ticket of leave

law

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

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A "ticket of leave" was a permit formerly issued in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations. This license allowed a convict who was imprisoned to be released to go at large and find work, but only under specific conditions. This practice is an early form of what is now known as parole, which is the supervised, conditional release from prison before a sentence is fully served. The concept of releasing prisoners early dates back to at least the 18th century, with England developing the "ticket of leave" system as part of its penal transportation practices.12

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parole
… developed a system of “ticket of leave,” in which convicts detained under a sentence of transportation were allowed a measure of freedom or the right to return to England in return for good behaviour. England abolished the sentence of transportation in the mid-19th century (French penal colonies continued to…
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… developed a system of “ticket of leave,” in which convicts detained under a sentence of transportation were allowed a measure of freedom or the right to return to England in return for good behaviour. England abolished the sentence of transportation in the mid-19th century (French penal colonies continued to…
Read More