White paper on crime 2012 Part2/Chapter1/4
Offenders granted suspension of execution of the sentence with probation (probationers) are placed under probation for the period of their suspended execution. Regional Parole Boards can in some cases decide to release an inmate on parole before completion of their term of imprisonment. Inmates released on parole (parolees) are placed under parole supervision for their period of their parole. Offenders placed under probation/parole supervision receive instruction, supervision, guidance, and assistance from probation officers at probation offices and volunteer probation officers (private volunteers).
With the aim of enhancing the functionality of rehabilitation, the Offenders Rehabilitation Act (Act No. 88 of 2007) was established in a consolidation and integration of the content of the Offenders Prevention and Rehabilitation Act (Act No. 142 of 1949) and the Act on Probationary Supervision of Persons under Suspension of Execution of Sentence (Act No. 58 of 1954), and came into effect on June 1, 2008.