day. If someone discharges their sentence, this means they have completed the time owed on their sentence and are released to the community with no supervision. While someone is incarcerated they receive earned credits, which reduces the length of the sentence they have to serve. For example someone who receives a ten-year sentence may only serve six years before they finish their sentence and are discharged.
