Final answer:
The Supreme Court does not consider parole a constitutional right for all prisoners but leaves parole decisions primarily to the discretion of individual states, balancing individual rights and government needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the Supreme Court's opinion on parole granting. The correct statement is that parole decisions are principally at the discretion of the individual states. The Supreme Court has not declared parole to be a constitutional right for all prisoners; instead, they provide a legal framework within which states can make their own determinations regarding parole. The Court has consistently sought to balance individual rights with the government's need to govern effectively and provide for the common good. Furthermore, the principle of stare decisis, meaning 'stand by the decision,' allows the Supreme Court to build on its own precedents and provide guidelines, but it does not typically dictate the specifics of parole granting to states.
Parole is a form of release that requires oversight and adherence to certain conditions, and it highlights the continuous role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the Constitution as it relates to criminal justice and the rights of the accused.