NCJ Number
184829
Journal
Sheriff Volume: 52 Issue: 4 Dated: July-August 2000 Pages: 22-25
Date Published
2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article profiles the work release programs for inmates in Virginia and Washington State.
Abstract
Virginia began its work release programs in 1969 with 10 male inmates. In 1992 Virginia went to a Jail Contract Bed Program (JCB) to alleviate overcrowding. The cooperative efforts between Virginia jails and the Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC) under the JCB Work Release Program allows State prison inmates to be returned to a jail in their home community to participate in work release prior to release. During fiscal year 1999 (July 1998-June 1999), 303 inmates participated in JCB Work Release. Of these, 32 (11 percent) were returned to the VDOC due to program violations, and 271 (89 percent) successfully completed the program. Of this number, three (1 percent) were returned as recidivists. The National Institute of Justice conducted several evaluations of Washington State's work release programs. Among the key evaluation findings were that nearly one-quarter of all inmates released made a successful transition to the community through work release; fewer than 5 percent of the work releasees committed new crimes while on work release, 99 percent of which were less-serious property offenses; middle-aged offenders and offenders convicted of property crimes were most likely to participate in work release. Older offenders were more successful in the program than younger ones, and whites were more successful than Hispanics and blacks. Success was also associated with having no prior criminal record. Overall, the evaluations concluded that the work release programs met their most important goal: preparing inmates for the transition back into society.