NCJ Number
132732
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: (September-October 1988) Pages: 11-20
Editor(s)
M Marlette
Date Published
1988
Length
10 pages
Annotation
According to a 1987 survey, prisoners serving life sentences in three-quarters of U.S. correctional systems may be eligible for furloughs. Like furloughs for other prisoners, furloughs for lifers appear to be successful in most cases.
Abstract
These furlough or temporary leave programs involved over 200,000 furloughs for 53,000 inmates in 1987; all but three had success rates exceeding 90 percent. Hawaii and Oregon reported the lowest success rates of 60 and 65 percent respectively. Several Canadian provinces also operate furlough programs for lifers; they reported success rates ranging between 73 and 95 percent. Eligibility for lifers requesting furloughs are similar to those for other inmates: minimum security or community custody classification; amount of time served; proximity of parole or release date; type of crime committed; and institutional record. Victims, local law enforcement, and community representatives participated in the process of granting furlough in several States. A state-by-state analysis of furloughs for lifers is included. 1 figure and 2 tables