Parole (şartlı tahliye) does not end a sentence — it continues the sentence outside the prison walls, under supervision. For prisoners who meet the legal requirements and demonstrate good conduct, it offers a structured path back into the community before the full term expires. Understanding how the system works, and what it demands of those released, is important both for prisoners and their families.
Parole vs Supervised Release: Two Different Institutions
Parole (şartlı tahliye) is frequently confused with supervised release (denetimli serbestlik). They are distinct:
Supervised release (denetimli serbestlik) applies in the final period of the sentence — typically the last year — and allows the prisoner to serve this portion outside prison under electronic monitoring or regular reporting, but as part of the sentence itself.
Parole (şartlı tahliye) releases the prisoner after a minimum proportion of the sentence has been served, subject to supervision for the remainder of the sentence term. The sentence continues; the prisoner simply serves it outside.
Minimum Service Requirements
The proportion of the sentence that must be served before parole is eligible depends on the offence category:
| Offence Category | Minimum Served |
|---|---|
| Intentional offences (general rule) | Two-thirds (2/3) |
| First-time offenders, certain negligent offences | One-half (1/2) in some cases |
| Aggravated life imprisonment | 30 years |
| Life imprisonment | 24 years |
| Terrorism, organised crime, sexual offences against children | Higher thresholds or excluded |
For offences in the highest-risk categories, parole eligibility may be substantially delayed or unavailable.
The Good Conduct Requirement
Reaching the minimum service period is necessary but not sufficient. The prison administration conducts a conduct assessment evaluating the prisoner’s behaviour throughout the sentence: compliance with prison rules, participation in education and rehabilitation programmes, incidents of violence or disciplinary proceedings. A negative conduct assessment can result in parole being refused even where the time requirement is met.
The Decision-Making Process
The decision is made by the execution judge (infaz hakimi), not by the prison administration. The prison submits a report to the execution judge, who reviews it together with any submissions from the prisoner’s lawyer. The judge’s decision can be challenged before the execution court (infaz mahkemesi) within seven days.
Supervision Obligations
Once released on parole, the former prisoner is subject to a supervision period equal to the remainder of the sentence. Typical obligations include:
- Regular reporting to the probation office (denetimli serbestlik müdürlüğü)
- Immediate notification of any change of address
- Prohibition on travel abroad without permission
- Participation in education, vocational training, or treatment programmes as directed
- Abstention from new intentional offences
Revocation
Parole can be revoked in two situations:
-
Committing a new intentional offence during the supervision period: the prisoner is returned to complete the remaining term of the original sentence plus begins serving any new sentence.
-
Repeated or serious violation of supervision obligations: persistent failure to report, unauthorised travel, or other wilful breaches.
Revocation means returning to prison for the unexpired portion of the original sentence. There is no automatic second chance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is parole an amnesty? No. Parole does not forgive the sentence or erase the conviction. The prisoner continues to serve the sentence — outside prison, under supervision. If parole is revoked, the remaining term is served inside prison.
Who decides on parole — the court that convicted me or a different body? The execution judge (infaz hakimi), a separate specialist judge, handles parole and other sentence execution matters. The original trial court is not involved. If the execution judge refuses parole, the prisoner’s lawyer can appeal to the execution court.
My family member has served two-thirds of their sentence but parole was refused. What can we do? The refusal can be challenged before the execution court within seven days. Common grounds for challenge include a flawed or factually incorrect conduct assessment, procedural irregularities in the prison report, or failure to consider mitigating circumstances. A lawyer who specialises in criminal execution matters is best placed to assess whether the grounds for challenge are strong.
Can the supervision period be shortened? The supervision period corresponds to the unexpired portion of the sentence and cannot be shortened administratively. However, obligations within it can sometimes be modified — for example, reducing the reporting frequency — where circumstances justify it.