Can Inmates Go To Funerals?

Can Inmates Go To Funerals?

When the loved one of an inmate dies there is no guarantee the inmate will be allowed to attend their funeral service, but in some cases it is possible. The decision typically depends as much on the inmate's standing in the judicial system as it does on the relationship of the inmate to the deceased. While each county jail, prison and federal facility has the final say in whether your inmate will be allowed to pay final respects in person, there are several things that are usually considered. The Relationship: It is highly unlikely that your inmate will ever be furloughed to attend the funeral of a personal friend, acquaintance or former co-worker. Setting up a furlough for an inmate to go to a funeral is complicated therefore reserved for close family connections. Losing a parent, sibling, child or spouse are the relationships considered for furlough. The Travel Distance: The majority of furloughs to funerals require guard escorts. In county jails and some federal camps, passes are sometimes given that do not require escorts, but for the most part they do. If your inmate is locked up many miles from where the funeral will be held, getting a furlough can be a problem. It doesn't matter if crossing a state line is involved, what is considered is the distance. The Cost: Your inmate will usually be expected to pay the costs for guards and transportation to the funeral and back. Family members often put their money together to pay the bill, which can be expensive. In most cases it must be paid before the inmate is allowed out of the gate to go. The Inmate’s Standing: If your inmate is considered a risk of any kind, he or she will not be allowed to attend the funeral, regardless of how much money is available for guard pay or how close a relationship the deceased had with the inmate. If the inmate is doing life without parole or is on death row, the chances of being allowed a furlough to go to a funeral are extremely small - most likely impossible. What makes it a stressful situation is that most funerals are held within a few days to a week of the person dying. Red tape in a prison or jail can mean delays. Get the information before it us needed, or call the prison or jail as soon as possible after a death to find out about the process for requesting a funeral furlough.