1. The objects are different. Parole is applicable to criminals who have been sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment, life imprisonment and have executed a certain punishment; Commutation of sentence is applicable to criminals who are sentenced to public surveillance, criminal detention, fixed-term imprisonment, life imprisonment and have truly repented or performed meritorious service during the execution of the sentence.
2. Different times. Parole can only be applied once, with a probation period and conditions that must be observed; Commutation can be used many times according to the actual situation.
3. The content is different. Parole is to release criminals ahead of time and test them during the probation period; The commutation of sentence is to appropriately reduce the sentence of criminals, who are still executing the corresponding sentence in prison.
4. The influence of new crime and omission crime is different. If it is found during the probation period for parole that a criminal has committed a new crime or omitted to commit a crime, the parole shall be revoked and a combined punishment for several crimes shall be imposed in accordance with the principle set forth in Article 69 of the Criminal Law; Any new crime or omission of crime after commutation shall not affect the already made commutation ruling.
[Legal Basis]
Article 78 of the Criminal Law states that a criminal sentenced to public surveillance, criminal detention, fixed-term imprisonment or life imprisonment may have his sentence commuted if, during the period of execution, he conscientiously observes prison regulations, accepts education and reform, and shows true repentance or performs meritorious service; A person who has performed one of the following major meritorious services shall have his sentence commuted:
（1） Stopping others from committing major criminal activities;
（2） Reporting major criminal activities inside and outside the prison, which are verified through investigation;
（3） Having inventions, creations or major technological innovations;
（4） Sacrificing oneself to save others in daily production and life;
（5） Outstanding performance in resisting natural disasters or eliminating major accidents;
（6） Having made other significant contributions to the country and society.
