My understanding is that, because the convict could choose to finish his or her sentence instead, parole is given extremely wide latitude in terms of the condit

My understanding is that, because the convict could choose to finish his or her sentence instead, parole is given extremely wide latitude in terms of the conditions that can be set. That does set up other, stupid, situations where convicts who haven't been paroled and hence served their full sentences are given zero supervision after release because you can't force them. If you wish to be appalled, read this [1] discussing parole boards. For the same rationale as above, they are given incredibly wide latitude with very little review, and often no disclosure, behind their decisions. [1] https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/07/10/life-without-parole https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/07/10/life-without-p...