Conditional release

Table of Contents

1. The federal parole grant rate is relatively stable
2. The federal parole grant rate for Aboriginal offenders has increased in the last decade
3. Federal parole hearings involving an Aboriginal Cultural Advisor are increasing
4. Offenders granted full parole serve about 40% of their sentence
   prior to starting full parole
5. Aboriginal offenders serve a higher proportion of their sentences
   before being released on parole
6. Women serve a lower proportion of their sentences than men
   before being released on parole
7. A large majority of federal day paroles are successfully completed
8. The majority of federal full paroles are successfully completed
9. The majority of statutory releases are successfully completed
10. Supervised offenders are being convicted of fewer violent offences
11. Over 21% of offenders serving determinate sentences were not reviewed for parole
12. The number of offenders granted temporary absences
    has decreased since 1999-2000

The federal parole grant rate is relatively stable

Figure D1

Source: National Parole Board.

• In 2004-05, the grant rates for day parole and full parole were 74.5% and 45.6%, respectively.
• The grant rate for day parole and full parole increased from 1995-96 to 1998-99 and has since remained relatively stable.
• Federal day parole and full parole grant rates are higher for female offenders than for male offenders.

Note:
The grant rate represents the percentage of pre-release reviews resulting in a grant by the National Parole Board.

Day parole is a type of conditional release granted by the National Parole Board in which offenders are permitted to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release. The conditions require offenders to return nightly to an institution or half-way house unless otherwise authorized by the National Parole Board.

Not all offenders apply for day parole, and some apply more than once before being granted day parole.

Full parole is a type of conditional release granted by the National Parole Board in which the remainder of the sentence is served under supervision in the community.

The National Parole Board must review the cases of all offenders for full parole at the time prescribed by legislation, unless the offender advises the National Parole Board in writing that he/she does not wish to be considered for full parole.

Table D1

Source: National Parole Board.

Note:
The grant rate represents the percentage of pre-release reviews resulting in a grant by the National Parole Board.

Day parole is a type of conditional release granted by the National Parole Board in which offenders are permitted to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release. The conditions require offenders to return nightly to an institution or half-way house unless otherwise authorized by the National Parole Board.

Not all offenders apply for day parole, and some apply more than once before being granted day parole.

Full parole is a type of conditional release granted by the National Parole Board in which the remainder of the sentence is served under supervision in the community.

The National Parole Board must review the cases of all offenders for full parole at the time prescribed by legislation, unless the offender advises the National Parole Board in writing that he/she does not wish to be considered for full parole.

The federal parole grant rate for Aboriginal offenders has increased in the last decade

Figure D2

Source: National Parole Board.

• The day parole grant rate for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal offenders was stable from 2003-04 to 2004-05. The rate was 2.8% higher for Aboriginal offenders than that of non-Aboriginal offenders in 2004-05.
• The full parole grant rate for Aboriginal offenders decreased 1.2% in 2004-05 to 39.8% from 41% in 2003-04. In 2004-05, the rate was 6.7% lower than that for non-Aboriginal offenders.

Note:
The grant rate represents the percentage of pre-release reviews resulting in a grant by the National Parole Board.

Day parole is a type of conditional release granted by the National Parole Board in which offenders are permitted to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release. The conditions require offenders to return nightly to an institution or half-way house unless otherwise authorized by the National Parole Board.

Not all offenders apply for day parole, and some apply more than once before being granted day parole.

Full parole is a type of conditional release granted by the National Parole Board in which the remainder of the sentence is served under supervision in the community.

The National Parole Board must review the cases of all offenders for full parole at the time prescribed by legislation, unless the offender advises the National Parole Board in writing that he/she does not wish to be considered for full parole.

Table D2

Type of Release

Year

Aboriginal

Non-Aboriginal

Total Number Granted/

Denied

Number Granted

Number Denied

Grant Rate (%)

Number Granted

Number Denied

Grant Rate (%)

Day Parole

1995-96

279

301

48.1

2,882

1,921

60.0

5,383

1996-97

305

151

66.9

2,391

1,191

66.8

4,038

1997-98

492

203

70.8

3,153

1,197

72.5

5,045

1998-99

529

209

71.7

3,271

1,091

75.0

5,100

1999-00

525

223

70.2

3,314

1,243

72.7

5,305

2000-01

516

190

73.1

2,944

1,162

71.7

4,812

2001-02

468

155

75.1

2,702

1,102

71.0

4,427

2002-03

473

173

73.2

2,552

1,032

71.2

4,230

2003-04

494

146

77.2

2,627

926

73.9

4,193

2004-05

486

146

76.9

2,584

903

74.1

4,119

Full Parole

1995-96

137

504

21.4

1,817

3,211

36.1

5,669

1996-97

159

341

31.8

1,585

2,252

41.3

4,337

1997-98

183

424

30.1

1,797

2,287

44.0

4,691

1998-99

209

446

31.9

1,907

2,287

45.5

4,849

1999-00

243

436

35.8

1,926

2,387

44.7

4,992

2000-01

203

359

36.1

1,611

2,104

43.4

4,277

2001-02

182

305

37.4

1,478

1,877

44.1

3,842

2002-03

169

318

34.7

1,335

1,706

43.9

3,528

2003-04

193

278

41.0

1,411

1,668

45.8

3,550

2004-05

185

280

39.8

1,339

1,540

46.5

3,344

Source: National Parole Board.

Note:
The grant rate represents the percentage of pre-release reviews resulting in a grant by the National Parole Board.

Day parole is a type of conditional release granted by the National Parole Board in which offenders are permitted to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release. The conditions require offenders to return nightly to an institution or half-way house unless otherwise authorized by the National Parole Board.

Not all offenders apply for day parole, and some apply more than once before being granted day parole.

Full parole is a type of conditional release granted by the National Parole Board in which the remainder of the sentence is served under supervision in the community.

The National Parole Board must review the cases of all offenders for full parole at the time prescribed by legislation, unless the offender advises the National Parole Board in writing that he/she does not wish to be considered for full parole.

Federal parole hearings involving an aboriginal cultural advisor are increasing

Source: National Parole Board.

• In 2004-05, almost half (47.8%) of all hearings for Aboriginal offenders were held with an Aboriginal Cultural Advisor, an increase from 15.4% in 1996-97.
• In 2004-05, hearings held with an Aboriginal Cultural Advisor for non-Aboriginal offenders accounted for 14.5% of all Aboriginal Cultural Advisor hearings.

Note:
The presence of an Aboriginal Cultural Advisor is an alternative approach to the traditional parole hearing, which was introduced by the National Parole Board to ensure that conditional release hearings were sensitive to Aboriginal cultural values and traditions. This type of hearing is available to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal offenders.

Table D3

Source: National Parole Board.

Note:
The presence of an Aboriginal Cultural Advisor is an alternative approach to the traditional parole hearing, which was introduced by the National Parole Board to ensure that conditional release hearings were sensitive to Aboriginal cultural values and traditions. This type of hearing is available to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal offenders.

Offenders granted full parole serve about 40% of their sentence prior to starting full parole

Figure D4

Source: National Parole Board.

• The percentage of time served until first full parole was 39.9% in 2004-05. The percentage of time served until first full parole has fluctuated very little since 1995-96.
• In 2004-05, women served an average of 2.5% less of their sentences before first federal full parole and 4.4% less before first federal day parole than men (37.6% compared to 40.1% and 29.4% compared to 33.8%, respectively).

Note:

Timing of parole in the sentence refers to the percentage of the sentence served at the time the first day parole or full parole starts during the sentence. In most cases a full parole is preceded by a day parole.

These calculations are based on sentences under federal jurisdiction excluding life sentences and indeterminate sentences.

Offenders (other than those serving life or indeterminate sentences or subject to judicial determination) normally become eligible for full parole after serving 1/3 of their sentence or seven years, whichever is less. Eligibility for day parole is normally at 6 months before full parole eligibility or at 1/6 of the sentence for cases that meet the accelerated parole review criteria (see Section 125 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act).

Table D4

Source: National Parole Board.

Note:
Timing of parole in the sentence refers to the percentage of the sentence served at the time the first day parole or full parole starts during the sentence. In most cases a full parole is preceded by a day parole.

These calculations are based on sentences under federal jurisdiction excluding life sentences and indeterminate sentences.

Offenders (other than those serving life or indeterminate sentences or subject to judicial determination) normally become eligible for full parole after serving 1/3 of their sentence or seven years, whichever is less. Eligibility for day parole is normally at 6 months before full parole eligibility or at 1/6 of the sentence for cases that meet the accelerated parole review criteria (see Section 125 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act).

Aboriginal offenders serve a higher proportion of their sentences
before being released on parole

Figure D5

Source: National Parole Board.

• In 2004-05, the percentage of time served until full parole was lower for non-Aboriginal offenders than for Aboriginal offenders (39.5% versus 42.9%, respectively).
• In 2004-05, the percentage of time served until first day parole was lower for non-Aboriginal offenders than it was for Aboriginal offenders (32.7% versus 37.8%, respectively).
• Of the 133 Aboriginal offenders released on a first federal full parole in 2004-05, 43.6% of them were released on accelerated full parole compared to 62.2% of non-Aboriginal offenders.
• Of the 258 Aboriginal offenders released on a first federal day parole in 2004-05, 27.9% of them were released on accelerated day parole compared to 47.7% of non-Aboriginal offenders.

Note:
Timing of parole in the sentence refers to the percentage of the sentence served at the time the first day parole or full parole starts during the sentence. In most cases a full parole is preceded by a day parole.

These calculations are based on sentences under federal jurisdiction excluding life sentences and indeterminate sentences.

Offenders (other than those serving life or indeterminate sentences or subject to judicial determination) normally become eligible for full parole after serving 1/3 of their sentence or seven years, whichever is less. Eligibility for day parole is normally at 6 months before full parole eligibility or at 1/6 of the sentence for cases that meet the accelerated parole review criteria (see Section 125 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act).

Table D5

Source: National Parole Board.

Note:
Timing of parole in the sentence refers to the percentage of the sentence served at the time the first day parole or full parole starts during the sentence. In most cases a full parole is preceded by a day parole.

These calculations are based on sentences under federal jurisdiction excluding life sentences and indeterminate sentences.

Offenders (other than those serving life or indeterminate sentences or subject to judicial determination) normally become eligible for full parole after serving 1/3 of their sentence or seven years, whichever is less. Eligibility for day parole is normally at 6 months before full parole eligibility or at 1/6 of the sentence for cases that meet the accelerated parole review criteria (see Section 125 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act).

Women serve a lower proportion of their sentences than men
before being released on parole

Figure D6

Source: National Parole Board.

• In 2004-05, men served more of their sentences than women prior to beginning their first full parole supervision period (40.1% compared to 37.6%).
• In 2004-05, the percentage of time served until first day parole was less for female offenders than it was for male offenders (29.4% versus 33.8%, respectively).
• Of the 1,158 female offenders released on full parole since 1995-96, 67.3% of them were released on accelerated full parole compared to 59.1% of the 13,020 male offenders released on full parole.
• Since the first full year of accelerated day parole in 1997-98, female offenders were released on accelerated day parole more often the male offenders (57.9% versus 42.0%, respectively).

Note:
Timing of parole in the sentence refers to the percentage of the sentence served at the time the first day parole or full parole starts during the sentence. In most cases a full parole is preceded by a day parole.

These calculations are based on sentences under federal jurisdiction excluding life sentences and indeterminate sentences.

Offenders (other than those serving life or indeterminate sentences or subject to judicial determination) normally become eligible for full parole after serving 1/3 of their sentence or seven years, whichever is less. Eligibility for day parole is normally at 6 months before full parole eligibility or at 1/6 of the sentence for cases that meet the accelerated parole review criteria (see Section 125 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act).

Women serve a lower proportion of their sentences than men
before being released on parole

Table D6

Source: National Parole Board.

Note:
Timing of parole in the sentence refers to the percentage of the sentence served at the time the first day parole or full parole starts during the sentence. In most cases a full parole is preceded by a day parole.

These calculations are based on sentences under federal jurisdiction excluding life sentences and indeterminate sentences.

Offenders (other than those serving life or indeterminate sentences or subject to judicial determination) normally become eligible for full parole after serving 1/3 of their sentence or seven years, whichever is less. Eligibility for day parole is normally at 6 months before full parole eligibility or at 1/6 of the sentence for cases that meet the accelerated parole review criteria (see Section 125 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act).

A large majority of federal day paroles are successfully completed

Figure D7

Source: National Parole Board.

• Since 1995-96, over 80% of day paroles have been completed successfully.
• Based on the year of completion of the supervision period, the total number of federal day paroles completed was 3,011 in 2004-05.
• In 2004-05, 3.3% of day paroles ended with a non-violent offence and 0.5% with a violent offence.
• In 2004-05, the percentage of successful day paroles was higher for men than for women (84.2% versus 82.7%, respectively).

Note:
*”Revocation for Breach of Conditions” also includes revocation with outstanding charges.

A day parole is considered successful if it was completed without a return to prison for a breach of conditions or for a new offence.

Table D7

Federal Day Parole

Outcomes

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

#

%

#

%

#

%

#

%

#

%

Successful Completion

Regular

2,035

81.4

1,930

82.6

1,810

82.6

1,790

83.6

1,867

84.4

Accelerated

872

81.6

746

82.5

714

83.1

715

82.7

664

83.2

Total

2,907

81.4

2,676

82.6

2,524

82.8

2,505

83.3

2,531

84.1

Revocation for Breach of Conditions*

Regular

316

12.6

284

12.2

296

13.5

268

12.5

280

12.7

Accelerated

94

8.8

97

10.7

86

10.0

97

11.2

88

11.0

Total

410

11.5

381

11.8

382

12.5

365

12.1

368

12.2

Revocation with Non-Violent Offence

Regular

117

4.7

94

4.0

66

3.0

66

3.1

56

2.5

Accelerated

101

9.5

57

6.3

56

6.5

50

5.8

42

5.3

Total

218

6.1

151

4.7

122

4.0

116

3.9

98

3.3

Revocation with Violent Offence**

Regular

33

1.3

28

1.2

19

0.9

18

0.8

10

0.5

Accelerated

2

0.2

4

0.4

3

0.3

2

0.2

4

0.5

Total

35

1.0

32

1.0

22

0.7

20

0.7

14

0.5

Total

Regular

2,501

70.1

2,336

72.1

2,191

71.8

2,142

71.3

2,213

73.5

Accelerated

1,069

29.9

904

27.9

859

28.2

864

28.7

798

26.5

Total

3,570

100.0

3,240

100.0

3,050

100.0

3,006

100.0

3,011

100.0

Source: National Parole Board.

Note:
*”Revocation for Breach of Conditions” also includes revocation with outstanding charges.

**Violent offences include murder and Schedule I offences (listed in the Corrections and Conditional Release Act) such as assaults, sexual offences, arson, abduction, robbery and some weapon offences.

Day parole is a type of conditional release in which offenders are permitted to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release. The conditions require offenders to return nightly to an institution or half-way house unless otherwise authorized by the National Parole Board.

Eligibility for day parole release normally occurs 6 months prior to full parole. Eligibility for accelerated parole review cases occurs after the offender serves 6 months or 1/6 of the sentence, whichever is greater.

The majority of federal full paroles are successfully completed

Figure D8

Source: National Parole Board.

• Since 1998-99, the percentage of full paroles that were completed successfully has remained relatively stable.
• In 2004-05, 7.4% of full paroles ended with a non-violent offence and 1.1% with a violent offence.
• In 2004-05, the percentage of successful full paroles was similar for women (72.7%) and men (73.2%).
• Based on the year of completion of the supervision period, the number of federal full paroles completed was 1,429 in 2004-05.

Note:
*”Revocation for Breach of Conditions” also includes revocation with outstanding charges.

A full parole is considered successful if it was completed without a return to prison for a breach of conditions or for a new offence.

These data do not include offenders serving life or indeterminate sentences as these offenders, by definition, remain under supervision for life.

Table D8

Federal Full Parole

Outcomes*

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

#

%

#

%

#

%

#

%

#

%

Successful Completion

Regular

627

75.2

629

77.7

524

75.5

489

79.4

435

76.2

Accelerated

708

73.2

696

71.2

638

70.4

557

68.3

610

71.1

Total

1,335

74.1

1,325

74.3

1,162

72.6

1,046

73.0

1,045

73.1

Revocation for Breach of Conditions**

Regular

109

13.1

109

13.5

101

14.6

83

13.5

92

16.1

Accelerated

155

16.0

171

17.5

172

19.0

178

21.8

170

19.8

Total

264

14.7

280

15.7

273

17.1

261

18.2

262

18.3

Revocation with Non-Violent Offence

Regular

73

8.8

50

6.2

52

7.5

34

5.5

32

5.6

Accelerated

95

9.8

103

10.5

90

9.9

75

9.2

74

8.6

Total

168

9.3

153

8.6

142

8.9

109

7.6

106

7.4

Revocation with Violent Offence***

Regular

25

3.0

22

2.7

17

2.5

10

1.6

12

2.1

Accelerated

9

0.9

7

0.7

6

0.7

6

0.7

4

0.5

Total

34

1.9

29

1.6

23

1.4

16

1.1

16

1.1

Total

Regular

834

46.3

810

45.3

694

43.4

616

43.0

571

40.0

Accelerated

967

53.7

977

54.7

906

56.6

816

57.0

858

60.0

Total

1,801

100.0

1,787

100.0

1,600

100.0

1,432

100.0

1,429

100.0

Source: National Parole Board.

Note:
*Excludes offenders serving indeterminate sentences because they do not have a warrant expiry date and can only successfully complete full parole by dying.

**”Revocation for Breach of Conditions” also includes revocation with outstanding charges

***Violent offences include murder and Schedule I offences (listed in the Corrections and Conditional Release Act) such as assaults, sexual offences, arson, abduction, robbery and some weapon offences.

Full parole is a type of conditional release granted by the National Parole Board in which a portion of the sentence is served under supervision in the community. Offenders (other than those serving life or indeterminate sentences or subject to judicial determination) normally become eligible for full parole after serving 1/3 of their sentence or seven years, whichever is less.

The majority of statutory releases are successfully completed

Figure D9

Source: National Parole Board.

• Over the past ten years, the percentage of statutory releases that were completed successfully ranged from 56.5% to 60.6%.
• In 2004-05, 9.4% of statutory releases ended with a non-violent offence and 2.1% with a violent offence.
• In 2004-05, the percentage of successful statutory releases was comparable for women and men (58.8% and 58.2% respectively).

Note:
*”Revocation for Breach of Conditions” also includes revocation with outstanding charges.

A statutory release is considered successful if it was completed without a return to prison for a breach of conditions or for a new offence.

Statutory release refers to a conditional release that is subject to supervision after the offender has served two-thirds of the sentence.

Table D9

Statutory Release Outcomes

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

#

%

#

%

#

%

#

%

#

%

Successful Completion

2,957

58.7

3,022

59.2

3,138

57.7

3,117

58.0

3,091

58.2

Revocation for Breach of Conditions*

1,294

25.7

1,371

26.9

1,612

29.6

1,595

29.7

1,611

30.3

Revocation with

Non-Violent Offence

619

12.3

560

11.0

543

10.0

520

9.7

498

9.4

Revocation with Violent Offence**

166

3.3

149

2.9

148

2.7

147

2.7

109

2.1

Total

5,036

100.0

5,102

100.0

5,441

100.0

5,379

100.0

5,309

100.0

Source: National Parole Board.

Note:

*”Revocation for Breach of Conditions” also includes revocation with outstanding charges.

Supervised offenders are being convicted of fewer violent offences

Figure D10

Source: National Parole Board.

• The rate of reconviction for violent offences* while under community supervision has declined since 1995-96.
• Those offenders under discretionary release (full parole and day parole) are less likely to be convicted of a violent offence while under supervision than those on statutory release.

Note:
*Violent offences include murder and Schedule I offences (listed in the Corrections and Conditional Release Act) such as assaults, sexual offences, arson, abduction, robbery and some weapon offences.

The dotted line between 2003-04 and 2004-05 is intended to signify that due to delays in the court process, these numbers underrepresent the actual number of convictions, as verdicts may not have been reached by year-end.

Supervised offenders include offenders who are on parole, statutory release, those temporarily detained in federal institutions, and those who are unlawfully at large.

Table D10

Source: National Parole Board.

Note:
*Due to dealys in the court processes, the numbers underrepresent the actual number of convictions, as verdicts may not have been reached by year-end.

Violent offences include murder and Schedule I offences (listed in the Corrections and Conditional Release Act) such as assaults, sexual offences, arson, abduction, robbery and some weapon offences.

Supervised offenders include offenders who are on parole, statutory release, those temporarily detained in federal institutions, and those who are unlawfully at large.

Day parole includes those offenders serving determinate and indeterminate sentences.

Over 21% of offenders serving determinate sentences were not reviewed for parole

Figure D11

Source: National Parole Board.

• For offenders commencing determinate sentences between April 1, 1996 and March 31, 2001 and completed their sentences by March 31, 2005
  • 21.5% did not appear before the National Parole Board for a decision during their sentence as they waived their parole review, postponed it until after statutory release, or withdrew their parole applications.
  • 56.1% were granted parole at some time during their sentence.
  • 22.4% appeared before the parole board and were denied parole throughout their sentence.

Note:
*Data include only those offenders who commenced their determinate sentence during the fiscal year indicated (April 1 to March 31 of the following year) and had completed their sentence by March 31, 2005.

Table D11

Year That Determinate Sentence Commenced

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-00

2000-01

#

%

#

%

#

%

#

%

#

%

Reviewed by Board

2,902

78.7

2,934

80.3

2,910

79.1

2,528

77.5

2,249

76.5

Parole Granted

2,085

56.6

2,116

57.9

2,092

56.9

1,828

56.0

1,552

52.8

Parole Denied

817

22.2

818

22.4

818

22.2

700

21.5

697

23.7

Not Reviewed by Board*

785

21.3

718

19.7

767

20.9

734

22.5

691

23.5

Total Sentences

3,687

100.0

3,652

100.0

3,677

100.0

3,262

100.0

2,940

100.0

Source: National Parole Board.

Note:
*These are determinate sentences where the offender either waived all parole reviews, withdrew all parole applications, or postponed it until statutory release.

Data include only those offenders who commenced their determinate sentence during the fiscal year indicated (April 1 to March 31 of the following year) and had completed their sentence by March 31, 2005.

The number of offenders granted temporary absences
has decreased since 1999-2000

Figure D12

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• The number of offenders receiving escorted and unescorted temporary absences has decreased since peaking in 1998-99.
• The number of offenders receiving work releases increased from 1995-96 to 1998-99 and has decreased since.
• The successful completion rates for work releases, escorted and unescorted temporary absences are consistently over 99%.

Note:
A temporary absence is permission given to an eligible offender to be away from the normal place of confinement for medical, administrative, community service, family contact, personal development for rehabilitative purposes, or compassionate reasons, including parental responsibilities.

A work release is a structure program of release of specified duration for work or community service outside the penitentiary, under the supervision of a staff member or other authorized person or organization.

These numbers depict the number of offenders who received at least one temporary absence permit (excluding those for medical purposes) or at least one work release. An offender may be granted more than one temporary absence permit or work release over a period of time.

Table D12

Temporary Absences

Work Releases

Year

Escorted

Unescorted

# of Offenders

# of Permits

# of Offenders

# of Permits

# of Offenders

# of Releases

1995-96

2,593

26,057

876

4,147

364

780

1996-97

2,690

24,580

992

5,144

416

945

1997-98

2,998

30,772

1,097

5,707

645

1,685

1998-99

3,538

36,564

1,208

6,734

925

2,696

1999-00

3,499

40,531

1,159

7,354

821

2,134

2000-01

3,134

34,089

1,066

6,559

642

1,720

2001-02

2,872

29,991

824

5,126

583

1,323

2002-03

2,706

34,059

713

4,868

575

1,296

2003-04

2,687

38,024

707

4,088

474

1,010

2004-05

2,497

35,140

511

3,550

290

675

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:
A temporary absence is permission given to an eligible offender to be away from the normal place of confinement for medical, administrative, community service, family contact, personal development for rehabilitative purposes, or compassionate reasons, including parental responsibilities.

A work release is a structure program of release of specified duration for work or community service outside the penitentiary, under the supervision of a staff member or other authorized person or organization.

The data depict the number of offenders who received at least one temporary absence permit (excluding those for medical purposes) or at least one work release. Because an offender may be granted more than one temporary absence permit or work release over a period of time, the total number of permits and work releases received during that time period is also provided.