486                              LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [CH. 285

CHAPTER 285
(Senate Bill 564)

AN ACT to add new Section 700A to Article 27 of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1962 Supplement), title "Crimes and Punish-
ments", sub-title "III. Places of Reformation and Punishment",
subheading "Department of Correction—Prisoners", to follow im-
mediately after Section 700 thereof, providing for the establish-
ment and administration of a "work release" program by the De-
partment of Correction for certain prisoners confined in institu-
tions under its jurisdiction.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Section 700A be and it is hereby added to Article 27 of the
Annotated Code of Maryland (1962 Supplement), title "Crimes and
Punishments", sub-title "III. Places of Reformation and Punish-
ment", subheading "Department of Correction—Prisoners", to follow
immediately after Section 700 thereof, and to read as follows:

700 A.

(a)   The Department of Correction is authorized and directed to
establish a "work release" program under which prisoners sentenced
to terms of not more than five years in an institution under the juris-
diction of said Department may be granted the privilege of leaving
actual confinement during necessary and reasonable hours for the
purpose of working at gainful private employment in this State.
Such program may also include, under appropriate conditions, re-
lease for the purpose of seeking such employment.

(b)  A prisoner eligible to participate in the "work release" pro-
gram in accordance with the preceding subsection may make appli-
cation to the Warden or Superintendent of the institution in which
he is confined for permission to participate in such program. The ap-
plication shall include a statement by the prisoner that he agrees to
abide by all terms and conditions of the particular plan adopted for
him by the Commissioner of Correction if such application is ap-
proved, shall state the name and address of the proposed employer,
if any, and shall contain such other information as the Department
or the Commissioner may require. The Warden or Superintendent
may, in his discretion, recommend such application to the Commis-
sioner. The Commissioner may approve, disapprove, or defer action
on said recommendation. In the event of approval the Commissioner
shall adopt a "work release plan" for such prisoner which shall con-
tain such terms and conditions as may be necessary and proper;
and such plan shall be signed by the prisoner prior to his participa-
tion in the program. At any time after approval has been granted, it
may be revoked for any reason by the Commissioner.

(c)   The Department shall designate and adopt facilities in the in-
stitutions and camps under its jurisdiction for the housing of prison-
ers granted "work release" privileges. In areas where such facilities
are not within reasonable proximity of the place of employment of a
prisoner so released, the Department may contract with the proper
authorities of political subdivisions of this State for the quartering
of such prisoner in suitable local confinement facilities. In the "work
release" plan of any prisoner, the Commissioner shall include as a