Sec. 12.02.19.04. Special Leave

A. An inmate may be authorized a special leave under the conditions in this regulation.

B. Special Leave-----8 Hours Per Day.

(1) An inmate classified to minimum security may be authorized special leave for a period not to exceed 8 hours per day for any of the following purposes:

(a) To attend a Maryland trade licensing examination, or to take a civil service examination, provided that the inmate is within 1 year of a release date;

(b) To attend an employment interview in Maryland, provided that a prospective employer initiates a written request to the inmate's case management specialist and the inmate is within 3 months of a release date;

(c) To attend an educational or vocational training interview or registration within Maryland provided that the inmate is within 3 months of a release date;

(d) To attend a short-term educational or vocational program in Maryland;

(e) To participate as a volunteer for a government agency in Maryland in an activity serving the general public;

(f) To participate in a community athletic league sponsored competition in Maryland as a member of an institutional team;

(g) To participate in civic activities in Maryland beneficial to the inmate or the community, or both, including activities such as Jaycees and civic or community speaking engagements.

(2) Special leave may not be used to allow the inmate to:

(a) Attend college; or

(b) Be tested for college.

C. Special Leave-----12 Hours Per Day.

(1) An inmate classified to prerelease security may be authorized special leave for a period not to exceed 12 hours per day for any of the following reasons:

(a) To attend a Maryland trade licensing examination, or to take a civil service examination;

(b) To attend an employment interview in Maryland, provided that a prospective employer initiates a request to the inmate's case management specialist;

(c) To attend an educational or vocational training interview or registration within Maryland;

(d) To attend a short-term educational or vocational program in Maryland;

(e) To participate as a volunteer for a government agency in Maryland in an activity serving the general public;

(f) To participate in a community athletic league sponsored competition in Maryland as a member of an institutional team;

(g) To participate in civic activities in Maryland beneficial to the inmate or the community, or both, including activities such as Jaycees and civic or community speaking engagements;

(h) To attend mental health or substance abuse treatment, or both, or to attend an interview for mental health or substance abuse treatment, or both, in Maryland when this treatment is not available in the Division.

(2) Special leave may not be used to allow the inmate to:

(a) Attend college; or

(b) Be tested for college.

D. Special Leave Approval Process.

(1) A warden shall ensure that each special leave is:

(a) Recommended for approval by a Division case management team;

(b) Reviewed and approved by the warden or the warden's designee; and

(c) Reviewed and approved by the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.

(2) Notwithstanding a provision of this regulation, the Commissioner and those the Commissioner authorizes shall retain the absolute discretion to modify, suspend, or terminate this program in whole or in part for a reason or no reason. Similarly, the Commissioner or designee shall retain the discretion to terminate the participation of an inmate in this program at any time for a reason or no reason.