The concept of parole as a process for determining the appropriate time to release an individual from the institutional setting back into the community brings with it a wide array of problems. The discretionary release decision process is deeply imbedded in a rehabilitative model and is closely associated with indeterminate sentences. It is possible to work out a sensible approach to determining a time for release to parole, given an indeterminate sentencing structure and a set of guidelines. A criticism of the indeterminate approach to discretionary release, however, is the difficulty in determining when an individual has reached the point where he or she is ready to adjust to society. Whether determinate or indeterminate sentencing structures are involved, offender supervision after the prison experience is necessary. Parole can be effective in reducing recidivism after release and therefore should be a key consideration in the discretionary release decision process and in postinstitutional supervision.