3 Things to Know About Furloughs for Inmates
If you have a loved one who is currently serving time in jail or prison for a crime, there is a chance he or she might be able to get some time away from the jail to spend with family. This is referred to as a furlough. For this to occur, the court must approve it, and there are rules that must be followed. Here are several things you should understand about furloughs.
What Is a Furlough?
In criminal justice, a furlough refers to a break from jail. This break can be as short as a few hours, or it might be for multiple days. The length really depends on what the court approves, and this is often based on several factors, which include the following:
- The reason for the furlough
- The severity of the crime the person in jail committed
- The flight risk of the inmate
- The city, state, or municipality's rules
If the court grants a furlough, they will state how long it will last and will give instructions about it. The instructions may include where the inmate has to stay and whether he or she must report to the jail during the time away. Reporting to the jail might require a phone call, or it might require actually checking in at the jail. In addition, the inmate may be instructed not to drink alcoholic beverages during this time or commit any acts that are illegal. The court may also require that the inmate stay within a certain radius of the jail and that he or she may not leave the state.
For What Reasons Do Courts Grant Furloughs?
An inmate has the right to request a furlough for any reason he or she may have; however, the courts might be more apt to approve the requests if they are for the following reasons:
- There is going to be a funeral for a close relative or friend
- A family member is very sick
- A close relative is leaving for the military
- The inmate needs to seek medical help
There are also times when courts will approve work furloughs. These are designed to let an inmate out of jail to go to work. Normally, when a court allows a person to do this, the person is placed in a work-release program, and the facility the person stays at is not usually an actual jail.
How Do You Get a Furlough?
The first thing to realize is that a furlough is not a right of an inmate; it is more like a privilege. For your loved one to get approved for this, he or she must be in good standing at the jail. In other words, your loved one must have good behavior.
Next, you will need to contact a criminal-law attorney for help. The attorney will know the process that is used for furlough requests and will help you complete it. Normally this process works by motioning the court for a hearing that is for the furlough request. The attorney and the inmate must show up to this court hearing, and they must ask the judge for the furlough.
The judge is likely to ask a lot of questions relating to the purpose of the furlough, and the judge will look at the inmate's criminal history. From this information, the court will decide on the matter. If the court approves the furlough, the judge will state when it will be and the length of time it will last. The judge will also give the instructions to the inmate that must be followed.
If you are interested in helping your relative get out of jail for a few days, contact a criminal-law attorney to find out how you can request a furlough for him or her.