Work Release at Huron County Jail: What Your Loved One Needs to Know

Work release at Huron County Jail is a privilege, not a right. The jail can remove anyone from the program for violating facility rules - any violation. Help your loved one plan ahead, because once they're in, mistakes have real consequences. Missing a return time isn't a minor slip-up.

The program fee is $15 per day, due one week in advance. Late payment can hold up participation, so build that weekly cost into your planning from the start.

Work release isn't "go to work whenever you're scheduled." Participants can work up to six days per week, but they must spend at least one full 24-hour day in jail each week. Even on work days, they're required to be in jail for a minimum of 12 hours. The work schedule has to be approved before they start. Any changes - different hours, a shift swap, a new start time - need re-approval. Treat the approved schedule as the only schedule. Last-minute changes can create problems if they're not cleared first.

• ✓ Work up to 6 days/week, but still spend at least 1 full 24-hour day in jail each week
• ✓ Spend a minimum of 12 hours per day in jail
• ✓ Get the schedule approved before starting, and get any changes re-approved

Travel rules are strict. Your loved one must take the most direct route to and from work - no detours. They can only be at jail, at work, or traveling between the two. Any other stop requires pre-approval from correctional staff. If you're helping with rides, plan around "direct route only." No quick errands.

1. Map the most direct route - plan the simplest path between the jail and the job site and stick to it.
2. Ask for pre-approval before any stop - if a stop is unavoidable, get it approved by correctional staff ahead of time.
3. Keep work timing consistent - avoid unapproved shift changes that could put them off the expected route or timeline.
4. Return directly after the shift - no detours; go straight back once work is done.

Your loved one may need to pass a drug test before starting work release. The jail also tightly controls what they can bring back inside after work. Nothing comes in unless it's approved by correctional staff. Cellphones, smartwatches, tobacco, and tobacco alternatives are specifically prohibited unless cleared ahead of time. If they carry any of these for work, make sure there's a plan that matches what the jail allows.

• ✓ Cellphones (unless approved by correctional staff)
• ✓ Smartwatches (unless approved by correctional staff)
• ✓ Tobacco or tobacco alternatives (unless approved by correctional staff)

Breaking work release rules has serious consequences. Failing to return from work isn't treated as a rule violation - Huron County Jail treats it as an escape. Beyond that, any violation of jail rules can get someone removed from the program entirely. The best way to support someone on work release? Structure. A reliable ride, a predictable routine, and zero unplanned changes.