The parole system aims to promote smooth social reintegration of those inmates sentenced to imprisonment with or without labor who evinces"genuine repentance"and are expected to rehabilitate themselves successfully by releasing them before their sentence completion and putting them on parole supervision for the rest of their imprisonment term.
  Parole may be granted to an inmate sentenced to imprisonment with or without labor,after serving the statutory term,i.e.1/3rd of the limited term of the sentence or10years of a life sentence(see Part4,Chapter4,Section1 for special provisions under the Juvenile Law).With respect to"genuine repentance,"the following four items are judged comprehensively:(1)whether he/she shows signs of remorse for his/her offense,(2)whether he/she shows a willingness to reform him/herself,(3)whether he/she shows no likelihood of repeating offenses,and(4)whether the sentiment of the society will approve him/her being granted parole.Parole is finally granted when it is deemed to be reasonable,based on those judgments,to put the inmate on parole supervision for his/her reform and rehabilitation.
  Those under parole supervision are obliged to observe certain conditions during the period of parole.

  Upon receiving an application for parole of an inmate from a warden of a penal institution,a Regional Parole Board starts the process of parole examination and appoints a chief examiner.In principle,the chief examiner interviews the inmate in question and examines issues such as(1)whether granting parole is appropriate,(2)the timing of parole,and(3)special conditions to be observed during the parole period.Based on the results of the examination,the Regional Board makes a decision on whether parole is to be granted,through deliberation.