Paroling authorities in 50 States and the District of Columbia responded to the survey, which sought to obtain information on the organization and administration of parole, supervision, parole releases, and revocation practices. The shift in perception from indeterminate sentencing to determinate sentencing and the "just deserts" theory has influenced parole. Since 1976, 11 States and the Federal government have severely limited parole boards' discretion to release offenders. The numbers of prisoners released by parole boards has also declined dramatically in the past ten years. Trends in parole include the development of formal classification systems for community supervision and the use of risk instruments to assess the parolee's likelihood of renewed criminal activity. The survey illustrates that in the past 15 years parole has moved in the direction of more structure and more accountability. 9 references.