Parole

Parole (Fr., 'word') is the declaration made on honour by an officer, in a case in which there is no more than his sense of honour to restrain him from breaking his word. Thus, a prisoner of war may be released from actual prison on his parole that he will not go beyond certain designated limits; or he may even be allowed to return to his own country on his parole not to fight again, during the existing war, against his captors. To break parole is accounted infamous in all civilised nations, and an officer who has so far forgotten his position as a gentleman ceases to have any claim to the treatment of an honourable man, nor can he expect quarter should he again fall into the hands of the enemy he has deceived. For parole evidence, see EVIDENCE.