Last Updated on July 2, 2025
To help minimize the populations of prisons and jails, state and county lawmakers have developed many alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders. One such program in California is the San Diego County Probation Department’s “Work Furlough (WF) and Residential Re-entry Center (RRC)” program, which allows inmates an opportunity to work and apply for jobs before they are released from custody. “If you or a loved one has been charged with (or already convicted of) a non-violent crime, I can help you arrange for an incarceration alternative, such as work furlough, to help you be released from custody,” says attorney Peter M. Liss.
What is Work Furlough?
Work furlough is a program that allows some people convicted of non-violent crimes to serve their jail sentences while still going to work. “This program is a great option allowing people to keep their livelihoods during their incarceration,” explains Liss, “which I believe can be really beneficial for those who are their family’s breadwinners.”
Those accepted into the program will be moved out of jail and into a residential facility. While inmates are free to go to work every day, they must promptly return to the facility after work every evening. Though most inmates typically use public transportation, some are even provided documentation to drive themselves to and from work.
Residents cannot attend social gatherings. However, they can participate in offsite religious services, programs that are part of their sentence (such as counseling or anger management programs), and even school if they secure approval first. Visits from family and friends are permitted on the weekends.
What is a Residential Re-Entry Center?
The Ocean View facility located south of the 94 is the home of the only work furlough program in San Diego. This location also offers a residential re-entry center. While many would assume a re-entry center must be a drug rehab clinic, it is a very similar program to work furlough. The difference between the two programs is that while work furlough is for people who already have jobs to be able to keep their jobs, a residential re-entry center is a program for people to find new jobs and start earning money while still serving the time on their sentence.
Residents are given 90 days to secure full-time work, or they will be returned to jail. Until they are employed, they must attend programming and job searches offered at the facility.
Who Qualifies for Work Furlough?
Not everyone qualifies for work furlough. Everyone who applies will be screened and approved or denied individually. “Anyone with a felony may need to call a defense lawyer like myself in order to apply,” says Liss.
Screeners in the San Diego County Probation Department will look at the applicant’s criminal history, sentencing recommendations, employment history, abuse history with drugs and alcohol, mental health, citizenship status, and whether or not the individual needs to provide financial support for their family.
When it comes to criminal history, having any of the following on your record will generally exclude you from the program:
- felony sale or transportation of large quantities of drugs
- sex offenses
- a crime that caused the loss of large quantities of money
Additional factors that may result in the rejection of your work furlough application include:
- a history of serious mental illness
- a recent history of serious drug addiction
- a history of violent behavior, weapon use, or assaults
- having more than 120 days left on your sentence
- not being a US citizen
What Jobs Can You Have Under Work Furlough?
While those admitted into the residential re-entry center do not need to have an existing job, those entering a California work furlough program must be gainfully employed at least 35 hours a week. These places of employment must:
- allow on-site and telephone checks
- be in San Diego County
- pay more than minimum wage
- cannot allow the inmate to use weapons
- cannot involve access to the personal information of other people
- cannot be directly related to the inmate’s criminal offense
- cannot require the employee to work over 72 hours a week
“While self-employment is permitted under San Diego’s work furlough program,” explains Liss, “I think it’s important to recognize that those participating must have a business license, 1099s, and an offsite office with a landline and bathroom.”
How Much Does Work Furlough Cost?
While the county used to charge inmates money to live in a work furlough facility rather than jail, this is no longer the case, and these programs are now provided free of cost.
What Rules Must You Follow While on Work Furlough?
Like other incarceration alternatives, those on work furlough must follow the rules outlined in their contract, or they can be sent back to jail. While each inmate may have additional rules applied to their agreements based on the specifics of the crime they were convicted of, they typically all must:
- be subjected to electronic monitoring or regular check-ins
- return to the residential facility before curfew
- refrain from using drugs or alcohol
- agree to submit to regular testing for drugs and alcohol
- attend mandatory counseling, therapy, vocational, or treatment programs as required
- no commit any new criminal offenses
If an inmate violates one of these rules, they will be returned to jail for the rest of their original sentence term. If they committed a new offense, they can be charged with the offense and be sentenced to additional time behind bars. “If you find yourself in this situation,” says Liss, “I can help.”
How Does Work Furlough Compare to House Arrest?
San Diego’s house arrest program, operated by CPAC (County Parole Alternative Custody), is typically preferable to work furlough because those serving on this program can go home after the work day rather than being forced to return to a residential facility. “Work furlough isn’t really feasible for my North County clients since the location is South San Diego, and my clients often must rely on public transport due to having their driver’s license suspended after a DUI,” says Peter Liss. He adds “I believe they should have a North County location available, but they don’t.”
Another benefit of serving time on house arrest rather than work furlough is the social aspect. With house arrest, you can see your loved ones every day. However, with work furlough, you can only see friends and family members when they visit your residential facility during weekend visitation hours.
“If you have been accused of a non-violent crime, such as drunk driving or misdemeanor drug sales, and are interested in participating in a California work release or work furlough program, I can help,” says Peter M. Liss. Please call (760) 643-4050 or (858) 486-3024 to schedule a free consultation.
