Felons who have been incarcerated for at least the minimum portion of their sentences can be placed on parole by vote of the Parole Board. With some exceptions, a typical offender is supervised on parole for a period of two years. While on parole, offenders are managed by parole officers/agents employed by the department.

Following the decision to parole, but before being released from prison, the department conducts a pre-parole investigation to ensure that the offender's community release plan is sound, will assist in the parolee's success, and does not endanger public safety. The investigation includes approval of an offender's home placement, employment, education and treatment. Release is coordinated by the department's Parole Release Unit.

Pending an offender's release to parole, the department provides notification to victims and the prosecutor's office, the sheriff's department and State Police post in the sentencing county.

Like probationers, parolees must meet certain conditions to maintain their parole status. Conditions include restrictions on movements and require the parolee to have contact with their parole agent regularly, seek and maintain employment, attend treatment as needed.  Parolees are likewise prohibited from engaging in criminal behavior, associating with known criminals and possessing weapons.

Other special requirements are recommended by the parole agent and are determined by the Parole Board based on the offender's background and crime.

As with probation supervision, the goal of parole is to assist the offender become law-abiding and a productive member of the community.  Parolee success is the best way to ensure public protection.  The parole agent relies on community partners in this effort, including the parolee's family and significant others, employers, treatment providers, faith-based mentors and counselors.  Parole supervision has been significantly impacted by the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative and staff now work more closely with community partners to engage the offender and motivate them to change.  Failure to follow the requirements of parole results in a response from the supervising parole agent. Violation responses may include counseling, treatment, more restrictive parole supervision, community service, placement in a structured program or return to prison. Decisions on responses are made based on the behavior of the parolee, the risk presented and the likelihood that risk can be reduced in the community.  Many violations are for behavior that is not criminal, such as not reporting on time or missing a treatment session.  This type of behavior can be managed in the community with the right intervention.