Yes, that's exactly what gitolite is for. Make a developers group:
@developers = <list of developers>
@releasers = <list of people allowed to push to release branch>
And then set up the access rules:
repo <reponame>
RW release = @releasers # allow @releasers access to release branch
- release = @developers # deny @developers access to release branch
RW master = @developers # allow @developers access to master branch
RW development = @developers # allow @developers access to development branch
- = @all # deny all other permissions
Or something more complicated as you see fit.