furlough

Furlough is a temporary release of a convict who has served a minimum part of a long sentence and has behaved well. Its purpose is to let the prisoner keep family and social ties and avoid the ill effects of continuous imprisonment. No particular reason is needed, and the time spent on furlough is ordinarily counted as part of the sentence.

It differs from parole, which is granted for a specific emergency such as illness or a death in the family, and whose period is usually not counted. Since prisons are a State subject, furlough is governed by State prison rules, which set eligibility and exclude some categories of offenders. The Supreme Court explained the difference between the two in State of Haryana v. Mohinder Singh (2000). Furlough is not an absolute right; it can be refused where release would endanger public peace.

Example

Having served seven years with a clean record, the life convict applied for furlough under the State prison rules, not for parole, since he cited no emergency.

In Indian law

• State prison rules (prisons are Entry 4, List II, Seventh Schedule)
• State of Haryana v. Mohinder Singh, 2000 INSC 55

See also

parole · remission · sentence · probation

Read more in the study notes

• Alternatives to imprisonment: probation, open prisons, parole and furlough (Penology and Victimology)
• The prison system and prison reforms in India (Penology and Victimology)