Parole is the discretionary decision of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to release a certain offender from confinement after he or she has served an appropriate portion of a prison sentence. Parole allows for an offender to serve a portion of the term of imprisonment under supervision, in the community, rather than in prison. Persons on parole remain under state supervision and control according to conditions which, if violated, allow for re-imprisonment. The Board considers all available information before granting a tentative parole month or TPM in a case. There is no set timeline for a decision to be made. Once the Board reaches a decision, the inmate will be notified and the inmate will be able to notify family. The parole consideration process includes investigations on the inmate that take time to complete.