Who is ultimately responsible for inmates involved in a work release?

• A. The court
• B. The sheriff's office
• C. The mayor
• D. The county health department

Answer: (B)

Work release places inmates outside the facility for work but keeps them under custody and supervision. The agency that handles inmate supervision and jail operations is the sheriff’s office, which is responsible for the day-to-day custody, safety, transportation, and return of inmates in such programs. The court sets the sentence and conditions, but it’s the jail system run by the sheriff that carries out the supervision of inmates on work release. The mayor and county health department aren’t involved in custody or supervision of inmates.