"Parole" is the discretionary and conditional release of an eligible prisoner sentenced to the institutional division so that the prisoner may serve the remainder of the prisoner’s sentence under the supervision of the pardons and paroles division. See Tex. Gov’t. Code §508.001(6).

 "Mandatory supervision" is the release of an eligible prisoner sentenced to the institutional division so that the prisoner may serve the remainder of the prisoner’s sentence not on parole but under the supervision of the pardons and paroles division. See Tex. Gov’t. Code §508.001(5).  Prisoners often refer to their mandatory supervision release date as a "shortway" date.