The difference between probation and parole
The difference between probation and parole is enormous, although some people use the terms interchangeably. (Journalists often have an unfortunate habit of falling into that category.)
While there’s more to it than this, the short version is: probation means the judge orders someone to report to some form of supervision immediately, and if they don’t follow a fairly lengthy set of rules and regulations they are subjected to going to jail or prison. Parole is a form of supervision granted to defendants, either after their full prison sentence is complete, or, as in Texas, in lieu of finishing their entire sentence.
Again, probation: supervision as the penalty itself; and parole: a period of supervised release after being incarcerated.
