* § 633. Procedure for furlough release of eligible inmates. 1. A person confined in a city prison or a county jail and penitentiaries of a county which elects to have this article apply thereto who is, or who within thirty days will become, an eligible inmate, may make application to the furlough release committee of the institution for permission to participate in a furlough program.

2. Any eligible inmate may make application to the furlough committee for leave of absence provided, however, that in exigent circumstances such application may be made directly to the warden of the institution and the warden may exercise all of the powers of the furlough committee subject, however, to any limitations or requirements set forth in the rules and regulations of the department and subject further to the discretion of the commissioner.

3. If the furlough committee determines that a furlough program for the applicant is consistent with the safety of the community, is in the best interests of rehabilitation of the applicant, and is consistent with the rules and regulations of the department, the committee, with the assistance of the employees designated by the commissioner pursuant to section six hundred thirty-two of this chapter, shall develop a suitable furlough program for the applicant.

4. The committee shall then prepare a memorandum setting forth the details of the furlough program including the extended bounds of confinement and any other matter required by the rules and regulations of the department. Such memorandum shall be transmitted to the warden who may approve or reject the program. If the warden approves the program, he shall indicate such approval in writing by signing the memorandum. If the warden rejects the program, such decision shall be reviewed by the commissioner.

5. In order for the applicant to accept the furlough program, he shall agree to be bound by all the terms and conditions thereof and shall indicate such agreement by signing the memorandum of the program immediately below a statement reading as follows:

"I accept the foregoing program and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions thereof. I understand I will be under the supervision of the department while I am away from the premises of the institution and I agree to comply with the instructions of any employee of the department assigned to supervise me. I will carry a copy of this memorandum on my person at all times while I am away from the premises of the institution and I will exhibit it to any peace officer or police officer upon his request. I understand that my participation in the program is a privilege which may be revoked at any time, and that if I violate any provision of the program I may be taken into custody by any peace officer or police officer and I will be subject to disciplinary procedures. I further understand that if I intentionally fail to return to the institution at or before the time specified in the memorandum I may be found guilty of a misdemeanor."

6. After approving the program of furlough, the warden may then permit an eligible inmate who has accepted such program to go outside the premises of the institution within the limits of the extended bounds of confinement described in the memorandum; provided, however, that no such permission shall become effective in the case of a furlough program prior to the time at which the person to be released becomes an eligible inmate.

7. Participation in a furlough release program shall be a privilege. Nothing contained in this article may be construed to confer upon any inmate the right to participate, or to continue to participate in a furlough program. The warden of the institution may at any time, and upon recommendation of the furlough committee or of the commissioner, revoke any inmate's privilege to participate in a program of furlough.

* NB Expires September 1, 2020