Parole is the temporary release of a prisoner prior to the completion of his or her sentence under certain conditions. Parole was abolished at the federal level with the "Comprehensive Crime Control Act" of 1984. 16 states decided to follow this practice and also abolished parole. However, the majority still leaves the issue of parole to a paroling authority within the state.
Parole is a common issue mentioned in political campaigns at the state level since releasing convicted criminals is a controversial issue. This is why candidates who normally adopt a position which is popular among residents of the state regarding parole can benefit from impact voters (an increase in voter turnout) during election day.
