Statistical Descrg;;

of the Furlough P

m

OVERVIEW

Since the inception of the program in November, 1972 to December 1987,
121,713 Fu.rloughsl have been granted to 10,835 inmates. 2

Of these 428 resulted in an escape and 219 resulted in a return of over 2
hours late, yielding an overall escape rate of 0.5 percent)

Escape rate has gradually declined since the inception of the program, from
1.996 in 1973 to 0.196 in 1987. 3

Since the inception of the program, there has been a trend toward a
decreasing proportion

of

the

released

population

having furlough

program

participation prior to release, from 7496 in 1974 to 2796 in 1986. 4 .

As of January 1, 1987,_ there were 1,582 inmates in the DOC with one or more
furloughs out of a population of 5,636. Thus, 2896 of the population have had one or
more furloughs. S

In 1986, 27 percent of all releases had one or more furloughs prior to release.
Thirty-four percent of all men and 6 percent of all women were furloughed prior to
release. 6

FIRST-DEGREE LIFERS:

Between 1972 and 1975, 792 furloughs were granted to first-degree lifers that
resulted in 6 escapes, for an escape rate of 0.76 or 7.6 escapes per 1,000
furloughs. 7

Between 1976 and 1980, 2,328 escapes were granted to first-degree lifers and
2 escapes resulted, yielding an escape rate of 0.08 or .8 escapes per 1,000
furloughs. 8

Between 1981 and 1986, 2,434 furloughs were granted and 3 escapes resulted,
yielding an escape rate of 0.12 percent or 1.2 escapes per 1,000 furloughs. 8

There is currently no information available on the furlough activity of firstdegree lifers during 1987.

SECOND-DEGREE UFERS:

From 1976-1980, 5,233 furloughs were granted to second-degree lifers and 12
resulted in an escape for an escape rate of 0.2296 or 2.2 escapes per 1,000
furloughs. 8

From 1981-1986 6,293 furloughs were granted to second-degree lifers and 9
resulted in an escape for an escape rate of 0.1496 or 1.4 escapes per 1,000
furl oughs. 8

A t this point no information is available on furlough activity for seconddegree lifers in 1987.

Lifers in the Department of Correction:

At the end of October 1987 there were 788 lifers in DOC facilities (inclUding
Bridgewater State Hospital and Bridgewater Treatment Center) including lifers
incarcerated for Mu1'del'-1 (N=326) mW'del'-2 (N=396) and other offenses (N=66).9

Commutations:

From 1981 to 1986, 9 first-degree lifers had been released following

G

commutation. All had participated in the furlough program prior to release.l 0

Furloughs and Recidivism:

Between 1973 and 1984, those persons who had experienced a furlough prior

to release from prison had significantly lower rates of recidivism than did
individuals who had not experienced a furlough prior to release. This trend held for
twelve consecutive years. ll

For example, in 1984 the recidivism rate for inmates

released with one or more prior furloughs was 12% compared to 31% for inmates
with no furlough program participation. ll

Technical Notes

1.

Source

is

Monthly

Statistical

Report

on

Massachusetts

Correctional

Programs, December 1987.

2.

Source

is

MONTHL Y/FURL 0 UGH/TABLES,

a

non-published

statistical

tabulation that is produced as a result of the monthly up-date process.

3.

Source is 1986 Annual Statistical Report of the Furlough Program, page 12.
and special tabulation on 1987 furlough activity.

4.

Source is 1986 Annual Statistical Report of the Furlough Program, page 13.

5.

Source is Statistical Description of Residents of Massachusetts Correctional
Institutions on January 1, 1987, pages 116-117.

6.

Source

is a Statistical Description of Releases From

Massachusetts

Correctional Institutions During 1986, page 20.

7.

Source is inmate master file special listing of first-degree lifers and
commuted first-degree Ufers, since reports for the period 1972-1975 did not
disaggreate furlough program participation by offense.

8.

Source is Annual Statistical Report of the Furlough Program for the years

1976 to 1986.

9.

Source

is Monthly Statistical Report on Massachusetts Correctional

Programs, October 1987.

10.

Source is Parole Board for 1981 to 1985 a Statistical Description of Releases
From Massachusetts Correctional Institutions During 1986.

11.

Source is The Effect of Community Reintegration on Rates of Recidivism: A
Statistical Overview of Data for The Years 1971 Through 1983 and Statistical
Tables l)escribing the Background Characteristics and Recidivism Rates for
Releases From ,\1assachusetts Correctional Institutions During 1984.