Parole officers supervise offenders who have been released from prison on parole to ensure that they comply with the conditions of their parole. In some states, the job of parole and probation officer is combined.
Parole officers are similar to, but distinguishable from probation officers. Many people who are convicted of crimes are placed on probation, instead of being sent to prison. During probation, offenders must stay out of trouble and meet various other requirements. Probation officers, who are called community supervision officers in some states, supervise people who have been placed on probation.
