THE DEFINITION, HISTORY, AND PURPOSES OF PAROLE ARE CONSIDERED, AND IT IS NOTED THAT VARIATIONS IN SENTENCING STRUCTURE FROM ONE JURISDICTION TO ANOTHER AFFECT THE NATURE OF PAROLE IN THOSE JURISDICTIONS. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SENTENCING CONSIDERED CONSISTENT WITH PAROLE OBJECTIVES ARE LISTED. THE VARIED CONCERNS OF PAROLE BOARDS IN THEIR DECISIONMAKING ARE DISCUSSED UNDER THE TOPICS OF FAIRNESS AND PROPRIETY, APPROPRIATE SANCTIONS AND PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE ORGANIZATION OF PAROLING AUTHORITIES IS DESCRIBED UNDER THREE MODELS: THE INSTITUTIONAL MODEL, WHERE THE STAFF MEMBERS OF EACH INSTITUTION SERVE ON THE BOARD; THE INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY, WHERE BOARD MEMBERSHIP COMES FROM OUTSIDE THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM PERSONNEL; AND THE CONSOLIDATION MODEL, WHERE THE PAROLE BOARDS FUNCTION AS PART OF THE CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATION BUT HAVE NO IDENTIFICATION WITH ANY INSTITUTION. THE QUALIFICATIONS OF PAROLE BOARD MEMBERS, THE PROCEDURES FOR MAKING APPOINTMENTS, TERMS OF OFFICE AND SALARY, AND TRAINING FOR BOARD MEMBERS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. MATTERS CONCERNING THE PAROLE GRANT HEARING ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING THE INFORMATION BASE, RIGHT TO A HEARING, PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES, THE AUTOMATIC FIRST HEARING, PROMPT DECISION AND NOTIFICATION, WRITTEN DECISIONS, DUE PROCESS REQUIREMENTS, REPRESENTATION, AND A MODEL FOR THE PAROLE GRANT HEARING. REVOCATION HEARINGS ARE ALSO TREATED. THE VARIOUS FACETS OF THE ORGANIZATION OF FIELD SERVICES FOR JUVENILE AND ADULT PAROLEES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR PAROLEES ARE GIVEN MAJOR ATTENTION IN THIS PRESENTATION, AS ARE MEASURES OF CONTROL, MANPOWER, AND STATISTICAL ASSISTANCE. (RCB)