It depends on the sentence length and the conditions set during release planning. For shorter sentences, going directly home is often possible if the inmate has an approved address, a job or plan for employment, and no other conditions requiring supervised housing. For sentences over two years, placement in a halfway house before full release is common and sometimes required as part of the standard reentry process.
Halfway houses are not permanent. The counselors and staff there are motivated to move residents toward home confinement as quickly as the criteria are met. The typical requirements for transitioning out of a halfway house to home address include having a verified stable living situation, active employment or a concrete job offer, and a commitment to stay away from known felons while under supervision. Meeting those conditions quickly is the fastest path through the halfway house phase.
Home confinement following the halfway house often comes with electronic monitoring and regular check-ins, but it represents a significant step up in freedom compared to the halfway house environment.
For inmates who can demonstrate all of the stability requirements before release, case managers sometimes approve a direct release to home address, bypassing the halfway house entirely. Whether that option is on the table depends on the specific sentence structure, the jurisdiction, and the judgment of the case manager. It is worth having that conversation during reentry planning rather than assuming one outcome or the other.