The warden or superintendent of any penal institution in which inmates committed to the custody of the commissioner have been assigned may authorize, without the prior written approval of the commissioner, emergency leave to an inmate when it is confirmed that there exists a serious illness or death in the inmate's immediate family and when notice and confirmation of the illness or death does not reach the warden or superintendent in time to authorize special leave in the manner provided in Code Section 42-5-81. Emergency leave cannot be granted under this Code section to any inmate who has been convicted of a sex offense, who has escaped or attempted to escape within 12 months preceding the emergency, who has not served sufficient time to demonstrate his responsibility and dependability, or who has an assaultive pattern determined to exist either from the nature of the offense for which he has been convicted or from conduct while incarcerated in the penal institution. The warden or superintendent granting the emergency leave must forward immediately a written report of the action to the commissioner.
(Ga. L. 1975, p. 898, § 2.)