Florida Work Release Program

Participants received the opportunity to gain and maintain employment before their release from prison, though they were responsible for finding their own job. Most participants found jobs through newspaper listings, typically within two to four weeks after starting the program. Additionally, participants transferred to work release centers, where they attend an orientation on the work release program and were allowed to leave the center for their scheduled work hours. Participants who attained employment had 45 percent of wages garnished for room and board in work-release centers. The remaining 55 percent of wages could be additionally garnished depending on the participant. The state could withhold an additional10 percent of wages for each of these conditions; restitution, court payments, child support, or alimony. Participants’ access to their wages was capped at $65 per week for incidentals, with the remainder kept in participants’ savings. Program participation lasted for up to 10 months. Participants were all people who were incarcerated; had fewer than 10 months but more than 60 days left in their sentence; and did not have a record of escape, violent detainer, sexual offense crimes, or dismissal from work-release programs. Work-release centers were located across the state of Florida.