split sentence under which the probationer is imprisoned for a period up to six-month and then is released 
on probation. 
Link to alternative sentencing for federal system 
https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/research-and-publications/research-projects-and-surveys/
alternatives/20150617_Alternatives.pdf 
Parole and Post-Prison Supervision 
Because most states now use determinate sentencing, the use of parole is dwindling and is being replaced 
by post-prison supervision of offenders after their incarceration. However, for offenders sentenced in the 
1970s and 1980s under indeterminate sentencing schemes, parole continues to be very real hope, even if an 
unlikely possibility. 
Charles Manson Exercise 
Consider the case of notorious California killer Charles Manson who died in state custody in November 2017 at 
the age of 83. Manson was found guilty in 1969 of the murder of five people. He was sentenced to death, but his 
sentence was converted in 1977 to “life with the possibility of parole” after the California Supreme Court invalidated 
its state death penalty statute. Manson applied for parole for the twentieth time in 2012, he was 78 years old at 
the time. Under a change in parole release law, the next time Manson would have been eligible for parole was in 
2027. The board noted that if he were to complete programs designed to help deal with some of his issues, then 
he could petition for release sooner. Listen to the hearing at http://abcnews.go.com/US/charles-manson-denied-
parole-dangerous-man/story?id=16111128. 
“[T]he states which have adopted determinate sentencing structures have either eliminated or drastically 
restricted parole. In states with indeterminate sentencing, however, parole remains an essential element of 
the sentencing structure. Parole involves the release of the prisoner subject to conditions similar to those 
imposed on the probationer. Parole may be granted by the responsible state agency (usually called a parole 
board) after the prisoner has served his minimum sentence. The parole board usually has several members, 
who are either interested citizens appointed by the governor or corrections department personnel selected 
by the head of that department. Frequently the board will be assisted by special hearing officers who hold 
hearings and make recommendations to the board. Most parole boards automatically schedule hearings for 
every inmate as soon as he becomes eligible for parole. If he is not released at that point, subsequent hearings 
will be scheduled at regular intervals.” 
3 
The procedures of parole hearings vary from state to state. Indeed, not all states regularly hold hearings. A 
few prefer simply to review the files in the case, permitting the prisoner to submit a statement on his own 
behalf. Ordinarily, hearings are rather informal affairs held before a hearing officer or one or more board 
3. O'Leary, V., & Hanrahan, K. (1977). Law and practice in parole proceedings: A national survey. Crim. L. Bull., 13, 181-197.. 
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