NCJ Number
59443
Date Published
1978
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WHICH HAVE BEEN USED TO SUCCESSFULLY ADMINISTER THE BUCKS COUNTY, PA., FURLOUGH PROGRAM FOR SENTENCED OFFENDERS ARE DESCRIBED, ALONG WITH THE USE OF FURLOUGHS AS A CORRECTIONAL TECHNIQUE.
Abstract
BUCKS COUNTY, A SUBURBAN UNIT ADJACENT TO THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, HAS TWO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, THE MAXIMUM SECURITY BUCKS COUNTY PRISON AND THE MINIMUM SECURITY, COMMUNITY-BASED BUCKS COUNTY REHABILITATION CENTER. THE CENTER OFFERS BOTH TREATMENT AND WORK-RELEASE PROGRAMS TO ABOUT 200-220 INMATES AT ANY ONE TIME. THE FURLOUGH PROGRAM BEGAN IN 1973 AND WAS CODIFIED IN PENNSYLVANIA'S CRIMINAL STATUTES IN 1974. THE BUCKS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AUTHORIZES TEMPORARY HOME FURLOUGHS FOR 48 HOURS OR LESS IN CASES OF SERIOUS ILLNESS OR DEATH, PRERELEASE FURLOUGHS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ARRANGING HOUSING OR EMPLOYMENT IN CONNECTION WITH A PAROLE PLAN, INCENTIVE FURLOUGHS WHICH ARE A REWARD TO THOSE WHO HAVE MAINTAINED A GOOD RECORD IN THE WORK RELEASE PROGRAM, AND SPECIAL HOLIDAY FURLOUGHS. IN EACH TYPE OF FURLOUGH, THE OFFENDER LEAVES THE FACILITY WITHOUT SUPERVISION AND REMAINS WITHOUT SUPERVISION. ALL FURLOUGHS MUST BE APPROVED IN WRITING BY THE SENTENCING JUDGE. FROM JANUARY 1, 1974 THROUGH APRIL 30, 1978, A TOTAL OF 1,857 FURLOUGHS WERE GRANTED TO 558 RESIDENTS, WITH ONLY 5 RESIDENTS NOT RETURNING. IN ADDITION, NO CRIMES COMMITTED BY PERSONS ON FURLOUGH WERE REPORTED. THE SCREENING PROCEDURES, GUIDELINES, AND ACTUAL FURLOUGH PROCESS ARE DESCRIBED. THE PROGRAM IS LIMITED TO MINIMUM SECURITY PRISONERS WHO ARE EITHER PRESENTLY ENROLLED IN OR SOON WILL BE ENROLLED IN A WORK RELEASE PROGRAM. FURLOUGHS ARE CONSIDERED AN EXTENSION OF THE TOTAL TREATMENT PLAN IN THAT THE PROGRAM HELPS TO MAINTAIN FAMILY TIES AND EASE ADJUSTMENT TO SOCIETY. SAMPLE FURLOUGH DOCUMENTS ARE APPENDED. (GLR)