word choice - What would you call a former criminal who has been released from prison?

What do you call a former criminal who has served their sentence and been released from prison?

I thought of “convicted criminal”, but that might imply the person is still a criminal and/or serving a sentence.

• Does “convicted criminal” fit this definition?


• Are there other--better--words that are more accurate?

Answer

There are numerous terms used in the US, including

• ex-convict


• ex-con


• former convict


• ex-felon


• parolee


• probationer

Several of these convey particular criteria (such as probationer).