THE REPORT IS DIVIDED INTO SIX MAJOR SECTIONS. THE FIRST PART IS A BRIEF ANALYSIS OF LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC CONCERNS WHICH ACKNOWLEDGES THE ON-GOING CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE MASSACHUESTTS FURLOUGH PROGRAM. THE SECOND SECTION IS AN ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC OPINION BASED ON THE RESULTS OF A STATEWIDE POLL IN MARCH, 1976. THE THIRD PART BRIEFLY REVIEWS STATISTICS ON MASSACHUSETTS' PROGRAM AND ANALYZES THE FIGURES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS. THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF COUNTY INSTITUTIONS AND THE OPERATION OF THE FURLOUGH PROGRAM AT THAT LEVEL ARE REPORTED IN SECTION FOUR. A SUMMARY OF A REVIEW OF STATE LEVEL INSTITUTIONAL FURLOUGH BOARD HEARINGS IS CONTAINED IN THE FIFTH SECTION. THE FINAL SECTION COMPARES OTHER STATE PROGRAMS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS EXPERIENCE.