The truth is, we only hear about the inmates who don't return from furlough.   We don't hear about all the many, many inmates who return when they're supposed to because it's not "news."   The furlough program is worthwhile for all the things inmates need to do to prepare for a productive life once they leave prison.   It's only the failures that we hear about.

And, btw, having the prison system under federal supervision is not really a good thing, especially with the doj now under jeff sessions.   With his policies, prisons are likely to grow even more overcrowded, with more resulting problems.