Things actually changed in 2018 with some implementation details of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Step_Act. Parole is not given, true; but you can earn a bunch of credit days for participating in non-recidivism activities, which - when combined with good behavior - can amount to leaving prison 30-40% early. Not sure about the details after (house arrest or halfway-house may be somewhere in that mix), but not as grim at that point.