Prison Leave Permits: A Comprehensive Guide to Regular, Special, and Weekend Permits
Prison Leave Permits
Regular Leave Permits
These permits are part of the treatment and rehabilitation process for offenders (Article 25.2 EC).
- Eligibility: Available to second and third-grade prisoners who have served a quarter of their sentence and have good conduct (Article 154 RP).
- Duration: Up to 36 days per year for second-grade prisoners and 48 days for third-grade prisoners, divided into two semesters.
- Approval Process: Requires a report from the Management Centre and approval from the prison security court.
- Considerations: The report includes a review of the prisoner’s history, an interview, and an assessment of their social environment.
Special Leave Permits
These permits are granted for specific personal, family, or social obligations.
- Eligibility: Available to prisoners of all grades with a justified reason, such as a family emergency or significant life event.
- Duration: Typically granted for a few hours or as long as necessary.
- Approval Process: Requires approval from the Judge of Prison Supervision for first-grade prisoners or the Director of the Penitentiary for other grades.
- Security Measures: May involve security escorts or other precautions.
Weekend Leave Permits (3rd Grade Only)
Article 87 of the RP allows for weekend permits for third-grade prisoners.
- Duration: Typically from Friday afternoon to Monday morning, but may be adjusted based on individual circumstances.
- Approval Process: Proposed by the Management Board and approved by the Management Centre.
- Note: These permits are not deducted from regular leave allowances.
Legal Recourse Regarding Prison Leave Permit Decisions
Reform Resources
The LOPJ (Law on Judicial Power) allows for appeals against all decisions made by the Judge of Prison Monitoring (JVP).
Appeal Resources
The Provincial Courts handle appeals related to JVP decisions regarding sentence implementation and prison regime (Article 82.1.3 LOPJ, as amended by LO 7/1988).