Parole is the supervision of someone who has been released from prison before completing their full sentence. For example, if your loved one was sentenced to five years but was released after two years, he or she will most likely be supervised by a parole officer for the remaining three years.

While on parole, certain situations can trigger a parole violation. Examples of these violations include:

Failure to Report to the Parole Office: Your loved one must report to the parole office as often as required. These meetings might include a random drug test and questions about employment, housing, financial progress, or whether there has been any contact with law enforcement. Failure to report to the parole office as instructed, or not giving truthful answers to questions could result in parole violations.

Positive Drug Screens: Testing positive for non-prescription drugs or neglecting to have a prescription on file while consuming prescription drugs can mean parole violations. Some states send the failed test to a lab for a follow-up confirmation before arresting the parolee. Other states make the arrest and the parolee waits in jail until the lab results come back. Even if there is a prescription on file, your loved one can be called in for a "pill count" to insure that medication is being taken as prescribed and is not over-used or sold. Failing the pill count is like failing a drug test.

Failure to Report Status Changes: Your loved one is probably required to report any changes to their address, school attendance or employment. In addition, changes to the household, such as additional people moving in, should also be reported. The parole officer will dictate to the parolee how long he or she has to report such changes. In some cases, such as changing jobs or addresses, the change must be reported before it occurs. 

New Criminal Charges: In some states, getting arrested can trigger a violation. In others, it takes a conviction before it is considered a parole violation. 

Breaking Additional Conditions: The parole officer can instituted additional restrictions such as: not drinking any alcohol, not having contact with certain people, or having a curfew. If your loved one breaks any of the additional conditions, a parole violation may follow.