The trend towards increasing the possibilities for prison leaves as been encouraged by the humanization of sentences, by the initiation of prisoners' participation in determining their fate, and by the increased recognition that successful social reintegration depends on the maintenance of family and outside ties. In most member nations of the European community, release for visits to ill members of the family or to assist in funerals are allowed; in Norway release in even allowed for all serious family events, including marriages, anniversaries, and baptisms. Release is allowed for visits to local public institutions for social and health services in Sweden. Preparation for permanent release from prison often involves temporary release to revive and solidify family ties, especially in the case of home leaves in England. Generally countries grant releases to those in whom they have the most confidence, particularly those detained in semi-open rather than maximum security institutions. Decisions for release also depend on the amount of sentence time an offender has completed. Usually, the court that presides over the execution of sentences grants permissions for release. Where no such court exists, the decisions are usually administrated from the institution in which the offender is detained or from a Prison Leave Board. Each country has certain specifications regarding how soon after imprisonment an offender can enjoy release privileges, how long those released can last, how often they can be granted, and which kinds of offenders must wait longer before they can enjoy such privileges. While these release options are opening up more freedom and humaneness to offenders in Europe, the difference between life outside and inside prisons widens as the liberties enjoyed by European societies continue to exppand. Meanwhile statistics illustrating the success of these release options in improving prisoners' lives must be further developed. Five footnotes are provided. --in French.