Among 45 U.S. respondents, 40 (89 percent) reported the existence of work release programs in their jurisdictions. Fewer respondents (21 or 47 percent) have educational release available to inmates. Respondents reported approximately 20,000 program participants, compared to the 21,000 reported for the 1993 survey. This represents approximately 1.8 percent of all State and Federal inmates. Eligibility requirements for work release in most jurisdictions are apparently both stringent and complex. Eligibility requirements for educational release generally mirror those for work release. Fees for such expenses as room and board, child support, and victim restitution are routinely deducted from inmate paychecks in approximately two-thirds of jurisdictions. As with any public venture, release programs have been critiqued from both within and without. Respondents were asked whether their program had recently received negative attention from outside groups and to provide their own assessment of the program's advantages and disadvantages. Nearly all respondents described various benefits from work release programs, including the opportunity for inmates to make a gradual transition into society, to gain work skills and a work ethic, and to secure employment in the community. Disadvantages associated with work release programs were also reported, although by fewer respondents; these include increase risk of escape, opportunity to bring contraband back into the prison, and failed drug tests. Among 10 Canadian respondents, all but one reported having both work and educational release programs. A chart provides the following information for each responding State and Canadian Province: having work release and educational release, program location, costs paid by work-release inmates, and earnings retained by inmates. Another chart presents State-by-State information on number in the program, required time served, eligibility factors, job search assistance, transportation, and who is not eligible for release.