Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 004 - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Rule 004.00.95-006 - Reg. 812 - Temporary Release/Meritorious Furloughs

Universal Citation: AR Admin Rules 004.00.95-006

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024

812 Temporary Release/Meritorious Furloughs

I. AUTHORITY:

The authority of the Board of Correction and Community Punishment to promulgate this Administrative Regulation is vested in Act 549 of 1993.

II. PURPOSE:

To provide a mechanism for the temporary release of inmates which serves as an incentive program and assists in attaining a more normal and orderly transition from the Department of Correction into the community.

III. APPLICABILITY:

Board of Correction and Community Punishment, Deputy/ Assistant Directors, Wardens/Center Supervisors, all employees involved in the approval/processing of furloughs; and inmates.

IV. DEFINITIONS:
A. Meritorious Furloucrh: The approved, temporary release of an inmate for a period not to exceed five calendar days.

B. Sponsor: Approved persons with whom the inmate resides while on meritorious furlough.

A sponsor shall be required to be already approved and listed on the inmate's visitation list at the time of furlough application.

V. POLICY:

It shall be the policy of the Department of Correction to grant meritorious furloughs pursuant to established requirements and conditions for approved inmates.

VI. PROCEDURES:
A. Requirements

A meritorious furlough may be granted for exemplary conduct on the part of an inmate.

1. All inmates who are serving a life sentence or a sentence of a term of years and who have achieved Class I-A or I-B, and who have continuously maintained that status for not less than one year may be eligible for meritorious furloughs if they meet all of the following requirements:
a. Have been an inmate in an institution of the Arkansas Department of Correction continuously for one year;

b. Have not been convicted of a major disciplinary violation for a period of not less than six months immediately prior to applying for such meritorious furlough;

c. Does not have any pending felony detainers;

d. The Sheriff and other appropriate law enforcement personnel of the county to which the inmate is furloughing approves;

e. An inmate serving a "life" sentence must have his or her application approved by the appropriate Deputy/Assistant Director, submitted through the Director prior to approval by the Board of Correction.

2. An inmate who has been sentenced to Death, or serving a sentence of Life Without Parole will not be eligible for meritorious furloughs under any conditions.

3. All inmates must be approved by the Unit Classification Committee consisting of an assistant warden, classification officer, a chief security officer and a member of the treatment staff. Approval must be unanimous. The Unit Classification Committee will base their decision on:
a. The inmate does not have, presently, an abnormal propensity for violence.

b. The inmate does not constitute a security risk. (This criteria is made by the Classification Committee at the time the inmate is approved for Class I-B and again when reviewed for a furlough.)

c. The inmate is capable of abiding by the terms and conditions of such a furlough.

d. The inmate will not be endangered by such a temporary release.

e. The inmate has not received a meritorious furlough during the preceding six months.

f. The inmate must be favorably recommended by his or her immediate work supervisor.

g. The inmate must have a sponsor willing to accept and transport the inmate.

h. Once the inmate initially becomes eligible for a meritorious furlough, the sheriff and prosecuting attorney from the sentencing county shall be notified and their comments solicited.

i. The sheriff and chief of police in the county and city where the inmate wishes to furlough must approve prior to the inmate's release on furlough.

j. In the case of an inmate serving a life sentence, the victim or victim's family shall be notified of the impending meritorious furlough and the response will be available to the furlough committee as criteria on their making a final decision. This notification will allow the victim or the family the opportunity to comment.

k. A certificate of furlough must be signed by the warden/center supervisor, inmate and sponsor. The inmate and warden/center supervisor shall also sign an agreement to return.

l. Inmates serving a life sentence who are approved for a meritorious furlough shall be required to wear an electronic monitoring device.

B. Rules of Meritorious Furlough

Meritorious furloughs shall not begin nor end on a weekend or holiday.

Inmates released on a meritorious furlough shall adhere to a daily reporting schedule while on furlough.

Inmates released on a meritorious furlough must abide by the following rules.

1. Not leave the state of Arkansas for any purpose or under any circumstances;

2. Not leave the county to which he or she was furloughed except for travel to the county and return travel to the institution, without the written consent and approval of the warden/center supervisor or appropriate assistant director;

3. Not possess or consume alcoholic beverages of any kind or drugs not specifically prescribed for him or her;

4. Not visit any place of business where alcoholic beverages are the major items offered for sale;

5. Not violate any laws of this state, the county or municipality, or the United States;

6. Not operate a motor vehicle of any kind.

Specific conditions for the inmate to abide by shall be listed in the appropriate Administrative Directive.

C. General

Specific guidelines to include but not be limited to sponsorship, departure and arrival times, medical screening, and contacts shall be included in the appropriate Administrative Directive.

VII. A.C.A. REFERENCES:

Board Approval Date: 6/16/95

Reference: AD 95:06

Effective Date: 7/13/95

Supersedes: 812

Dated: 2/16/93

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Arkansas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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