Work Furlough Program

The Work Furlough Program was started in 1966, where sentenced inmates were able to keep their current employment and only be incarcerated during their off hours.  Before being accepted to Work Furlough, each inmate had to be sentenced to county jail, with a recommendation from the Court for Work Furlough.  Applicants were reviewed at a weekly meeting of the Jail Classification Committee, County Parole Officer, Rehabilitation Officer, Honor Camp Commander and the Deputy Work Furlough Administrator.  Lt. Fred T. Hoover was the first Deputy Work Furlough Administrator and had a large part to do with it's inception and operation.  This program was one of the first of it's kind in the United States.

Employment was allowed in the surrounding counties: San Francisco, Santa Clara, Alameda and Marin.  The most common crimes committed by inmates admitted to the program were drunk driving, driving on a suspended license and non-support.  Sex offenders, arrests for assaultive behavior and use or sales of narcotics would most likely disqualify admission to the program. 

Inmates were required to pay for their room and board, which had several benefits to the County, the community and their families.  Remaining employed, inmates could pay their bills and send money home, which helped keep their families off the welfare rolls, in addition to reducing the Mail Jail population.  Work Furlough's capacity grew to about 110 inmates, who lived in several dorms of different sizes, which allowed for varied shifts that inmates might work.  There were a few trustees that also lived at the facility, who took care of janitorial, kitchen and laundry duties. 

Deputies assigned to Work Furlough had several additional duties, including being a counselor to 12 inmates and doing spot checks on inmates at their places of employment.  Most inmates followed the facility rules, because any violations could send them back to the Main Jail.  Each day inmates would punch in and out using a time stamp clock in the Front Office.  Each time card had where they worked and how long their travel time should be.  If they were going to work late, their employer had to call the Front Office Deputy.  A breathalyzer was on the counter in the Front Office and inmates were tested if the deputy felt they may have been drinking.  Each week, a few inmates were "rolled-up" and sent to the Main Jail for violations.    

The program started on March 1, 1966, at Honor Camp #2, at Coyote Point in San Mateo and on January 8, 1967, it was moved to a new, $225,000 facility, at 1580 Maple Street in Redwood City, with a population of about 40 inmates.   

In the early 1980's, the Women's Correctional Center was built next to Work Furlough.  It was not until 2009 that Women's Work Furlough was started.  It is run from WCC, but only had a capacity for a 14 inmates.

The Work Furlough Facility closed in the mid 1990's, as a cost saving measure and half of the building was converted to the Maple Street Homeless Shelter.

Men's Work Furlough Facility 1993

Front Office 1967