The days and weeks leading up to a release date are filled with practical questions that the facility is often not equipped to answer clearly. What time will they be released? What do they leave with? What happens if the release date changes? What is the difference between a projected release date and an actual release date? This section covers everything families need to know about the release process including how release dates are calculated, what good time and earned time credits do to the projected date, what an inmate receives upon release, how transportation from the facility works, what the first 24 hours after release typically look like, and how to prepare as a family for the moment the door opens. The guidance here comes from people who have walked out those doors and from families who were waiting on the other side. See also our sections on Halfway House, Parole and Probation, and Re-entry and Rehabilitation.
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Subject: Release questions
It depends on his charges - the length of the sentence seems pretty short and we doubt it will give him any relief because of it. Prop 57 changes the State Constitution sentencing and court procedures for two kinds of situations. Adults convicted of non-violent felonies would be eligible for parole after serving time for their main crimes. Inmates may also have more opportunities to reduce their sentences through credits for good behavior and approved educational activities.
Subject: Release questions
Most of the times, a "hold" from another jurisdiction is known ahead of time and the inmate's coun selor will go over the new charges and why they are getting referred to the new venue. There are however instances where the hold comes up at the last second but that is rare.
Subject: Release questions
No. Parole is an option that is determined at sentencing by the judge. If parole is available to you, you would likely get a chance to reduce your time served and not have to do the entire bid inside. Not all offenders are given parole as an option in their Judgement and Commitment order. If you don't have that option you will do 85% of your sentence and then get released. You will immediately report to the Probation Office and...
Read moreSubject: Release questions
If he is not in the state prison system or the federal BOP, there are no online postings for release dates. Even some states still do not have the release dates posted on their website. We would simply ask your inmate, because every inmate knows the exact day they are leaving.
Subject: Release questions
There is very little likelihood that Prop 57 will help. There is not enough time for processing the petition to affect them as they are out in three weeks.
Subject: Release questions
It is our understanding that the early release programs are not qualifying most violent offenders.The law is new and there are no cases to point to, but they define the "violent offender" in the language. An inmate will have to petition the court for a resentencing to even get considered for an early release. The sheer risk of having a violent crime happen by someone released on their watch is not going to get much of a chance with this law. You can always...
Read moreSubject: Release questions
Yes, it is possible that a sentence may be served on the weekend only, not normally the other way around. This is in cases where the offense is not considered a threat to the community and the offender is placed in some sort of work release. Weekend furloughs are not the norm, though. If your wife is not coming home when you think she is supposed to, you have a whole other problem to worry about.
Subject: Release questions
No, there are no cells in any federal prison camp. The inmates all live in an army-style barracks. It is all open in one big room with about 100 bunk beds lined up in rows separated by lockers. The bathrooms, showers and laundry rooms are attached.
Subject: Release questions
Yes, the minimum security inmates have room to move around. There is a track and weight equipment. There are also many organized sports events and recreational activities to keep them busy.
The low security means that the inmates are less likely to leave as they have short sentences and are close to the door. If they screw up, good time is taken away and they probably will do the balance of their time in a much more strict environment.
Subject: Release questions
The home he is going to be living in will have to be visited and approved by the agency overseeing his probation. The home cannot have anything visible, or with a cursory search, items that might be in contravention with his release. This could include firearms, alcohol, drugs or pornography - or proximity to a school. Our advice is to speak with someone at their offices and get the rules and regulations for offender's re-entry so that you're not surprised...
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