The analysis used arrest data for a sample of offenders who had all served sentences of longer than 1 year. The analysis covered a 3-year followup period. Results revealed that inmates receiving social furloughs had significantly lower recidivism rates than inmates who had not been furloughed. Even when the effects of other variables such as recidivism risk on the Salient Factor Score, age, race, time served, gender, and type of offense were considered, the furloughed group experienced greater post-release success. The recidivism rate was 32.6 percent for those granted social furloughs and 52.9 percent for those who had no furlough. Possible explanations for the differences include the furloughed offenders' ability to maintain family and community ties, the soundness of the decisions regarding which offenders to furlough, or, most likely, a combination of these two explanations. Figures, table, and footnotes