Loading...
The Department of Correction and Rehabilitation must operate a work release/pre-release program as authorized by Section 11-717 of the Correctional Services Article of the Maryland Code. In this program, an inmate detained or sentenced to the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, or Federal Bureau of Prisons may be allowed to leave the Pre-Release Center as approved by the Program Administrator to seek or work at gainful employment or attend a training program. The inmate may also participate in other rehabilitation activities, including:
(a) intensive counseling;
(b) academic education;
(c) home visitation;
(d) transitional phased release, including non-residential services; and
(e) maximum use of other community resources or other similar rehabilitative activities as approved by the Program Administrator.
Whenever the inmate is not employed or otherwise participating in the Program, the inmate must be confined in the Pre-Release Center. However, an inmate who participates in non-residential transitional phased release must live in a private dwelling approved by the Program Administrator, under the supervision of Division staff, and must be monitored electronically.
(1976 L.M.C., ch. 24, § 1; 1980 L.M.C., ch. 6, § 2; 2006 L.M.C., ch. 31, § 1.)
The purpose of the Program is to increase community safety and reduce crime by providing inmates with an opportunity to:
(a) participate in employment, education, or training;
(b) contribute to family support;
(c) accumulate savings for use upon release, making restitution, or payment of legitimate debts;
(d) participate in the Program's counseling services, social awareness, and educational programs;
(e) participate in other community services and activities, such as:
(i) a specialized alcohol treatment service;
(ii) a drug rehabilitation program;
(iii) private psychotherapy;
(iv) a community adult education program;
(v) a college course; and
(vi) a supervised community recreational event;
(f) acquire self-respect that flows from self-support and personal accomplishment;
(g) participate in a transitional phased release experience intended to lead to increased personal responsibility;
(h) provide federal and state officials with information to assist in determining the inmate’s suitability for parole;
(i) obtain suitable housing before release; and
(j) become a contributing member of society. (1976 L.M.C., ch. 24, § 1; 2006 L.M.C., ch. 31, § 1.)
Unless the context indicates otherwise, in this Article, the following words and phrases have the following meanings:
Department: The Department of Correction and Rehabilitation.
Director: The Director of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, or the Director’s designee.
Division: The Pre-Release and Reentry Services Division of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, which includes the Pre-Release Center facility and Home Confinement services.
Home Confinement services: A non-residential service in the work release/pre-release program designed to provide a transition from custody to release from custody. In this program, an inmate:
(a) lives in a private dwelling approved by the Program Administrator;
(b) is supervised by an electronic monitoring device and Division staff;
(c) is employed or attends school; and
(d) has family or sponsor involvement in home-based counseling.
Inmate: A person in the custody of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, or Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Pre-Release Center: A County-operated facility used to implement the work release/pre-release program.
Program Administrator: The Chief of the Pre-Release and Reentry Services Division, or the Chief’s designee.
Work release/pre-release program or Program: A pre-release treatment and reentry program intended to equip selected inmates to function successfully upon release from custody. The Program offers residential and non-residential reentry services. (1976 L.M.C., ch. 24, § 1; 1980 L.M.C., ch. 6, § 3; 2006 L.M.C., ch. 31, § 1.)
The Program Administrator must evaluate an inmate’s eligibility to participate in the Program based on the following standards.
(a) The inmate must voluntarily apply to the Program.
(b) The inmate must be within 12 months from release or a parole hearing.
(c) The inmate must be physically and mentally capable of performing the proposed assignments.
(d) An inmate who is an escape risk, as determined by the Program Administrator, is not eligible to participate in the Program.
(e) An inmate who has a pending criminal charge or a detainer for a criminal charge from another jurisdiction is not eligible to participate in the Program. However, the Program Administrator may allow an inmate with a pending criminal charge or a detainer for a criminal charge to participate in the Program if the Program Administrator finds that the resolution of the pending charge is not likely to interfere with the inmate’s continued participation in the Program.
(f) An inmate who has been removed from the Program within the previous 24 months is not eligible to participate in the Program. However, the Program Administrator may waive this standard for eligibility if:
(i) the purpose and effective operation of the Program will not be jeopardized; and
(ii) the best interest of the inmate, the inmate’s family, and the public will be served.
(g) If an inmate’s proposed employment involves handling any alcoholic beverage, drug, narcotic, firearm, ammunition, or explosive, the Program Administrator may exclude the inmate from participating in the Program if the Program Administrator decides that the employment is likely to jeopardize the inmate's safety or the safety of others.
(h) Division staff must evaluate and screen an inmate based on the criteria identified in Section 13-15. Information obtained during the screening process is confidential. (1976 L.M.C., ch. 24, § 1; 1980 L.M.C., ch. 6, § 4; 2006 L.M.C., ch. 31, § 1.)
Loading...