{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-37.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-37.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-37.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-37.html"}],"law_id":69536,"edition_id":1,"section_id":69536,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-37","catch_line":"Furloughs generally; travel expenses; penalties for violations","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 53-37.1; 1972, c. 59; 1973, c. 234; 1976, c. 476; 1982, c. 636; 1989, c. 652; 2003, c. 846; 2020, c. 759.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Director may extend the limits of confinement of any prisoner in any state correctional facility to permit him a furlough under the provisions of this section for the purpose of visiting his home or family. Such furlough shall be for a period to be prescribed by the Director or his designee, in his discretion, not to exceed three days in addition to authorized travel time. Except for furloughs permitted under subsection C, the time during which a prisoner is on furlough shall not be counted as time served against any sentence, and during any furlough, no earned sentence credits as defined in § 53.1-116, good conduct allowance, or any other reduction of sentence shall accrue. The Director shall promulgate rules and regulations governing extension of limits of confinement hereunder.B\n\nThe Director may, when feasible, require the prisoner or his relatives to bear the travel expense required for such visit or a prescribed portion thereof. Such travel expense shall include all amounts necessarily expended for travel, food and lodging of such prisoner and any accompanying personnel of the Department during such furlough, and a per diem amount set by the Director to reimburse the Department for furnishing custodial personnel.C\n\nThe Director may permit a prisoner a furlough when the prisoner has been approved for release on parole by the Parole Board and 30 days or less remain to be served by the prisoner prior to his date of release on parole. Such a furlough shall not exceed 30 days.D\n\nAny prisoner who willfully fails to remain within the limits of confinement set by the Director hereunder, or who willfully fails to return within the time prescribed to the place designated by the Director in granting such extension, shall be guilty of an escape and shall be subject to penalty as though he left the state correctional facility itself.E\n\nAny prisoner who without authority or just cause fails to remain within the limits of confinement set by the Director hereunder, or who without authority or just cause fails to return within the time prescribed to the place designated by the Director in granting such extension, shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.F\n\nFifteen days prior to a prisoner’s participation in the furlough program, the Director shall give the chief of police, sheriff or local chief law-enforcement official of the locality in which the prisoner will stay, notice of the prisoner’s participation. Such notice shall include the name, address and criminal history, and any additional information the chief of police or such officer may request. The transmission of information shall be confidential and not subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":251401,"text":"The Director may extend the limits of confinement of any prisoner in any state correctional facility to permit him a furlough under the provisions of this section for the purpose of visiting his home or family. Such furlough shall be for a period to be prescribed by the Director or his designee, in his discretion, not to exceed three days in addition to authorized travel time. Except for furloughs permitted under subsection C, the time during which a prisoner is on furlough shall not be counted as time served against any sentence, and during any furlough, no earned sentence credits as defined in § 53.1-116, good conduct allowance, or any other reduction of sentence shall accrue. The Director shall promulgate rules and regulations governing extension of limits of confinement hereunder.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":251402,"text":"The Director may, when feasible, require the prisoner or his relatives to bear the travel expense required for such visit or a prescribed portion thereof. Such travel expense shall include all amounts necessarily expended for travel, food and lodging of such prisoner and any accompanying personnel of the Department during such furlough, and a per diem amount set by the Director to reimburse the Department for furnishing custodial personnel.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":251403,"text":"The Director may permit a prisoner a furlough when the prisoner has been approved for release on parole by the Parole Board and 30 days or less remain to be served by the prisoner prior to his date of release on parole. Such a furlough shall not exceed 30 days.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":251404,"text":"Any prisoner who willfully fails to remain within the limits of confinement set by the Director hereunder, or who willfully fails to return within the time prescribed to the place designated by the Director in granting such extension, shall be guilty of an escape and shall be subject to penalty as though he left the state correctional facility itself.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":251405,"text":"Any prisoner who without authority or just cause fails to remain within the limits of confinement set by the Director hereunder, or who without authority or just cause fails to return within the time prescribed to the place designated by the Director in granting such extension, shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":251406,"text":"Fifteen days prior to a prisoner’s participation in the furlough program, the Director shall give the chief of police, sheriff or local chief law-enforcement official of the locality in which the prisoner will stay, notice of the prisoner’s participation. Such notice shall include the name, address and criminal history, and any additional information the chief of police or such officer may request. The transmission of information shall be confidential and not subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13575,"edition_id":1,"name":"Treatment and Privileges of Prisoners","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12718,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:17","permalink":{"id":237953,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13575,"identifier":"2","token":"53.1\/2\/2","url":"\/53.1\/2\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12718,"edition_id":1,"name":"State Correctional Facilities","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12717,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":237861,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12718,"identifier":"2","token":"53.1\/2","url":"\/53.1\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Prisons and Other Methods of Correction","identifier":"53.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":237591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12717,"identifier":"53.1","token":"53.1","url":"\/53.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":74229,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-32","catch_line":"Treatment and control of prisoners; recreation; religious services","url":"\/53.1-32\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-32","metadata":false},{"id":82202,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-32.01","catch_line":"Payment for bodily injury","url":"\/53.1-32.01\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-32.01","metadata":false},{"id":61447,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-32.1","catch_line":"Classification system; program assignments; mandatory participation","url":"\/53.1-32.1\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-32.1","metadata":false},{"id":54537,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-32.2","catch_line":"Reentry planning","url":"\/53.1-32.2\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-32.2","metadata":false},{"id":86821,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-33","catch_line":"Physical examination of prisoner; ability to work","url":"\/53.1-33\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-33","metadata":false},{"id":57204,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-33.1","catch_line":"Mandatory testing for human immunodeficiency virus","url":"\/53.1-33.1\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-33.1","metadata":false},{"id":78467,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-34","catch_line":"Treatment of prisoner with contagious disease","url":"\/53.1-34\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-34","metadata":false},{"id":85311,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-35","catch_line":"Correspondence privileges; receipt of publications","url":"\/53.1-35\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-35","metadata":false},{"id":63935,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-35.1","catch_line":"Electronic visitation and messaging with inmates","url":"\/53.1-35.1\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-35.1","metadata":false},{"id":79492,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-35.2","catch_line":"Visitation of certain prisoners by minor dependents","url":"\/53.1-35.2\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-35.2","metadata":false},{"id":60917,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-36","catch_line":"Prisoners may assist in medical research programs","url":"\/53.1-36\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-36","metadata":false},{"id":69536,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-37","catch_line":"Furloughs generally; travel expenses; penalties for violations","url":"\/53.1-37\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-37","metadata":false},{"id":56173,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-38","catch_line":"When ineligible for furloughs","url":"\/53.1-38\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-38","metadata":false},{"id":56191,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-39","catch_line":"Certain punishment of prisoners prohibited","url":"\/53.1-39\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-39","metadata":false},{"id":64457,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-39.1","catch_line":"Restrictive housing; data collection and reporting; report","url":"\/53.1-39.1\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-39.1","metadata":false},{"id":60777,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-39.2","catch_line":"Restorative housing; restrictions on use","url":"\/53.1-39.2\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-39.2","metadata":false},{"id":63340,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-39.3","catch_line":"Use of canines in state correctional facilities; prohibited acts; policies and regulations made public; incidents of use of canines reported; exception","url":"\/53.1-39.3\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-39.3","metadata":false},{"id":66970,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-40","catch_line":"Appointment of counsel for indigent prisoners","url":"\/53.1-40\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-40","metadata":false},{"id":72579,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-40.01","catch_line":"Conditional release of geriatric prisoners","url":"\/53.1-40.01\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-40.01","metadata":false},{"id":58640,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-40.02","catch_line":"Conditional release of terminally ill prisoners","url":"\/53.1-40.02\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-40.02","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":60917,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-36","catch_line":"Prisoners may assist in medical research programs","url":"\/53.1-36\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-36","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":56173,"structure_id":13575,"section_number":"53.1-38","catch_line":"When ineligible for furloughs","url":"\/53.1-38\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-38","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-37\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1972, chapter 59; in 1973, chapter 234; in 1976, chapter 476; in 1982, chapter 636; in 1989, chapter 652; in 2003, chapter 846<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 759<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":55569,"section_number":"2.2-3700","catch_line":"Short title; policy","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3700\/"},{"id":66213,"section_number":"53.1-116","catch_line":"What records and policy jailer shall keep; how time deducted or added for felons and misdemeanants; payment of fine and costs by person committed to jail until he pays","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-116\/"}],"permalink":{"id":237999,"object_type":"law","relational_id":69536,"identifier":"53.1-37","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-37","url":"\/53.1-37\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-37\/","token":"53.1\/2\/2\/53.1-37","dublin_core":{"Title":"Furloughs generally; travel expenses; penalties for violations","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-37","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Director<\/span> may extend the limits of confinement of any prisoner in any state correctional facility<\/span> to permit him a furlough under the provisions of this section for the purpose of visiting his home or family. Such furlough shall be for a period to be prescribed by the Director<\/span> or his designee, in his discretion, not to exceed three days in addition to authorized travel time. Except for furloughs permitted under subsection C, the time during which a prisoner is on furlough shall not be counted as time served against any sentence, and during any furlough, no earned sentence credits as defined in § 53.1-116<\/a>, good conduct allowance, or any other reduction of sentence shall accrue. The Director<\/span> shall promulgate rules and regulations governing extension of limits of confinement hereunder. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Director<\/span> may, when feasible, require the prisoner or his relatives to bear the travel expense required for such visit or a prescribed portion thereof. Such travel expense shall include all amounts necessarily expended for travel, food and lodging of such prisoner and any accompanying personnel of the Department<\/span> during such furlough, and a per diem amount set by the Director<\/span> to reimburse the Department<\/span> for furnishing custodial personnel. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Director<\/span> may permit a prisoner a furlough when the prisoner has been approved for release on parole<\/span> by the Parole<\/span> Board<\/span> and 30 days or less remain to be served by the prisoner prior to his date of release on parole<\/span>. Such a furlough shall not exceed 30 days. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any prisoner who willfully fails to remain within the limits of confinement set by the Director<\/span> hereunder, or who willfully fails to return within the time prescribed to the place designated by the Director<\/span> in granting such extension, shall be guilty of an escape and shall be subject to penalty<\/span> as though he left the state correctional facility<\/span> itself. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Any prisoner who without authority or just cause fails to remain within the limits of confinement set by the Director<\/span> hereunder, or who without authority or just cause fails to return within the time prescribed to the place designated by the Director<\/span> in granting such extension, shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Fifteen days prior to a prisoner’s participation in the furlough program, the Director<\/span> shall give the chief of police, sheriff or local chief law<\/span>-enforcement official of the locality in which the prisoner will stay<\/span>, notice of the prisoner’s participation. Such notice shall include the name, address and criminal history, and any additional information the chief of police or such officer may request. The transmission of information shall be confidential and not subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFURLOUGHS GENERALLY; TRAVEL EXPENSES; PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS (\u00a7 53.1-37)\n\nA. The Director may extend the limits of confinement of any prisoner in any\nstate correctional facility to permit him a furlough under the provisions of\nthis section for the purpose of visiting his home or family. Such furlough shall\nbe for a period to be prescribed by the Director or his designee, in his\ndiscretion, not to exceed three days in addition to authorized travel time.\nExcept for furloughs permitted under subsection C, the time during which a\nprisoner is on furlough shall not be counted as time served against any\nsentence, and during any furlough, no earned sentence credits as defined in\n§ 53.1-116, good conduct allowance, or any other reduction of sentence\nshall accrue. The Director shall promulgate rules and regulations governing\nextension of limits of confinement hereunder.\n\nB. The Director may, when feasible, require the prisoner or his relatives to\nbear the travel expense required for such visit or a prescribed portion thereof.\nSuch travel expense shall include all amounts necessarily expended for travel,\nfood and lodging of such prisoner and any accompanying personnel of the\nDepartment during such furlough, and a per diem amount set by the Director to\nreimburse the Department for furnishing custodial personnel.\n\nC. The Director may permit a prisoner a furlough when the prisoner has been\napproved for release on parole by the Parole Board and 30 days or less remain to\nbe served by the prisoner prior to his date of release on parole. Such a\nfurlough shall not exceed 30 days.\n\nD. Any prisoner who willfully fails to remain within the limits of confinement\nset by the Director hereunder, or who willfully fails to return within the time\nprescribed to the place designated by the Director in granting such extension,\nshall be guilty of an escape and shall be subject to penalty as though he left\nthe state correctional facility itself.\n\nE. Any prisoner who without authority or just cause fails to remain within the\nlimits of confinement set by the Director hereunder, or who without authority or\njust cause fails to return within the time prescribed to the place designated by\nthe Director in granting such extension, shall be guilty of a Class 2\nmisdemeanor.\n\nF. Fifteen days prior to a prisoner’s participation in the furlough\nprogram, the Director shall give the chief of police, sheriff or local chief\nlaw-enforcement official of the locality in which the prisoner will stay, notice\nof the prisoner’s participation. Such notice shall include the name,\naddress and criminal history, and any additional information the chief of police\nor such officer may request. The transmission of information shall be\nconfidential and not subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§\n2.2-3700 et seq.).\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 53-37.1; 1972, c. 59; 1973, c. 234; 1976, c. 476; 1982,\nc. 636; 1989, c. 652; 2003, c. 846; 2020, c. 759.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}