| Criteria | Furlough | Parole | Remission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Temporary leave from prison without a specific reason. | Conditional, temporary release for specific reasons like emergencies. | Reduction in sentence duration or intensity. |
| Purpose | Alleviate monotony, maintain family ties, societal reintegration | Address specific exigencies (medical, family emergencies) | Modify the severity of punishment |
| Legal Basis | Governed by prison-specific regulations of states | Prison Act, 1894 and 1900 | Articles 72 and 161 of the Constitution; Section 432 of CrPC |
| Discretion | Discretionary, can be denied for public safety, especially for serious crimes | Granted based on specific conditions and rules | Granted by the President, Governors, and State Governments |
| Eligibility | Not available for certain categories of prisoners | Subject to the nature of the crime and behavior in prison | Depends on the nature of the crime and behavior |
| Authority | State-specific prison authorities | State-specific prison authorities, under central laws | President, Governors, and State Government under CrPC |
Fill the below form to get free counselling for UPSC Civil Services exam preparation