Initial Furlough

(1) An inmate shall not be considered for an initial furlough unless he has met the eligibility and suitability requirements set forth in 103 CMR 463.07. (2) Each institution shall develop procedural requirements clearly stating when an inmate may apply for an initial furlough following the inmate's transfer or admission to that facility. Such requirements must be consistent with the eligibility criteria established in 103 CMR 463.07 and the security designation of that institution. (3) The process of considering an inmate for an initial furlough shall be as follows: (a) the institution furlough coordinator shall receive the inmate's application for a furlough. The institution furlough coordinator shall verify that the inmate is eligible for participation in the furlough program consistent with 103 CMR 463.07. The institution furlough coordinator shall verify that the inmate's furlough sponsor has been approved in accordance with 103 CMR 463.09; (b) the inmate's furloughapplication, alongwith a furlough authorization sheet, sponsor approval forms, the most recent institution classification board report, and any other accompanying documentation, shall be presented to the institution furlough panel by the institution furlough coordinator for the panel's recommendation of approval or denial, or approval with certain conditions, to the institution superintendent. (c) the institution superintendent shall review the recommendation of the institution furlough panel, the furlough application, and other accompanying documentation as outlined in 103 CMR 463.12(3)(b) and make a decision of approval, denial, or approval with certain conditions. The institution furlough coordinator shall forward the Superintendent's decision to the Central Furlough Unit. (d) the Central Furlough Unit shall review the furlough package for completeness and accuracy. The Central Furlough Unit shall present the inmate's furlough application and accompanying documentation to the Commissioner's furlough panel. The Commissioner's furlough panel shall review the inmate's applicationand make a recommendation to the Commissioner of approval or denial, or approval with certain condition. (e) The Commissioner, or his designee, shall review the recommendation of the Commissioner's furlough panel and make the final decision as to the approval or denial of the inmate's application for an initial furlough.