What does paroled mean?
Paroled is the past tense and past participle of parole, the legal release of a prisoner before the end of a sentence. A person who has been paroled remains subject to supervision and must comply with conditions, so the word does not imply complete exoneration or an unconditional return to ordinary life. The expression is especially common in legal reporting, criminal justice, and news writing. It can also describe someone who has been released under parole more generally, though the legal sense is dominant. The related noun 'parolee' denotes the person released on parole. In everyday discussion, 'paroled' may suggest a reduced sentence or an early release, while the legal details determine the precise meaning.
verbPast tense and past participle of parole: to release a prisoner before the end of their sentence, subject to conditions.
- Released from prison before the completion of a sentence, under conditions imposed by the authorities.
"The prisoner was paroled after serving ten years of her sentence."
"The court paroled the defendant on condition that she entered rehabilitation."
"After two years in custody, he was paroled and returned to his family."
Being paroled means the sentence is not erased—it is replaced by a period of supervised freedom.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does paroled come from?
The word derives from the verb 'parole', which entered English from French. French parole ultimately comes from Italian parola, meaning 'word', in the sense of a promise or assurance given by a prisoner. The legal use developed from the idea of a prisoner being released on a promise to abide by the law. The related forms 'parolee' and 'paroling' were later formed within English.
Related word forms
How paroled is actually used
The term is used especially in legal and news contexts. In American English, the standard spelling of the associated adverb is 'paroled' or 'on parole'; British usage also commonly uses 'on parole'. The related noun is 'parolee'.