Meaning & use
work release
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountablelegal
a program that allows prisoners to leave prison during the day to work at a job
Grammar: Often used with on: He is on work release. Also used before nouns: a work release program.
Patterns
- on work release
- a work release program
- be granted work release
He was allowed to take a job in town while on work release.
The state expanded its work release program to reduce reoffending.
She was granted work release after serving two years of her sentence.
noununcountablelegal
the official permission for a prisoner to take part in such a program
Grammar: Often used with get or grant: get work release.
Patterns
- get work release
- grant someone work release
Prisoners must meet strict conditions to get work release.
The judge granted him work release so he could support his family.
Common combinations
- on work release
- During the day he is on work release and returns to prison at night.
- work release program
- The county's work release program helps inmates find jobs.
- work release eligibility
- Good behavior is one factor in work release eligibility.
- grant work release
- The court may grant work release for non-violent offenders.
Synonyms and how they differ
- day release
- In British English, day release often refers to a prisoner or student being released during the day, but it is less common in US legal contexts.
- furlough
- A furlough is a temporary leave from prison for a specific reason, while work release is a regular arrangement for employment.
Word family
Commonly confused: work release or parole?
work release vs parole
Parole is early release from prison under supervision, while work release allows a prisoner to work outside during the day but return to custody.
Practice
What does "work release" mean in a legal context?
Choose one answer.
Work release is a prison program that lets inmates work outside during the day. The other options use 'release' in its general sense, not the legal prison meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “work release”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.