Temporary release, first introduced in the 1840s, also known under terms like "release on temporary license" and "furlough," provides for short periods of authorized absence from the prison or correctional institution, usually granted when nearing the end of the custodial sentence or release on parole. The eligibility criteria usually vary with offense type and sentence duration. This article begins by touching on how the public and criminal justice workers view temporary release, and then offers a comprehensive review of the "what works" literature, focusing on a range of short- and long-term outcomes. The findings within the literature suggest that while in the community, prisoners tend to spend their time constructively and to comply with the rules and regulations of temporary release. It is suggested that both home leave and work release schemes can truly serve their originally intended rehabilitative purpose. Notes and references