In France and Germany, reduced sentencing and conditional release (probation) are two key aspects of criminal justice systems that focus on resocialization. However, the modalities of these two instruments differ widely in both countries: decision-making authorities, the terms and conditions for release, the remunerated activity outside prison, or semi-liberty. The degree of “jurisdictionalization,” understood as the right to institute appeal proceedings against decisions in this matter is also very different in France and Germany. It is with regard to these differences that the available statistics are examined, showing the very small use of these measures, even lower in France than Germany, despite the low rate of recidivism in detainees who benefit from these measures.