Discretionary parole is the parole that is determined by the paroling authority such as the common parole board or the commissions after a case reviewing with the determination that the inmate can rejoin the community (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). On the other hand, a mandatory parole is set by law and requires the state to grant parole when an inmate serves a set period. The main argument for discretionary release is that it provides the prisoners with an incentive to change their ways for the better due to the promise of a reward if they comply. On the other hand, the mandatory parole is argued to be better because it cannot be “gamed” where a prisoner simply acts as if they have changed their ways just to be granted the discretionary parole.
