The sheriff of the county may authorize the temporary removal under custody or temporary release without custody of any inmate of the county jail, honor farm, or other detention facility for family emergencies or for purposes preparatory to his return to the community, if the sheriff concludes that such inmate is a fit subject therefor. Any such temporary removal shall not be for a period of more than three days. When an inmate is released for purposes preparatory to his return to the community, the sheriff may require the inmate to reimburse the county, in whole or in part, for expenses incurred by the county in connection therewith.
Ca. Pen. Code § 4018.6