Code of Massachusetts Regulations
103 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
Title 103 CMR 463.00 - Furloughs
Section 463.09 - Furlough Sponsor

(1) Each inmate participating in the furlough program shall have a furlough sponsor. The furlough sponsor must be 18 years of age or older and be approved to act as a sponsor by the institution furlough committee and institution Superintendent. In addition, the furlough sponsor shall not be an employee of the Department of Correction or currently on parole.

(2) Furlough sponsors shall be required to remain with the inmate at all times for the duration of the furlough. The sponsor shall also be required to provide reliable transportation for the inmate and remain with the inmate during such transportation. The sponsor shall also be required to provide the inmate with an address and a telephone number.

(3) A proposed sponsor must arrange an appointment with the institution furlough investigator for the purpose of conducting a sponsor interview. During the interview the proposed sponsor shall receive an orientation of rules and regulations of the furlough program and the legal responsibilities of a sponsor. Each proposed sponsor shall also complete the following:

(4) The chief of police in the city/town where the proposed sponsor resides shall be interviewed by an institution furlough investigator.

(5) The proposed sponsor of an inmate serving a sentence of murder in the second degree, manslaughter, a sex offense, an inmate with a violent history, an inmate the subject of a CORI A petition or an inmate with an escape history must be investigated to determine the proposed sponsor's appropriateness to act as a sponsor. Said investigation shall be conducted by an institution investigator approved by the Department's chief of investigations, and include , but not be limited to, a site investigation of the residence of the proposed sponsor, and if applicable an interview with CORI A petitioner(s). The Superintendent of a correctional facility may order the investigation of any proposed sponsor as he deems necessary.

(6) Proposed sponsors shall be interviewed by the institution furlough investigator prior to the inmate's initial furlough and shall be re-interviewed by a furlough investigator on a quarterly basis during the inmate's furlough year.

(7) Upon the completion of all required interviews and sponsorship forms which include a Background Information Request and Waiver Form, a Furlough Sponsorship Agreement Form, a Sponsor Interview Form, a Police Chief interview, a home investigation report (if applicable), and a CORI A petitioner interview, if applicable, all forms and reports are to be forwarded to the Departments Investigations Unit. Included in the package shall be a recent classification board report and a copy of the sponsor's telephone bill. The chief of the investigation unit shall review the package for completeness and act as a reviewing authority. The chief of investigations shall return the package to the facility with comments and recommendations. The sponsor package will be reviewed by the institution furlough panel, for a determination of approval or denial of the individual to act as a furlough sponsor. The facility Superintendent will render a final decision as to the appropriateness of the individual to act as a furlough sponsor.