A parole board possesses the authority to decide whether a prisoner will be released from prison on parole. A parole board is typically staffed by a group of individuals who interpret a judge’s sentencing instructions; review a prisoner’s history and progress while incarcerated; and hold hearings with the prisoner, social workers and prison staff.
A parole board functions in a quasi-judicial manner to balance the interests of the public and the interests of the prisoner. It is tasked with considering a wide variety of factors before granting parole.
The practice of parole reflects the idea that prisoners who exhibit good behavior and who demonstrate personal development through actions like completing degrees, participating in reconciliation programs, and completing psychological assessments may deserve to be released from prison before their maximum sentence runs out.