PAROLE - The release of an inmate from prison or jail by the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Austin, Texas prior to expiration of sentence on condition of future good behavior and remaining under the supervision of a Parole Officer.  The rehabilitative program is designed for successful reintegration into society.

PSI (PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATION) - A social diagnostic report including circumstances of offense, arrest record, reputation and other background information about the defendant.  The report includes a probation plan and is utilized by the Judge to help make proper sentencing determination.

MISDEMEANOR - A minor offense such as shoplifting, gambling, illegal possession of alcohol by minor, etc., for which the penalty is usually imprisonment in excess of one year.

OFFENDER-SUBJECT-CLIENT - All are terms used interchangeably with probationer.

RECIDIVIST - A person who habitually or chronically relapses into criminal or anti-social behavior.

DEFENDANT - A person formally accused of a crime (Criminal connotation)