Probation and parole are two forms of community supervision used in the criminal justice system. Probation is a court-ordered period during which an offender remains in the community instead of serving time in prison, often under specific conditions like regular check-ins with a probation officer. Parole, on the other hand, is the conditional release of a prisoner before completing their full sentence. Individuals on parole must follow certain rules and report to a parole officer. Both probation and parole aim to rehabilitate offenders and reduce recidivism while ensuring public safety.