Vol.19 No.20 - FURLOUGHS - Popular For Lifers Nationwide, Survey Finds

Sep 29, 2026

Vol.19 No.20 of Corrections Compendium reports survey findings on furloughs for life-sentenced prisoners across the United States. The publication summarizes system coverage, eligibility rates, grant volumes in 1987, and high success rates, alongside notes on program purposes such as maintaining family ties, work preparation, reintegration, and emergency releases. It also covers public debate during the 1988 presidential campaign, including Massachusetts, Arizona, and Federal Bureau of Prisons eligibility criteria and policy changes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

CORRECTIONS DIGEST

FURLOUGHS: Popular For Lifers Nationwide, Survey Finds

FURLOUGHS: House Members Upset

AIDS: House Passes Bill Setting Federal Policy

JAILER TRAINING: Workshop Planned

NOW YOU KNOW: The Bridge of Sighs

N.Y. JAILS: Inmate Suicides Decline

LOMPOC: Improving Media Relations

Vol.19 No.20 ## MAJORITY OF STATES GRANTFURLOUGHS TO LIFERS,NATIONAL SURVEY FINDS Success Rate Is High The use of furloughs for prisoners in theUnited States is widespread,successful and rela-tively problem free,according to informationgathered for Corrections Compendium in a surveytaken between May and September.In more thantwo-thirds of the systems,lifers are eligible forfurloughs. The survey found that: ● All states,the Federal Bureau of Prisons,and the District of Columbia have someform of furlough or temporary release pro-gram for prisoners. ● An estimated 200,000 furloughs weregranted in 1987,with more than 53,000inmates involved. ● Success rates were high,with nearly halfthe systems reporting 98 percent of thefurloughs successful and six of those一Mississippi,Nevada,North Dakota,SouthDakota,Wisconsin and Washington一having 100 percent success.All but threestates had success rates over 90 percent. ● For most states,the programs wererelatively problem free.Only one statereported any serious difficulties. ● Virtually every system consideredfurloughs helpful in preparing inmates forrelease and improving institutional morale. October 5,1988 IN THIS ISSUE FURLOUGHS:Popular For Lifers Nationwide,Survey Finds … …1AIDS:House Passes Bill Setting Federal Policy……… …3MAINE:Was The Officer At Fault?… ……4PHILADELPHIA:Jail Distributing Condoms… …4VIRGINIA:Weathers A Disturbance…… ……4IDAHO:Inmates Slay Informant… …5ACA:Moving Its Headquarters… …… …5MINNESOTA:Chooses Awards Recipients…… …5FBOP:Congress Approves Budget… …… …6UNICOR:Aid Bill Fails In House……………6JAILER TRAINING:Workshop Planned ………6AIDS:NSA Developing Model Policies…… …7FURLOUGHS:House Members Upset…… ……8LOMPOC:Improving Media Relations… …8Measure Has Corrections Components… …8JOB LISTINGS… … …9NOW YOU KNOW:The Bridge of Sighs …9INDIGENTS:Defense Costs $1 Billion… …9 N.Y.JAILS:Inmate Suicides Decline… 10ALAMEDA COUNTY:Robots To Serve Meals……10 WE'VE MOVED! Washington Crime News Services has moved its officesto:3918 Prosperity Ave.,Suite 318,Fairfax,VA22031-3334.Our new phone number is:703-573-1600.Thischange is effective Oct.1. ## CORRECTIONS DIGEST For lifers,the survey found: ● Thirty-six states,the Federal Bureau ofPrisons,and the District of Columbiaallow furloughs for lifers. ● In 1987,at least two states allowed pris-oners sentenced to life without parole tobecome eligible for furlough. ● Of the lifers on furlough,none were reported revoked. Furloughs for lifers are receiving considerablemedia coverage this year because of attention tothe subject in the presidential race between VicePresident George Bush and Massachusetts Gover-nor Michael Dukakis. In campaign speeches,Republican candidateBush has charged that“until March of this yearMassachusetts had the most liberal weekendrelease program in the nation,the only state pro-gram permitting inmates sentenced to life withoutparole to take unsupervised leave from prisongrounds.” Democratic candidate Dukakis countered bypointing out that the furlough program was startedin 1972 under a Republican governor and thatother states and the Federal Government alsofurlough lifers.Dukakis called Bush's charge thatMassachusetts'policy was more liberal“a distinc-tion without a difference." Under an amendment signed in April,Massachusetts no longer allows furloughs forprisoners convicted of first degree murder andserving life without parole. Arizona has also stopped furloughs for lifers—who were eligible until 1987—and the Depart-ment of Corrections is currently revising itsfurlough policy.Maine does not grant furloughs toanyone sentenced to life after 1976. The Federal Bureau of Prisons reports apply-ing the same eligibility criteria to all inmates and"lifers can be furloughed theoretically,although inpractice it probably doesn't happen.”Six statesalso

FAQs

How widespread are furloughs for lifers in U.S. prison systems, according to the survey?

The survey states that all states, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the District of Columbia have some form of furlough or temporary release program for prisoners, and over two-thirds of systems allow lifers to be eligible.

What success rates did the survey report for furloughs?

Success rates were described as high, with nearly half of the systems reporting 98% of furloughs successful and six states reporting 100% success. Most remaining states reported rates over 90%.

What reasons and safeguards are described for furloughs for lifers?

Furloughs are reported as helping inmates prepare for release, maintain family ties, seek work and housing, and support reintegration. Eligibility depends on factors like security classification and time served, and some programs involve sponsors and provisions for emergency furloughs; revocations are noted for escapes and rule violations.

Sep 29, 2026

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