How often do prisoners get furloughs?

A furlough is not a right but a privilege granted a federal prison inmate under prescribed conditions. It is not a reward for good behavior, or a means to shorten a criminal sentence. A furlough is defined as “an authorized absence from a federal prison by an inmate who is not under escort of a staff member, U.S. Marshal, or state or federal agents”. Getting a furlough approved is a long shot, but not impossible. It doesn't happen often but they still do. The application process has to contain a reason for furlough such as “to re-establish family and community ties.” The other choices on the form are to attend a religious meeting, attend a court proceeding/hearing, receive special medical or dental care not offered in the prison facility, and to participate in special training or a work detail-but furlough must be approved and signed by the warden. Getting away from prison life to spend three days at home, eating home cooked meals, visiting with family, sleeping in a real bed instead of a steel slab covered with a plastic-coated mattress, taking a barefoot shower instead of with shower slides, and even holding a dollar bill and/or driving a car, could be three days in heaven.