Which of the following best describes parole?

Parole is best described as a conditional release after serving time in prison. This means that an individual who has been incarcerated is allowed to complete the remainder of their sentence under supervision in the community. Parole is typically granted based on behavior while incarcerated and is often accompanied by specific conditions that the individual must adhere to, such as regular meetings with a parole officer, attending rehabilitative programs, or avoiding certain activities.

This understanding distinguishes parole from the other options presented. A mandatory release without any conditions implies that the individual has no obligations to meet after release, which is not the case with parole. Additionally, while early discharge sounds similar to parole, it lacks the essential element of supervision and conditions. Lastly, serving a sentence outside of prison reflects different concepts such as probation or alternative sentencing rather than parole, which specifically involves a supervised release from prison after serving part of a sentence.