Conditional Liberation (Parole) in France

Anglo-American parole owes its theoretical development and its early systematization, indeed its very existence, to France. It has been said that France has the genius of invention, but that too often the great ideas born in France are neglected there to find their baptism of success in other countries. This remark characterizes the history of the parole concept in France. Yet, the latest innovations being developed in France portend new possibilities for success in the rehabilitation of convicts. This section will trace briefly the history of conditional liberation the French counterpart of Anglo-American parole, and describe the development of the notion from its beginnings to its present state in France as an autonomous phase of the rehabilitation program. Conditional liberation is a mechanism whereby convicts who have shown evidence of social regeneration while in prison may be conditionally released prior to their official release date. Early release is subordinated to certain control conditions and measures of assistance. Revocation of conditional liberation and consequent re-incarceration may result from notorious bad conduct, another conviction, or failure to adhere to the conditions enunciated in the decision of conditional liberation