Probation vs. Supervised Release in Federal Prison: Key Differences Explained. I explain the important distinction between probation and supervised release in the federal prison system. Probation is an alternative to a custodial prison sentence given to those who fall below a 13 on the guideline table, administered by a probation officer instead of serving time in prison. Supervised release, on the other hand, is the federal term that replaced parole and is imposed after an inmate completes thei

Early Termination of Supervised Release Explained