EXCLUSIVE: Balloon Boy Dad To Start Work Release This Weekend; Must Find Job
Feb. 4 2010, Published 2:30 p.m. ET
As Balloon Boy dad Richard Heene prepares to be released from jail this weekend, RadarOnline.com has learned more details about his 60 day work release program.
When the infamous reality star leaves Larimer County Detention Center in Colorado, he will enter their adjacent Alternative Sentencing Unit, which is basically a half-way home.
Richard Heene Visited In Jail By Wife
Heene will have to find gainful employment on his own, and pay a minimum $18 a day fee back to the facility while he is housed in the community style hall.
See Photos And Details Of Heene’s Jail House Home
A facility insider explained to RadarOnline.com: “It is no picnic and the rules are very strict but everybody wants to comply because it is not a lockdown facility like jail.
“He will have to have a job set-up and cannot work for himself while he is doing work release.
EXCLUSIVE: Deputies Told To Look Over Heene In Prison
“People entering the program leave at a set time in the morning and return at a set time at night.
“There are also mandatory drug testing that they have to go through regular check-ups to make sure they are actually at work.
“In addition, they have to show the staff their pay stubs and pay a minimum $18 daily fee which is on a sliding scale depending on how much they are earning.
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“While staying at the facility they have to clean the bathroom areas and their communal bunk and kitchen areas.
“It’s pretty strict and if you do not comply with the rules than you can be sent straight back to jail.”
So far, Heene has not had any problems while staying with the general prison population at Larimer County Detention Center.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Watch Heene’s Bizarre Short Movie
RadarOnline.com has learned that Heene has won over the prison officers and other inmates by pretty much keeping to himself.
He started his sentence on January 11, and was scheduled to be released six days early from his original 30 day sentence.
Under the 60 day work release program for every 15 days successfully completed he will be credited one day.
The insider added: “Everyone usually sticks to the rules and the living conditions are sparse but comfortable.
“Assignments are given out to those entering the program and any medications that people are using are checked-in and registered.
“There are females doing the program too but obviously they sleep in different areas while families are allowed to visit at set times too.
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“The types of jobs that people do can vary from office work to manual jobs and school is also offered as an alternative too.
“The reality is that everyone just wants Richard Heene to successfully complete his sentence and, so far, he has been doing just that.
“Work release is his final route to freedom and the majority of people do not screw it up – hardened criminals are not permitted to enter the work release program and the success rate is very high.”
Richard Heene, whose flying saucer balloon received national attention when it was thought his six-year-old son was inside, had been sentenced to 30 days in jail and another 60 days on work release program.
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Richard's wife Mayumi received four years probation and was sentenced to 20 days in jail.
EXCLUSIVE: Deputies Told To Look Over Heene In Prison
Their son, Falcon, was in their home while his parents told police and others he was missing, leading everyone to think the child was in the runaway balloon.
The husband and wife have already been hit with a $42,000 bill from local, state and federal agencies for their October stunt when they claimed their six-year-old son had crawled into a hot air balloon in their back yard and been whisked away into the sky.
