Furlough

Eligibility

In the United States, furloughs are not very common and inmates are carefully screened for risk to the community before permission for a furlough is given. In many other countries, furloughs are more readily and routinely offered. In the United States, usually only minimum-security inmates who are in the last year of their sentence, meet the institution's eligibility criteria, and are approved by the warden are eligible for a leave of absence.

Since research has shown that inmates who maintain ties with their families generally have lower rates of recidivism, activities that may facilitate release transition and strengthen family ties may be deemed appropriate for the granting of a furlough. Some work skill programs may also be considered appropriate for the granting of a furlough. In addition, prisoners may be granted furloughs to participate in classes or treatment that are not available at their institution, such as a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, or to obtain medical services not available at the prison.

Furloughs are considered a privilege. They are, therefore, not routinely given to an entire category of inmates but are instead awarded only to those individuals with a record of behavior making them worthy of the privilege. Women and prisoners in remote areas may be at a disadvantage if vocational or other services are not provided in the communities near the prison since travel time and the difficulty of making arrangements may be too great for the limited time allocated to furloughs. In any case, the warden or disciplinary committee of the institution may decide to revoke or withhold furlough privileges of any inmate.

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