Burress bid for work-release from prison denied

Former New York Giants star Plaxico Burress, serving a two-year prison sentence on a gun charge, was denied permission to participate in a work-release program, authorities said Thursday.

Burress pleaded guilty in August to a gun charge after shooting himself in a nightclub. He began a two-year prison term on September 22.

The New York Department of Correctional Services denied his application for work-release because of the nature of his crime.

Burress, then a star receiver with the National Football League's New York Giants, was at a Manhattan night club when a gun he had tucked in the waistband of his trousers slipped down and discharged, wounding him in the leg.

His permit to carry the weapon - which was issued in Florida and not New York - had expired.

"At no time did you report this incident to local law enforcement. As such, it is determined that you must serve a greater portion of your sentence prior to consideration for potential participation in the temporary release program," the ruling said.

Burress applied for work-release, which would have allowed him to spend some portion of his sentence at home, on November 25.

It's not surprising that he was denied, as fewer than five persent of the more than 31,500 work-release applications in 2008 were granted.

Burress can appeal, and can reapply in six months.

Burress pleaded guilty to one count of attempted criminal weapons possession and agreed to the two-year sentence with two years of supervision upon release.

With time off for good behavior, Burress is likely to serve 20 months and could be released as early as spring of 2011.

The Giants released Burress in April, but the 32-year-old told ESPN in August that he hopes to resume his NFL career when he completes his sentence.

Burress is suspended by the NFL, but the league said he will be reinstated after he completes his prison sentence.

Burress caught the winning touchdown pass in the closing seconds of the Super Bowl in February 2008 when the Giants defeated a New England Patriots team that hadn't lost a game all season.