假释是指犯人在他们的被判刑罚结束前，提前释放，但一般仍处于某种监督之下在监狱外服满刑期。

假释制度开始于19世纪中期的爱尔兰，当时监狱犯人可以通过参加一些监狱管教计划，争取得到提早释放的机会，允许表现好的监狱犯人在满足一定的条件下提早出狱，并在出狱后一段时间内继续受到监视。

A discharge is a type of sentence where no punishment is imposed. An absolute discharge is unconditional: the defendant is not punished, and the case is over. In some jurisdictions, an absolute discharge means there is no conviction despite finding that the defendant is guilty. A conditional discharge is a sentence passed by a court whereby the defendant is not punished, provided they comply with certain conditions. After these conditions are met, the discharge becomes absolute. If the conditions are not met, the defendant is re-sentenced.