Inmates spending weekends at home (2013, crimes, felons)

[GotHereQuickAsICould]

Just read in the N&O about prison inmates getting weekends off.

Prosecutors want end to prisoner weekend release program | State Politics | NewsObserver.com

Though prison officials say this program is to help soon-to-be-released prisoners make the transition back to the community, it appears that several of the prisoners are a long ways away from that. One guy has been going home for two years where he spends time rallying support for his parole. Clearly, the plans are not in place for his release.

June 15 & 16, there were 149 prisoners wandering our neighborhoods, including 36 convicted of murder and 19 listed as "habitual felons." A woman serving a life sentence for killing a police officer was on a wee holiday from the Big House.

What in the world is going on here?

Anybody know?

[sowk09]

What's going on is it saves money and money talks. I like the idea of the program for people getting ready to be released. Right now the prison system, at least in our state, does very little to help offenders as they are coming out and trying to adjust to life on the outside, which means they generally end up back inside. But for people with long sentences, I don't get the point. Except, again, that it is saving money.


Edit: Just saw that it says they only get to participate if they are within a year of their release. So yeah, I can definitely see how this program would be helpful to them establishing themselves in preparation for getting out.

[playnice]

It is confusing that someone with a life sentence is eligible for weekend/work release over say most any other inmate.

[GotHereQuickAsICould]

Originally Posted by sowk09

What's going on is it saves money and money talks. I like the idea of the program for people getting ready to be released. Right now the prison system, at least in our state, does very little to help offenders as they are coming out and trying to adjust to life on the outside, which means they generally end up back inside. But for people with long sentences, I don't get the point. Except, again, that it is saving money.


Edit: Just saw that it says they only get to participate if they are within a year of their release. So yeah, I can definitely see how this program would be helpful to them establishing themselves in preparation for getting out.

But one guy has been home weekends for two years, apparently working on getting support for a parole hearing. Others are serving life sentences for murder. It is unclear just how close any of them are to a release date.

Are they saving money by not having to feed them on weekends? Are there other savings I haven't thought about?

Shouldn't their victims be notified they're out and about?

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by GotHereQuickAsICould

But one guy...

So... is your objection to the program in total?
or to how the prison officials handle a few cases out of the thousands that run through their office?

[GotHereQuickAsICould]

Originally Posted by MrRational

So... is your objection to the program in total?
or to how the prison officials handle a few cases out of the thousands that run through their office?

Not sure I object at all, just seems strange to me. I've heard of transitioning to halfway houses upon release from prison. Never heard of prisoners getting weekends off for years at a time.

My understanding is that victims and their families are notified of parole hearings and release dates so that they can take what steps are necessary.

But with no notification of weekend passes, presumably people could wander into the grocery store and run up against the person who raped them, or killed their brother, or ...?

[Vangogh121]

Do you have any information on this? A webpage link?

[GotHereQuickAsICould]

Originally Posted by Vangogh121

Do you have any information on this? A webpage link?

Prosecutors want end to prisoner weekend release program | State Politics | NewsObserver.com

[GotHereQuickAsICould]

Many inmates transition to halfway houses at the end of their sentences. They work with counselors and parole officers on jobs, living situations, family reunification, and other transitional activities. I think this is a great idea.

But these weekend passes seem to be time off to do whatever -- play golf, hang out with your old friends...
.
It also appears to be shortening sentences without going through the courts.

[Vangogh121]

The article is quite vague, I wish there was more detail about the inmates in question, their specific crimes and how far they are in to their rehabilitation. I agree that this would be a great program to transition back into society. My only concern would be for individuals that might not be rehabilitated. On the good note, there is not reports of crimes from these individuals and none have jumped ship. Hopefully this article will force a stronger look at the program and ensure we are doing the right thing for the inmates and the community they will be reintroduced into.