Category: Sentencing · Statute: F.S. 947.002 · Source: Florida Legislature
Understanding Parole in Florida
In Florida, parole is a form of post-conviction conditional release administered by the Florida Commission on Offender Review. Under Florida Statutes Section 947.002, parole allows an eligible inmate to serve the remainder of their court-imposed prison sentence outside of a correctional facility, subject to strict supervision and specific conditions. While on parole, the individual must maintain regular contact with a parole officer, refrain from committing new crimes, and comply with restrictions regarding travel, employment, and association.
Crucially, Florida largely abolished parole for most offenses committed on or after October 1, 1983, as part of a legislative shift toward determinate sentencing. Today, parole is only available to a specific, dwindling population of inmates. This includes individuals who committed capital offenses, such as first-degree murder, or certain other high-degree felonies prior to the 1983 cutoff date, as well as those sentenced under specific historical statutes that retained parole eligibility. For modern offenses, Florida utilizes other post-prison supervision mechanisms, such as conditional release or control release, rather than traditional parole.
How Parole Status Affects Bail and Pretrial Release
If an individual currently on parole is arrested for a new offense in Florida, their parole status severely impacts their eligibility for bail. Under Florida law, a new arrest constitutes an immediate violation of parole conditions. The Florida Commission on Offender Review will typically issue a parole violation warrant, which acts as a "no-bond" hold. Consequently, even if a judge sets a reasonable bail amount on the new charge, the defendant cannot be released from jail because the active parole warrant requires them to remain in custody pending a formal revocation hearing.
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