Media accounts of crimes committed by parolees often fail to inform the public about the nature of parole or to note that parole release may result from legal mandates rather than from discretionary decisions of parole boards. Parole rests on the rehabilitative concept and is viewed by parole decisionmakers as a cost-effective way to manage the transition from prison back to society. Research on parole's effectiveness has been hampered by methodological problems and does not permit generalizations. Evidence about recidivism rates among parolees and those released without supervision has produced conflicting results and has been subject to a variety of interpretations. Nevertheless, empirical research has shown that the risk assessment instruments used by some paroling authorities are valid methods for identifying groups of parolees with differing rates of recidivism. Despite the disagreements regarding the research results, existing evidence does not support the elimination of what common sense and experience support, and common sense suggests the desirability of providing a period of supervision and support during a transition from institutional life to community life.