Work Release
A court-approved arrangement that allows a person serving a jail sentence to leave jail during the day for work, school, or treatment.
Work release (also known as Huber privileges in Minnesota) is an arrangement where a person serving a jail sentence is allowed to leave the facility during certain hours. The person typically leaves in the morning, goes to work or school, and returns to the jail at the end of the day. The rest of the time, including nights and weekends, is spent in custody.
Work release is not automatic. The court or the jail must approve it. In Minnesota, the decision is governed by Minn. Stat. 631.425, which gives courts the authority to grant Huber privileges. Factors that affect approval include the type of offense, the person’s criminal history, and whether they have stable employment or are enrolled in school or treatment. Work release is more commonly granted for lower-level offenses, such as DUI or misdemeanor convictions.
The rules for work release are strict. You must follow a set schedule, go only to approved locations, and return to the jail on time. Many facilities require that your employer verify your work hours. If you violate the rules, such as not returning on time or going somewhere you were not approved to go, your work release can be revoked, and you will serve the rest of your sentence in custody without the privilege.
Why it matters: Losing a job because of a jail sentence can create a chain of problems: lost income, missed rent, and difficulty finding new work after release. Work release lets you keep your job and maintain some stability while serving your sentence. If you are facing jail time, asking about work release is one of the first things to discuss with your attorney.
Example: Chris is sentenced to 45 days in jail for a DUI conviction. He works as an electrician and would lose his job if he missed that much work. The court grants him Huber privileges. Chris reports to the county jail each evening by 7 PM and is released each morning at 5 AM to go to work. He serves his full sentence but keeps his job.
When you or someone you know is facing jail time and needs to keep a job