Sentencing and release
Earned time for rehabilitation: U.S. states, federal, and Georgia
Earned-time and program-credit systems in U.S. states, the federal system and Georgia.
Where this research is used
This page is a research collection: individual facts drawn from the sources listed further down, each traced to where it came from. A research topic brings many collections together into one overview of an issue. The facts on this page feed these 4 topics; open one to see how they fit with the rest of the evidence.
Parole & Sentencing
Georgia's parole system is a discretionary clemency power, not a release schedule, and the record shows it has become steadily stingier: the lifer grant rate fell from 21.9 percent in fiscal years 2001–2006 to 5.8 percent in fiscal years 2022–2025, and overall parole releases dropped 42 percent between fiscal years 2019 and 2024. Meanwhile the statutory floor for parole eligibility for the state's most serious offenses rose from seven years to fourteen and then to thirty, and average time served on a life sentence climbed from under nine years in 1973 to 29.6 years in fiscal year 2025. The consequence is a growing population of aging, parole-eligible people who remain incarcerated while more than half of all releases now come at the expiration of a sentence rather than through the parole board.
15,260 data points
Policy & Advocacy
Georgia has passed criminal justice reform in bursts — 2012, 2017, 2025 — while repeatedly declining the structural changes that its own study committees and the U.S. Department of Justice identified as necessary. This page maps the enacted record, the proposals GPS and allied advocates have advanced, the cost models attached to them, and the 2026 electoral field, using the figures each source actually reports.
8,846 data points
Recidivism & Reentry
Georgia reports one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country — 25 to 27 percent — but that figure counts only new felony convictions within three years, ignores technical violations of supervision, and removes people who die during the window. National data that count arrests over longer periods, and Georgia's own rising reconviction series, tell a different story: the state's three-year felony reconviction rate reached 30.7 percent for the fiscal year 2022 release cohort, the highest in its published 2011–2022 series. What separates the people who come back from those who do not is largely age, whether they completed programming, and whether anyone meets them at the gate with more than $25 and a bus ticket.
13,511 data points
Reform Models & Programs
Georgia's own reconviction data show that people who complete vocational, educational, or cognitive programming return to prison at lower rates than the general prison population — vocational completers at 13.64 percent against a 26.06 percent baseline in the fiscal 2021 release cohort. A deep national evidence base backs that pattern: RAND found correctional education participants had 43 percent lower odds of recidivating and roughly $4 to $5 returned per dollar spent. Yet Georgia's statewide vocational education budget is $172,000, a university prison program was shut down in 2024, and the U.S. Department of Justice found programming had been 'slashed rather than expanded.' The distance between what the evidence supports and what the department delivers is the defining fact of Georgia's reform landscape.
14,390 data points
Key Findings
The most impactful data from this research collection. Tap a card for the full finding and its source.
The finding
In Louisiana, the number of releasing individuals who earned Certified Treatment and Rehabilitation Program (CTRP) credit in 2023 was 5,185.
The finding
Illinois's MGT Push program resulted in the earlier release of hundreds of inmates, including more than 100 serving sentences for violent offenses, after as few as 11 days in DOC custody, contrary to the department's historical practice of requiring at least 60 days before awarding Meritorious Good Time credit.
The finding
Pew's 'Max Out' report cites research finding that in New Jersey, inmates released to parole supervision before their sentences expired were 36 percent less likely to return to prison, even when controlling for risk factors such as prior record, than inmates who maxed out.
Source
The finding
Pew found that between 1990 and 2012, the number of inmates who maxed out their sentences in prison grew 119 percent, from fewer than 50,000 to more than 100,000.
Source
The finding
RAND's meta-analysis found that, on average, inmates who participated in correctional education programs had 43 percent lower odds of recidivating than inmates who did not, translating into a reduction in the risk of recidivating of 13 percentage points.
The finding
Between fiscal years 2022 and 2024, 24 percent (9,819 of 41,548) of inmates who received FSA time credits resulting in their early release from BOP custody had not completed a single FSA program.
The finding
The Pennsylvania DOC's Recidivism Report table of recent program evaluations lists the Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive (RRRI), evaluated in January 2018, as reducing recidivism by 15.5 to 20.4 percent.
Source
The finding
DOJ's findings report on Georgia prisons states that staffing levels vary across the prisons, with correctional officer (CO) vacancy rates around 50% systemwide and over 70% at ten of the largest facilities.
The finding
DOJ's findings report on Georgia prisons states that in December 2023, 18 GDC prisons had CO vacancy rates over 60%, and 10 of those were over 70%.
The finding
The BOP used $258.7 million in FSA funds to reimburse itself for providing inmates with free telephone calls without clear authority to do so.
The finding
GDC's 3,017 FY2018 GEDs were 28% of all GEDs awarded in the state of Georgia.
The finding
The U.S. Department of Justice's investigation found that between January and April 2022, 26.8% of all people released from Louisiana DPSC/LDOC custody were overdetained, and in that four-month period the cost of overdetention to LDOC was at least $850,000.
The finding
Based on Alabama's previous good-time law, a perfectly behaved incarcerated individual could be expected to earn 1,350 days of incentive time; under the newly enacted structure, the same inmate would earn just 225 days of incentive time in two years.
The finding
In FY2018, 55,989 inmates enrolled in Cognitive Programming courses and there were 37,099 completions in 13 different Cognitive Programming courses.
The finding
The governor's investigative report found that over 13 years the Washington State Department of Corrections had been releasing certain prison inmates earlier than their sentences allowed, and on December 22, 2015, Governor Inslee notified the public that DOC had erroneously released more than 3,000 inmates earlier than they should have been released.
The finding
The prisoner in the Fifth Circuit case had, as of October 15, 2024, accrued 1,205 program days and 570 FSA time credits, of which 365 were applied to reduce his release date.
The finding
CDCR found that the three-year conviction rate for individuals with Proposition 57 enhanced credit earnings (35.8 percent) was 8.2 percentage points lower than the rate for individuals with no enhanced credit earnings (44.0 percent), with the credit-earner rate having decreased by 3.4 percentage points from 39.2 percent between release cohorts.
The finding
In BOP's general male recidivism tool, 9.6 percent of those rated as minimum-risk recidivated during the three-year follow-up period, compared to 77.5 percent in the high-risk group.
The finding
GDC's FY2021 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Facilities section reports an ENROLLMENTS figure of 1,586 and an 89% COMPLETION RATE.
The finding
Two of the roughly 3,200 Washington inmates released by mistake due to the sentence calculation error were linked to killings: one arrested in a fatal shooting and another charged with vehicular homicide.
The finding
Pew's Georgia Public Safety Reform brief states that since 1990 Georgia's prison population more than doubled to nearly 56,000 inmates, and the state spends more than $1 billion annually on corrections.
Source
The finding
In FY2022, GDC's Career, Technical and Higher Education program exceeded its goal of 25,000 career completions by more than 16.3%, for a total of 29,091 certificates achieved.
All Data Points
500 verified data points extracted from primary sources.
New Hampshire: 90-day reduction for High School Equivalency Certificate Legal fact
New Hampshire's earned time credits statute (RSA 651-A:22-a) provides a one-time 90-day reduction in both the minimum and maximum sentence for successful completion of a High School Equivalency Certificate.
First Step Act time credit earning rate Legal fact
The First Step Act of 2018 provides eligible inmates the opportunity to earn 10 to 15 days of time credits for every 30 days of successful participation in Evidence Based Recidivism Reduction Programs and Productive Activities.
North Carolina Justice Reinvestment Act sponsors Legal fact
North Carolina's Justice Reinvestment Act was sponsored by, among others, Rep. Alice Bordsen (D-Alamance) and Rep. Earline Parmon (D-Forsyth).
Federal First Step Act: 5 days credit per 30 days for low-risk prisoners Legal fact
Under the First Step Act, a federal prisoner determined by the Bureau of Prisons to be at minimum or low risk for recidivating, who has not increased their risk over two consecutive assessments, shall earn an additional 5 days of time credits for every 30 days of successful participation in evidence-based recidivism reduction programming or productive activities.
Oregon earned time credit cap at 20 percent of total term Legal fact
Oregon's statute on reduction in term of incarceration provides time credits for appropriate institutional behavior or participation in the adult basic skills development program, and caps the maximum amount of such time credits at not more than 20 percent of the total term of incarceration.
Arkansas meritorious good time cap Policy
Arkansas DOC policy defines meritorious good time as a reduction in an inmate's parole or transfer eligibility date of up to 30 days for each month incarcerated after imposition of sentence, but meritorious good time shall under no circumstances reduce an inmate's time served by more than one-half of the percentage required by law for transfer eligibility.
South Carolina S. 1154 projected to reduce prison bed need by 1,786 over five years Statistic
The Pew Center on the States' Public Safety Performance Project reported that South Carolina's S. 1154, the Omnibus Crime Reduction and Sentencing Reform Act of 2010, was the result of more than a year of work by the South Carolina Sentencing Reform Commission, and that the Act reduces the need to build and operate new prison beds during the next five years by 1,786.
1,786 prison beds
California, West Virginia, Wyoming most expansive credit earners Finding
The Vera Institute's national survey found that California, West Virginia, and Wyoming offer the most expansive time credit-earning opportunities, significantly exceeding the 15 percent federal suggested cap.
Tennessee: sentence credits revocable only for Class A disciplinary offenses Legal fact
Tennessee Code § 41-21-236(a)(5)(A) provides that an inmate may be deprived of previously awarded sentence credits only for commission of a major infraction designated by the department as a Class A disciplinary offense, including but not limited to rape, arson, riot, escape, assault with a deadly weapon, or refusal to participate in an assignment.
Connecticut RREC lump-sum award cap Legal fact
Connecticut's Risk Reduction Earned Credit (RREC) program allows inmates earning less than five days per month to receive a lump-sum award not to exceed the statutory maximum of 120 days for a two-year period, awarded once every 24 months if they have not been disciplined and meet other criteria.
O.C.G.A. § 42-5-100 bars pre-1984 earned-time allowances for post-1983 crimes Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-5-100 provides that earned-time allowances the Board could have awarded to inmates, in effect on December 31, 1983, do not apply to persons who commit crimes on or after January 1, 1984 and are subsequently sentenced to the custody of the board.
Virginia earned sentence credit program since 1995 Policy
The Virginia earned sentence credit program has made it possible for some people incarcerated in Virginia to earn their release since 1995, and when Virginia lawmakers passed a law in 2020 increasing how many credits people can earn, the change was expected to impact thousands of people incarcerated in VDOC facilities.
FY2022 high school graduates and cumulative diplomas via Foothills Education Charter High School Statistic
In FY2022, 49 high school attendees graduated, and since the program's inception in 2015 a total of 410 high school diplomas have been awarded by GDC through Foothills Education Charter High School.
49 graduates vs. 410 cumulative diplomas since 2015
Illinois first-degree murder and terrorism convictions ineligible for sentence credit Legal fact
Under Illinois's sentence-credit statute, a prisoner serving a term of imprisonment for first degree murder or for the offense of terrorism shall receive no sentence credit and shall serve the entire sentence imposed by the court.
Massachusetts earned deductions under NCSL chart Legal fact
NCSL's 50-state chart lists Massachusetts's earned deductions under 127 §129C and §129D as 2½ days per month served in a prison camp for good time, plus 7.5 or 5 days per month depending on incarceration location for education, vocation, treatment, work and meritorious categories, with total credits from those categories not to exceed 15 or 10 days per month depending on incarceration location.
PIC eligibility: no death or life sentence Policy
GDC's Performance Incentive Credit fact sheet lists eligibility requirements including that the offender 'Must not be under death sentence or serving life sentence.'
Average length of stay rose 36% from 1990 to 2009 Statistic
Pew found that the average length of stay for offenders released from prison in reporting states rose by 36 percent between 1990 and 2009, with offenders released in 2009 serving an average of almost three years in custody, nine months or 36 percent longer than offenders released in 1990.
36%
PIC program: up to 6 months credit via Re-Entry case plan completion Policy
GDC's PIC program document states that offenders can earn one point for completing all activities within a category in the Re-Entry case plan, and as offenders complete 100% of all categories of their Re-Entry case plan, they may earn 6 points, i.e., up to 6 months credit via case-plan completion.
South Dakota discharge credits Legal fact
South Dakota law allows incarcerated individuals to earn up to 90 days of discharge credits for each program completion and up to 90 days for 365 hours of satisfactory work, not to exceed 180 days of discharge credits.
BOP policy: FSA time credits rescinded if person declines waitlisted program Policy
BOP's time credits program statement clarified that if an incarcerated person refuses or declines to participate in the recommended program or activity for which the person had been on a waitlist, any First Step Act time credits earned will be rescinded to reflect the person's refusal.
New Hampshire: 120-day reduction for High School Diploma Legal fact
New Hampshire's earned time credits statute provides a one-time 120-day reduction in both the minimum and maximum sentence for successful completion of a High School Diploma.
BOP Director discretion for up to 12 months of credits Legal fact
At the BOP Director's discretion, up to 12 months of First Step Act time credits can be applied toward earlier placement in pre-release custody, such as Residential Reentry Centers and Home Confinement.
Federal First Step Act: written notice required before reducing time credits Legal fact
Under the First Step Act, any reduction of a federal prisoner's time credits for a rule violation must be preceded by written notice to the prisoner, is limited to time credits already earned as of the violation date, and cannot include future time credits.
Oregon time credits cannot shorten confinement below six months Legal fact
Oregon's statute on reduction in term of incarceration provides that time credits may not be used to shorten the term of actual prison confinement to less than six months.
Arkansas Protect Arkansas Act sentencing proportions Finding
Arkansas DOC's population forecast states that Act 659, known as the Protect Arkansas Act, will increase proportions of time served in prison for selected felony offenses to either 100% or 85% of total sentence, whereas offenders in these categories were previously serving 70% of total sentences, 1/2 of total sentence minus applicable goodtime, or 1/3 of sentence.
Highlighted states all exceed 15% sentence reduction Finding
The Vera Institute's national survey found that the highlighted states span high-percentage reductions, monthly accrual systems, tiered classifications, and blended program-based models, yet all provide meaningful opportunities for eligible people to reduce their sentences by more than 15 percent.
Tennessee: credits affect parole eligibility, not sentence expiration, for post-July 2024 offenses Legal fact
Tennessee Code § 41-21-236(b)(3) states that for sentences of more than two years for offenses committed on or after July 1, 2024, sentence reduction credits shall affect eligibility for release on parole and shall not alter the sentence expiration date.
Delaware good time for program participation Legal fact
Delaware law provides that 'good time' may be earned by participation in education, rehabilitation, work, or other programs designated by the Commissioner, awarded at a rate of up to 10 days per calendar month; for offenders sentenced on or after August 8, 2012, up to 60 days of additional good time may be awarded for successful completion of an approved program.
Source
O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7(b)(1) county-jail earned time up to one-half of confinement Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7(b)(1) allows a sheriff, chief jailer, warden, or other county-designated custodian of county inmates to award earned time allowances based on institutional behavior, not exceeding one-half of the period of confinement imposed, with up to four days' credit per day of work on an authorized work detail (with exceptions for certain DUI, misdemeanor of high and aggravated nature, or family-violence offenses).
Virginia re-arrest rate range since FY2007 Statistic
The Virginia State Crime Commission's presentation on Earned Sentence Credits reported that Virginia's re-arrest rate for State Responsible releases has remained consistent since FY2007, ranging from 53.4% to 57.3%.
53.4% vs. 57.3 upper bound of re-arrest rate range
FY2022 RSAT enrollments, completions, and completion rate Statistic
GDC's FY2022 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Facilities section reports 2,078 enrollments, 1,573 completions, and an 89% overall completion rate.
2,078 enrollments vs. 1,573 completions
Illinois prior IDOC policy held short-term offenders at least 61 days before MGT release Policy
The Illinois gubernatorial review found that under prior IDOC policy, short-term offenders awarded Meritorious/Supplemental Good Time remained in IDOC for a period not less than 61 days, until a new procedure implemented on August 31, 2009 began processing and releasing them from Reception and Classification centers instead.
Connecticut good time under §18-98a et seq. and §18-7a Legal fact
NCSL's chart lists Connecticut's good time under §18-98a et seq. and §18-7a as 10 days per month for the first 5 years of sentence, then 12 days per month, with up to 5 days per month for accountability plan activity.
Louisiana program-credit exclusions for sex/violent offenses Legal fact
Under Louisiana's program-credit law, an offender is excluded from earning additional good time for certified treatment and rehabilitation program participation if the instant offense is a sex offense, or a crime of violence where the offender has more than one prior conviction of a crime of violence or a sex offense.
PIC eligibility: sentence longer than two years Policy
GDC's PIC fact sheet requires that the offender 'Must have sentence length of more than two years.'
70% of incarcerated adults wanted to enroll in academic programs Statistic
NCES's PIAAC 2014 survey found that over two-thirds (70 percent) of incarcerated adults reported that they wanted to enroll in an academic class or program.
70%
Louisiana: 5,185 releasing individuals earned CTRP credit in 2023 Statistic
In Louisiana, the number of releasing individuals who earned Certified Treatment and Rehabilitation Program (CTRP) credit in 2023 was 5,185.
5,185 people
HB 894 Georgia Second Look Act sponsors and purpose Finding
Georgia House Bill 894, 'Georgia Second Look Act; enact,' lists Scott Holcomb (101st District) and Shaw Blackmon (146th District) as sponsors, and its First Reader Summary describes it as 'A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to procedure for sentencing and imposition of punishment, so as to authorize the sentencing court to review and resentence certain cases where the punishment of life without parole was imposed.'
Vermont reduced credit for residential substance abuse treatment Legal fact
In Vermont, an incarcerated individual receiving post-adjudication treatment for a substance abuse disorder in a residential setting is not eligible for the ordinary seven-day monthly reduction but earns a one-day reduction on the minimum sentence.
BOP released over 35,000 people from federal prisons in 2021 Statistic
In 2021, the Federal Bureau of Prisons released over 35,000 people from federal prisons in the U.S. after serving their sentences.
35,000 people released
New Hampshire: 180-day reduction for Associate's Degree Legal fact
New Hampshire's earned time credits statute provides a one-time 180-day reduction in both the minimum and maximum sentence for successful completion of an Associate's Degree.
NC risk reduction incentives authorization Legal fact
Under North Carolina's Justice Reinvestment Act, the Department of Correction is authorized to create risk reduction incentives consisting of treatment, education, and rehabilitative programs designed to reduce the likelihood that the prisoner who receives the incentive will reoffend; a court may include a risk reduction incentive in sentencing an eligible defendant to an active sentence, and if the defendant completes the risk reduction incentives identified by the Department, the defendant will be released on the Advanced Supervised Release date.
Federal First Step Act: procedure to restore lost time credits Legal fact
Under the First Step Act, the BOP Director must develop a procedure to restore time credits a prisoner lost due to a rule violation, based on the prisoner's individual progress after the violation.
Oregon evaluation finds earned time variation does not affect recidivism Finding
Oregon's Criminal Justice Commission evaluation of changes to earned time awards found that in each regression model the coefficient was statistically insignificant, supporting the conclusion that earned time variation does not affect recidivism; this confirmed Chi Squared Analysis findings where a majority of tests showed no difference in recidivism rates across earned time groups.
Arkansas Protect Arkansas Act projected impact Statistic
Arkansas DOC's population forecast projects a "Total Projected Impact" of 2,902 additional person-years of imprisonment from the Protect Arkansas Act's new felony sentencing categories.
2,902 person-years
Texas: up to 15 days good conduct time per 30 days for program participation Legal fact
Under Texas Government Code § 498.003(d), an inmate may accrue good conduct time, in an amount determined by the department not to exceed 15 days for each 30 days actually served, for diligent participation in an industrial or other work program or in an agricultural, educational, or vocational program provided by the department.
Delaware 180-day annual good time cap Legal fact
Delaware law caps total 'good time' earned, including program participation credit, at no more than 180 days in any 1 year consisting of 365 days actually served, and good time credits must be applied such that the resulting release date is not prior to the effective completion date of the offender's approved program.
Source
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-52(b) authorizes earned time on parole Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-52(b) authorizes the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to adopt rules for granting earned time to persons while serving their sentences on parole or other conditional release, to the same extent as if serving the sentence in custody, and to withhold or forfeit such earned-time allowance.
Virginia re-conviction rate range since FY2007 Statistic
The Virginia State Crime Commission reported that Virginia's re-conviction rate for State Responsible releases has remained consistent since FY2007, ranging from 42.3% to 48.6%.
42.3% vs. 48.6 upper bound of re-conviction rate range
FY2022 Family Reunification Program graduates and Narcan kit distribution Statistic
In FY2022, GDC's Family Reunification Program, a wraparound service under the RSAT Program, had 25 graduates return to their families and the community, and 300 Narcan kits were distributed to participants who successfully completed RSAT programs.
25 graduates vs. 300 Narcan kits distributed
Illinois gubernatorial review: MGT Push was a mistake Finding
The official Illinois review commissioned by Governor Pat Quinn concluded that the MGT Push program was a mistake, that although focused on reducing costs during a fiscal crisis, it failed to accomplish the overriding goals of the State's Code of Corrections of protecting the public's safety and restoring inmates to useful citizenship.
Indiana earned credit under §35-50-6-3.1 and §35-50-6-3.3 Legal fact
NCSL's chart lists Indiana's earned credit under §35-50-6-3.1 and §35-50-6-3.3 as including up to 6 months for a GED and up to 1 year for a high school diploma, with total credits in the education/vocation/treatment/meritorious categories not to exceed the lesser of 2 years or 1/3 of sentence.
Louisiana 90-day degree credit Legal fact
Louisiana's program-credit statute allows otherwise eligible offenders who earn a bachelor's or associate's degree, or a master's degree, from a regionally accredited and department-approved educational institution while incarcerated to earn an additional 90 days of credit toward reduction of the projected good time parole supervision date for each degree.
PIC eligibility: no non-parole-eligible offense Policy
GDC's PIC fact sheet requires that the offender 'Must not be serving a sentence with a non-parole eligible offense.'
25% of those wanting academic enrollment were on waiting lists Statistic
Among incarcerated adults who wanted to enroll in academic classes or programs, 25 percent were on a waiting list for academic classes or programs of study in 2014.
25%
Louisiana: average CTRP days earned by releasing individuals in 2023 was 227.9 days Statistic
In Louisiana, the average number of CTRP (Certified Treatment and Rehabilitation Program) days earned by releasing individuals in 2023 was 227.9 days.
227.9 days
GA SB586 title: parole procedures when denied after prerequisites Finding
A Georgia bill tracked as GA SB586 is titled 'Grants of Pardons, Paroles, and Other Relief; procedures when a person is denied parole after completing certain prerequisites; provide.'
Source
New Hampshire one-time 60-day reduction Legal fact
New Hampshire law provides a one-time 60-day sentence reduction for participation in vocational programming or other approved rehabilitative activities.
Approximately 45% of federal releasees re-arrested or returned within 3 years Statistic
According to BOP, approximately 45 percent of people released from federal prison are re-arrested or return to a federal prison within 3 years of their release.
45%
New Hampshire: 60-day reduction for vocational program completion Legal fact
New Hampshire's earned time credits statute entitles a prisoner who successfully completes an approved vocational program to a one-time 60-day reduction in both the minimum and maximum sentence.
BOP final rule subpart structure for FSA Time Credits Legal fact
BOP's First Step Act time-credits final rule added a new subpart titled First Step Act Time Credits, containing sections 523.40 Purpose, 523.41 Definitions, 523.42 Earning First Step Act Time Credits, 523.43 Loss of FSA Time Credits, and 523.44 Application of FSA Time Credits.
NC Earned Time Sentence Credits monthly cap Policy
North Carolina DPS Prisons policy states that eligible offenders serving felon sentences shall not be awarded or receive more than a total of nine days Earned Time Sentence Credits per month, and total credit awards are applied to reduce the offender's maximum sentence and shall not reduce a felon offender's incarceration period below his or her minimum sentence imposed by the court.
Source
BOP DCEGT cap: 150 days for Literacy/GED program Policy
BOP's DCEGT table caps educational good time credit for completing a Literacy/General Educational Development (GED) program at 150 days, based on a program enrollment of 30 months.
Pennsylvania RRRI minimum is three-fourths or five-sixths of minimum sentence Legal fact
Pennsylvania's recidivism risk reduction incentive minimum shall be equal to three-fourths of the minimum sentence imposed when the minimum sentence is three years or less, and five-sixths of the minimum sentence if the minimum sentence is greater than three years.
California credit forfeiture rules Policy
Milestone Completion Credit and Rehabilitative Achievement Credit may be forfeited in whole-day or whole-week increments upon a finding of guilt of a serious rule violation, but only after all Good Conduct Credit is exhausted, while Educational Merit Credit and Extraordinary Conduct Credit shall not be forfeited due to disciplinary action.
South Carolina had highest violent crime rate in U.S. for seven years (2002-2008) Statistic
The Pew Center on the States reported that South Carolina was the state with the highest violent crime rate in the country in 2008, a distinction held for seven years (2002-2008), and in addition the recidivism rate actually increased; of the inmates released in fiscal year 1999, 27.6 percent were returned.
27.6%
Texas: Class I inmates earn 20 days per 30; Class II earn 10 days per 30 Legal fact
Under Texas Government Code § 498.003(b), an inmate accrues good conduct time of 20 days for each 30 days actually served while classified as a Class I inmate, and 10 days for each 30 days actually served while classified as a Class II inmate.
D.C. educational good time credit rate Legal fact
Under D.C. Code § 24-429, a person who successfully participates in an academic or vocational program, including special education and GED programs, shall earn educational good time credits of no less than 3 days a month and not more than 5 days a month.
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45(h) requires drug program completion before parole consideration Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45(h) provides that an inmate whose criminal offense or history indicates alcohol or drug involvement shall not be considered for parole until the inmate has successfully completed an Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program offered by the Department of Corrections.
Virginia re-incarceration rate range since FY2007 Statistic
The Virginia State Crime Commission reported that Virginia's re-incarceration rate for State Responsible releases has remained consistent since FY2007, ranging from 22.4% to 26.1%.
22.4% vs. 26.1 upper bound of re-incarceration rate range
FY2023 program completions and GEDs earned Statistic
In FY2023, GDC had 38,438 post-secondary, vocational, on-the-job training, and skills training program completions, an increase of 32.1% from FY2022, and 1,531 GEDs earned, an increase of 6.3% from FY2022.
38,438 completions vs. 32.1 percent increase from FY2022
Source
Illinois MGT Push released hundreds early, including over 100 violent offenders after as few as 11 days Finding
Illinois's MGT Push program resulted in the earlier release of hundreds of inmates, including more than 100 serving sentences for violent offenses, after as few as 11 days in DOC custody, contrary to the department's historical practice of requiring at least 60 days before awarding Meritorious Good Time credit.
New Jersey credit under §30:4-92 and §30:4-92a Legal fact
NCSL's chart lists New Jersey's credit under §30:4-92 and §30:4-92a as time awarded increasing with minimum and maximum sentence, plus up to 1 day for each 5 days of education or workforce skills programming.
Louisiana program-credit statute amendment history Legal fact
Louisiana's program-credit statute has been amended by acts in 1968, 1989, 1991 (twice), 1992, 1993 (three times), 1994 (twice), 2001, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012 (twice), 2013, 2017, 2021, 2024, and twice in 2026.
PIC benefit contingent on Parole Board approval Policy
GDC's PIC fact sheet states that offender benefits include 'Additional time earned-off sentence (contingent upon State Board of Pardons & Paroles approval).'
Louisiana: 45.8% of good-time releasing individuals earned CTRP credit in 2023 Statistic
In Louisiana, 45.8 percent of good-time releasing individuals earned CTRP credit in 2023.
45.8%
Blackwell v. State: Sentence Reform Act of 1994 mandates LWOP for second serious violent felony Legal fact
The Georgia Supreme Court in Blackwell v. State stated that 'The Sentence Reform Act of 1994 added the provision currently codified as subsection (b) [of O.C.G.A. § 17-10-7], which mandates a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for a person who is convicted of a "serious violent felony" after having previously been convicted of a "serious violent felony," Ga. L. 1994, p. 1959, § 12.'
Nevada 2025 risk-and-needs credit cap Legal fact
Effective July 1, 2025, Nevada law allows an incarcerated individual who complies with programming and placement identified in a risk and needs assessment to receive credit against the minimum/maximum term capped at 58% of the minimum term or minimum aggregate term.
BOP staff: people can remain on FSA program waitlists for years Finding
GAO reported that BOP facility staff and union officials said incarcerated people could remain on waitlists for First Step Act recidivism-reduction programs for years, and that people with longer sentences would have a harder time getting into programs because priority is given to those closer to release.
New Jersey: parole releases 36% less likely to return to prison Statistic
Pew's 'Max Out' report cites research finding that in New Jersey, inmates released to parole supervision before their sentences expired were 36 percent less likely to return to prison, even when controlling for risk factors such as prior record, than inmates who maxed out.
36%
Source
BOP final rule: when FSA Time Credits begin Legal fact
Under BOP's final rule, an eligible federal inmate begins earning FSA Time Credits after the inmate's term of imprisonment commences, defined as the date the inmate arrives or voluntarily surrenders at the designated Bureau facility where the sentence will be served.
NC Earned Time Credit Level I Policy
North Carolina's Earned Time Credit Level I allows eligible offenders who perform qualifying work assignments or programs to receive three days per month deducted from their maximum sentence, requiring a minimum of four hours of unskilled or low level activity per day but no more than six hours per day.
Source
BOP DCEGT: 5 days credit per month enrolled Policy
BOP's educational good time program for D.C. Code offenders (DCEGT) awards 5 days of credit for each month a prisoner was enrolled in a designated program, up to the maximum amount designated by the Bureau for that program type.
Pennsylvania RRRI enacted August 11, 2009 as Act 33 Legal fact
Pennsylvania's RRRI statute, Chapter 45 of Title 61, was added August 11, 2009, P.L.147, No.33, effective in 60 days.
California Milestone Completion Credit increments Policy
California's Milestone Completion Credit regulation for CDCR provides that the credit shall be awarded in increments of not less than one week, but no more than twelve weeks in a twelve-month period.
South Carolina forfeiture of earned credits upon court recommendation Legal fact
Under South Carolina law, a prisoner shall forfeit all or part of his earned work, education, or good conduct credits in an amount to be determined by the Department of Corrections upon recommendation of the court or administrative judge.
Source
Texas: state jail felons earn no good conduct time but may receive diligent participation credit Legal fact
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42A.559, 'diligent participation' includes successful completion of an educational, vocational, or treatment program, progress toward completion interrupted by illness, injury, or circumstance outside the defendant's control, and active involvement in a work program. A defendant confined in a state jail felony facility does not earn good conduct time but may be awarded diligent participation credit.
D.C. educational good time not repealed Legal fact
D.C. Code § 24-429 (educational good time), unlike the institutional good time provision of § 24-428, was not repealed on June 22, 1994 and remains in effect.
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45(i) requires family violence counseling before parole Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45(i) provides that an inmate who has committed an offense identified to involve family violence shall not be released on parole until the inmate has successfully completed a Family Violence Counseling Program offered by the Department of Corrections.
Average annual Virginia State Responsible releases since 2010 Statistic
The Virginia State Crime Commission reported that since 2010, an average of 12,400 individuals are released from State Responsible incarceration each year.
12,400 people per year
FY2023 GEDs earned Statistic
In FY2023, GDC reported 1,531 GEDs earned, an increase of 6.3% from FY2022.
1,531 GEDs vs. 6.3 percent increase from FY2022
Source
Illinois MGT Push secretly altered 61-day policy and awarded credit on arrival Finding
Under Illinois's MGT Push early-release program, a Corrections policy change required inmates to stay only a minimum of 61 days was secretly altered, and inmates were given as much as six months' time off for good conduct as soon as they arrived, before they had a chance to display any conduct.
Michigan listed N/A for good time and earned time Legal fact
NCSL's chart lists Michigan as N/A for both good time and earned time credit policies.
Louisiana baseline good time rate: 13 days per 7 Legal fact
Louisiana's baseline diminution-of-sentence (good time) statute provides that an offender in the custody of the department convicted of a felony, with listed exceptions, may earn diminution of sentence at the rate of 13 days for every 7 days in actual custody served on the imposed sentence.
Serious violent felony sentences served in entirety Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1(c)(4) provides that a sentence for a first conviction of any serious violent felony shall be served in its entirety and shall not be reduced by parole, early release, work release, leave, or other sentence-reducing measures under Department of Corrections programs, except that during the final year of incarceration the offender is eligible to be considered for a department-administered transitional center or work release program.
14% on waiting list for job training programs Statistic
Fourteen percent of incarcerated adults were on a waiting list for entering a job training program.
14%
Louisiana CTRP credit maximum: up to 540 days total Policy
Individuals eligible for Certified Treatment and Rehabilitation Program (CTRP) credits in Louisiana can earn up to 360 days total earned credits toward reduction of the projected goodtime parole supervision date for program participation, plus an additional 180 days of CTRP credit for workforce development work release participation, for a possible total of 540 days of CTRP credit.
Blackwell v. State: legislative power to mandate punishment for second offenders Legal fact
The Georgia Supreme Court in Blackwell v. State stated that '[a]lthough the legislature defines crimes and sets the ranges of sentences[,] trial courts generally have the discretion to fashion sentences that fit the crimes for which the defendant is convicted, so long as the sentences fall within the statutory ranges,' and that it is 'within the power of the legislature to direct the punishment to be prescribed for second offenders and to leave no discretion to the trial judge.'
At least 35 states and federal system give good time credits Statistic
At least 35 states, as well as the federal prison system, give good time credits, and in some states good time credits involve some element of achievement above and beyond mere good behavior.
35 states
Prior BOP program evaluations lacked scientific rigor; little research on effectiveness Finding
GAO reported that prior evaluations of BOP educational programs drew conclusions based on evidence that lacked scientific rigor, and that little research exists on whether select BOP recidivism-reduction programs are effective in reducing recidivism.
National: max-out population grew 119% from 1990 to 2012 Trend
Pew found that between 1990 and 2012, the number of inmates who maxed out their sentences in prison grew 119 percent, from fewer than 50,000 to more than 100,000.
Source
BOP final rule: retroactive credit eligibility dates Legal fact
A federal inmate cannot earn FSA Time Credits for programming or activities before December 21, 2018; may earn credits for participation from December 21, 2018 until January 14, 2020; and may earn credits on or after January 15, 2020 only in programs the Bureau recommended based on the inmate's individualized risk and needs assessment.
NC Earned Time Credit eligibility definition Policy
North Carolina DPS Prisons policy states Earned Time Credit is a sentence credit awarded to eligible offenders sentenced for crimes committed on or after October 1, 1994, except those sentenced on or after that date under G.S. 20-138.1 for impaired driving, and that eligible offenders are those who work full-time or participate in full-time programs rated for sentence credits that would assist their productive re-entry into the community.
Source
Alabama correctional incentive time rates (current statute) Legal fact
Alabama's correctional incentive time statute provides that a prisoner earns incentive time at the rate of thirty days for each 30 days actually served as a Class I prisoner, fifteen days for each 30 days as a Class II prisoner, and five days for each 30 days as a Class III prisoner, with no correctional incentive time accruing during Class IV classification.
Pennsylvania RRRI signed into law September 25, 2008 Legal fact
RRRI was signed into law by Governor Rendell on September 25, 2008.
California Rehabilitative Achievement Credit rate Policy
California's Rehabilitative Achievement Credit regulation for CDCR provides one week of credit for every 52 hours of participation in approved rehabilitative activities, up to a maximum of four weeks of credit for 208 hours of participation in a twelve-month period.
South Carolina caps earned work/education credits at 180 days per year (72 for no-parole) Policy
South Carolina Department of Corrections policy caps Earned Work Credits and/or Educational Credits at no more than 180 days awarded to an inmate during any 12-month period, and no more than 72 days during any 12-month period for inmates with "No Parole" sentences.
Source
California Milestone Completion Credit: 3 weeks per 3 months, max 12 weeks/year Legal fact
Under California's Milestone Completion Credit regulation, an incarcerated person in an approved alternative custody setting earns three weeks of credit (21 calendar days) for completion of every three months of program plan activities, up to a maximum of twelve weeks of credit in a twelve-month period.
Texas: diligent participation credit capped at one-fifth of original sentence Legal fact
A time credit for diligent participation under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42A.559 subsections (f) or (g) may not exceed one-fifth of the amount of time the defendant is originally required to serve in a state jail felony facility, may not be awarded for any period the defendant is subject to disciplinary status, and is a privilege, not a right.
Florida 60-day GED/vocational gain-time bonus Legal fact
Florida's gain-time statute provides that, notwithstanding monthly maximum awards of incentive gain-time, the education program manager shall recommend, and the Department of Corrections may grant, a one-time award of 60 additional days of incentive gain-time to an inmate who is otherwise eligible and successfully completes requirements for a GED or vocational certificate.
1994 Sentence Reform Act bars earned time for serious violent felonies Legal fact
Georgia's 1994 Sentence Reform Act (Ga. L. 1994, p. 1959) declared it the General Assembly's finding that sentences ordered by courts in cases of certain serious violent felonies shall be served in their entirety and shall not be reduced by parole or by any earned time, early release, work release, or other such sentence-reducing measures administered by the Department of Corrections.
Virginia State Responsible releases in CY2019 Statistic
During CY2019, 12,549 individuals were released from State Responsible incarceration in Virginia.
12,549 people
FY2023 bachelor's and associate degrees awarded by institution Statistic
In FY2023 GDC incarcerated students earned 38 Bachelor's degrees and 87 Associate's degrees through partnerships with three universities and one college: Ashland University (24 BA/61 AA), Georgia State University (9 AA), Life University (14 BA/11 AA), and Brewton-Parker College (6 AA).
38 bachelor's degrees vs. 87 associate degrees
Source
56 MGT Push releases returned to custody, 17 violent crime allegations Statistic
When Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn halted the secret MGT Push early-release program, he acknowledged that 56 of the freed inmates were already back behind bars, 48 of them for violating parole rules, and an Associated Press review found at least 17 allegations of violent crimes among those returned to prison, including attempted murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault of a police officer.
56 inmates vs. 17 violent crime allegations
Wisconsin listed N/A for good time and earned time Legal fact
NCSL's chart lists Wisconsin as N/A for both good time and earned time credit policies.
Life sentence for serious violent felony: 30-year minimum, no earned time Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1(c)(1) provides that a person sentenced to life imprisonment for a first conviction of a serious violent felony is not eligible for parole or early release until serving a minimum of 30 years, and that minimum term shall not be reduced by earned time, early release, work release, leave, or other sentence-reducing measures under Department of Corrections programs.
D.C. educational good time credits: 3-5 days per month Legal fact
D.C. Code provides that every person whose conduct complies with institutional rules and who demonstrates a desire for self-improvement by successfully participating in an academic or vocational program, including special education and Graduate Equivalency Diploma programs, shall earn educational good time credits of no less than 3 days a month and not more than 5 days a month.
RAND meta-analysis: correctional education associated with 43% lower odds of recidivism Finding
RAND's meta-analysis found that, on average, inmates who participated in correctional education programs had 43 percent lower odds of recidivating than inmates who did not, translating into a reduction in the risk of recidivating of 13 percentage points.
Blackwell v. State: LWOP under § 17-10-7(b)(2) ineligible for parole or earned time Legal fact
The Georgia Supreme Court in Blackwell v. State noted that a person sentenced under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-7(b)(2) to life without parole 'shall not be eligible for any form of pardon, parole, or early release administered by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles or for any earned time, early release, work release, leave, or any other sentence-reducing measures under programs administered by the Department of Corrections ... except as may be authorized by any existing or future provisions of the Constitution.'
Massachusetts 80-day completion credits Legal fact
Massachusetts General Laws c.127 §129D provides that the commissioner may grant up to 80 days of completion credits to a prisoner serving a state prison sentence for successful completion of a designated program or activity.
BOP lacks complete data to verify timely risk and needs assessments Data gap
GAO found that BOP does not have readily-available, complete, and accurate data to determine if risk and needs assessments were conducted within the First Step Act required and BOP established timeframes.
National: max-out rate was 22% of all releases in 2012 Statistic
Pew found the max-out rate, the proportion of prisoners released without receiving supervision, was more than 1 in 5, or 22 percent of all releases, in 2012.
22%
Source
BOP recidivism rate for 2015-2017 releases Statistic
DOJ's First Step Act Annual Report states that the BOP's most recent Second Chance Act report, covering individuals released from 2015 to 2017, found a recidivism rate of 45%, a population released before the First Step Act of 2018.
45%
NC Earned Time ineligibility for assault on staff Policy
North Carolina DPS Prisons policy states that offenders found guilty of assault(s) on staff resulting in physical injury are subject to being made ineligible for future Earned Time Credit on their current period of incarceration, and that forfeiture of Earned Time Credits is facilitated through the disciplinary process.
Source
Alabama correctional incentive time exclusions Legal fact
Under Alabama's correctional incentive time law, a prisoner may not receive correctional incentive time if convicted of a Class A felony, convicted of a crime causing death by deadly weapon, sentenced to life, sentenced to death, received a sentence of more than 15 years, or convicted of a sex offense involving a child.
Pennsylvania RRRI effective November 24, 2008 Legal fact
RRRI became effective on November 24, 2008.
California Educational Merit Credit schedule Policy
California's Educational Merit Credit schedule for CDCR awards 90 days of credit for a High School Diploma or High School Equivalency, and 180 days of credit each for the Offender Mentor Certification Program, an Associate of Arts or Science Degree, a Bachelor of Arts or Science Degree, or a Post-Graduate Degree.
South Carolina non-parolable offenses post-1996 capped at 6 credits/month, 72/year Legal fact
For South Carolina offenses committed on or after January 1, 1996 and classified as non-parolable, state statute stipulates earning rates with a maximum of six credits per month and no more than 72 credits per year.
Source
California mental-health activity credit: 1 week per 60 hours, max 6 weeks/year Legal fact
Under California's Milestone Completion Credit regulation, a person engaged in scheduled, structured therapeutic mental-health activities earns one week of credit (seven calendar days) for every 60 hours completed, up to a maximum of six weeks of credit for 360 hours completed in a twelve-month period.
Texas Justice Reinvestment saved $210.5 million in 2008-2009 biennium Statistic
The Council of State Governments Justice Center reported that because the cost of increasing treatment and residential facility capacity was significantly less than TDCJ's original budget request for additional prison capacity, Texas saved $210.5 million for the 2008-2009 fiscal biennium.
$210.5M
Florida incentive gain-time rate post-1995 Legal fact
Florida's gain-time statute provides that for sentences imposed for offenses committed on or after October 1, 1995, the Department of Corrections may grant up to 10 days per month of incentive gain-time.
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45(b)(3) early parole pathway for drug trafficking sentences Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45(b)(3) allows an inmate sentenced under the drug trafficking provisions of O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30(d) and § 17-10-7(c) to a term of at least 12 years up to life to become eligible for parole consideration after completing 12 years if, among other criteria, the inmate has completed all criminogenic programming requirements and has a high school diploma or HSE, or if unable to obtain that, has completed a job skills training program, literacy program, adult basic education program, or faith based program.
Average total imposed sentence for Virginia CY2019 releases Statistic
The Virginia State Crime Commission reported that individuals released from State Responsible incarceration during CY2019 served, on average, a total imposed sentence of 58 months.
58 months
Walker State Prison as staffing and violence exception Finding
At Walker State Prison, more robust programming alongside more manageable staffing levels appeared to allow the prison to operate with less violence and contraband and more rehabilitative programming than the other prisons DOJ visited, with no reported homicides in the past several years.
Illinois 2024 EDSC exits: 1,080 individuals averaging 194.5 days Statistic
In Illinois, for the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, 1,080 individuals exited IDOC custody having been awarded an average of 194.5 days of Earned Discretionary Sentence Credit (EDSC).
1,080 individuals vs. 194.5 average days EDSC
Minnesota listed N/A for good time and earned time Legal fact
NCSL's chart lists Minnesota as N/A for both good time and earned time credit policies.
LeBlanc: JRI savings $356M over 10 years Finding
Louisiana DOC Secretary James LeBlanc said that nearly all offenders releasing on November 1, 2017 under the Justice Reinvestment reforms would have been released within a few months beyond November 2017 anyway, and that the new law would save the state about $356 million over the next 10 years by reducing the prison population by 10 percent.
§ 17-10-6.1(f) bars sentence reduction for serious violent felonies Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1(f) bars any earned time, early release, work release, leave, or other sentence-reducing measures administered by the Department of Corrections, or any pardon, parole, or commutation by the Board, from reducing a serious-violent-felony sentence, except that the offender may be considered for a transitional center or work release program during the final year of incarceration.
Bozick et al. meta-analysis: 57 recidivism studies, 21 employment studies Methodology note
Bozick et al.'s meta-analysis aggregated 37 years of research (1980-2017) on correctional education and identified 57 studies using recidivism as an outcome and 21 studies using employment as an outcome.
RAND meta-analysis: correctional education associated with 13% higher odds of postrelease employment Finding
Inmates who participated in correctional education programs (either academic or vocational) had odds of obtaining postrelease employment that was 13 percent higher than the odds for those who had not participated, though only one study fell into the higher-quality category.
Massachusetts completion credit eligibility requirements Legal fact
Massachusetts General Laws c.127 §129D provides that no prisoner shall be eligible for any deduction under subsection (a) or any completion credit under subsection (c) unless the prisoner has satisfied both the requirements of the program or activity and demonstrated competency in the material, as determined by the commissioner.
24% of FSA early releases had not completed a single FSA program (FY2022-2024) Statistic
Between fiscal years 2022 and 2024, 24 percent (9,819 of 41,548) of inmates who received FSA time credits resulting in their early release from BOP custody had not completed a single FSA program.
24%
New Mexico: no earned meritorious deductions for first 60 days of serious violent offense Policy
New Mexico Corrections Department policy (CD-080400) provides that Earned Meritorious Deductions shall not be awarded for the first sixty days of incarceration for a serious violent offense.
FSA activity participation rate as of February 2023 Statistic
As of February 28, 2023, 77.79% of individuals eligible to earn First Step Act time credits were taking part in any FSA activity.
77.8%
NC Earned Time Credit Level III Policy
North Carolina's Earned Time Credit Level III allows eligible offenders assigned to full time educational (academic or vocational) programs to receive nine days per month deducted from their maximum sentence.
Source
Alabama correctional incentive time statute amendment history Legal fact
Alabama's correctional incentive time statute has been amended by acts in 1980, 1991, 2005, 2015, 2022 and 2023.
Pennsylvania Act 81 of 2008 established RRRI court eligibility step Legal fact
Pennsylvania's Act 81 of 2008 established RRRI, with Step 1 being that the court determines whether the defendant is an eligible offender.
California Extraordinary Conduct Credit Policy
California's Extraordinary Conduct Credit regulation allows the Director of CDCR's Division of Adult Institutions to award up to twelve months of credit to an inmate who performed a heroic act in a life-threatening situation or provided exceptional assistance maintaining the safety and security of a prison, with no credit awarded to an inmate sentenced to death or to life without the possibility of parole.
South Carolina firearm-enhancement inmates ineligible for earned credits during enhancement period Policy
Under South Carolina Department of Corrections policy, inmates serving the mandatory five-year sentence for the possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime are not eligible to receive Earned Work Credits or Earned Education Credits for the period of incarceration served for the possession violation.
Source
California restricted-housing inmates eligible for credits Legal fact
California's regulation on credit earning makes all eligible incarcerated persons, including those housed in restricted housing units, eligible to earn Milestone Completion Credit, Rehabilitative Achievement Credit, and Educational Merit Credit.
Texas 2007 Justice Reinvestment led by Whitmire and Madden Case detail
The 2007 Texas Justice Reinvestment initiative was led by state Senator John Whitmire (D-Houston), Chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, and state Representative Jerry Madden (R), Chair of the Corrections Committee.
Florida basic gain-time rate Legal fact
Florida law requires the Department of Corrections to grant basic gain-time at the rate of 10 days for each month of each sentence imposed on a prisoner, as a means of encouraging satisfactory behavior.
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45(b)(3) requires criminogenic programming completion for early parole Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45(b)(3) requires an inmate sentenced under certain drug-trafficking provisions to a specified early-parole-eligibility pathway to have completed all criminogenic programming requirements as determined by a validated risk assessment instrument, among other conditions, to become eligible for parole consideration under that pathway.
Median sentence for Virginia CY2019 releases Statistic
The Virginia State Crime Commission reported that the median sentence for individuals released from State Responsible incarceration during CY2019 was 28 months.
28 months
DOJ: Walker State Prison notable exception with fewer fearing for lives and higher staffing Finding
DOJ's findings report on Georgia prisons states that Walker State Prison was a notable exception, with fewer incarcerated people reporting they feared for their lives, a much higher proportion of security staff positions filled, more robust programming, less violence and contraband, and no reported homicides in the past several years.
Illinois natural life and first-degree murder/terrorism exclusions from sentence credits Legal fact
Illinois law excludes people serving a natural life sentence from receiving any sentence credits, and excludes first-degree murder and terrorism convictions from sentence credit eligibility, meaning those convicted of those two crimes serve 100% of their sentence in IDOC.
Source
Vermont credit under 28 V.S.A. §811 to §819 Legal fact
NCSL's chart lists Vermont's credit under 28 V.S.A. §811 to §819 as 5 days per month for good behavior, no new convictions, and milestones met, plus 1 day per day for substance use disorder treatment and up to 30 days per month for time in work camp.
SB 139 / Act 280: minimal good time increases Legal fact
Right on Crime described Louisiana's Senate Bill 139, Act 280, as providing changes for parole consideration and 'minimal increases in good time accruals,' as the first of the Justice Reinvestment legislation to be implemented on November 1, 2017.
PIC SOP authority cites O.C.G.A. §§ 42-9-45 and 17-10-6.1 Policy
GDC Standard Operating Procedure 214.02 on the Performance Incentive Credit Program cites its authority as O.C.G.A. §§ 42-9-45 and 17-10-6.1.
Correctional education participants 28% less likely to recidivate Statistic
Bozick et al.'s meta-analysis found that, when focusing on studies with the highest caliber research designs, inmates participating in correctional education programs were 28% less likely to recidivate when compared with inmates who did not participate.
28%
Parole Board Rule 475-3-.05 titled 'Parole Consideration' Policy
Georgia Parole Board Rule 475-3-.05 is titled 'Parole Consideration.'
Minnesota earned incentive release credit policy Legal fact
Minnesota's Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act directs the Commissioner of Corrections to establish a policy for earned incentive release credit that provides circumstances under which an incarcerated person may receive such credits, including participation in rehabilitative programming.
9,819 early releases without FSA program completion: average 3 years incarcerated, 5 unmet needs Statistic
Of the inmates released early with applied FSA time credits despite not having completed a single FSA program between fiscal years 2022 and 2024, those 9,819 inmates were incarcerated for an average of 3 years and had an average of five unmet recidivism risk needs at the time of their early release.
9,819 inmates
New Mexico: forfeited lump sum awards cannot be restored Policy
New Mexico Corrections Department policy provides that Lump Sum Awards of Earned Meritorious Deductions cannot be restored once forfeited.
Increase in EBRR and PA participation since February 2022 Statistic
Since February 2022, EBRR and PA participation had increased by 33.95%.
34.0%
NC Earned Time Credit Level III instruction hours Policy
North Carolina's Earned Time Credit Level III rating for educational programs requires the offender to engage in not less than twenty-eight hours and not more than forty hours of instruction per week.
Source
Alabama: forfeiture of correctional incentive time for rule violations Legal fact
Alabama's correctional incentive time law provides that if, during the term of imprisonment, a prisoner commits an offense or violates a rule of the Department of Corrections, all or any part of his or her correctional incentive time accrued shall be forfeited.
Pennsylvania RRRI evaluation listed as reducing recidivism 15.5 to 20.4 percent Statistic
The Pennsylvania DOC's Recidivism Report table of recent program evaluations lists the Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive (RRRI), evaluated in January 2018, as reducing recidivism by 15.5 to 20.4 percent.
15.5% vs. 20.4 upper bound of recidivism reduction range
Source
California Good Conduct Credit exclusion Policy
California's Good Conduct Credit regulation provides that no credit is awarded to an inmate sentenced to death or a term of life without the possibility of parole.
North Carolina earned program credits: up to 30 days per educational degree Policy
A South Carolina Sentencing Reform Oversight Committee handout comparing states' earned program credits states that North Carolina provides up to 30 days credit for each educational degree achieved, and 5, 15 or 30 days credit for completion of an apprentice program depending on the program, or 2 to 6 days per month for working full-time.
California violent offenders' good conduct credits rose from 15% to 20% Legal fact
Per the Legislative Analyst's Office, under CDCR's credit-earning regulations, good conduct credits for most violent offenders increased from up to 15 percent pre-implementation to up to 20 percent post-implementation.
Source
Texas parole: FI approval vote required for release; program completion may be a condition Policy
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles states that an FI approval vote is required for release, and if the vote includes an additional number, the identified program must be completed prior to release.
Florida meritorious gain-time range Legal fact
Florida law allows meritorious gain-time of from 1 to 60 days for an inmate who performs an outstanding deed, such as saving a life or assisting in recapturing an escaped inmate, or otherwise performs outstanding service.
O.C.G.A. § 42-8-37(c)(1) requires three-year probation review Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-8-37(c)(1) requires DCS to review the case of a probationer serving a sentence of three years or more after three years on probation, with a written report addressing arrests, revocations, and restitution payment status, and a recommendation on early termination.
Virginia budget amendment sets 4.5 credits per 30 days for violent-offense sentences Legal fact
A Virginia budget amendment requires that a person serving a sentence that includes at least one offense enumerated in the violent-offense list of the earned sentence credit statute have their entire sentence calculated at the lower rate of 4.5 sentence credits per 30 days served, rather than the expanded higher credit rate.
DOJ: systemwide CO vacancy rate around 50% Statistic
DOJ's findings report on Georgia prisons states that staffing levels vary across the prisons, with correctional officer (CO) vacancy rates around 50% systemwide and over 70% at ten of the largest facilities.
50% vs. 70 percent vacancy at ten largest facilities
Illinois EDSC statutory caps: 180 days under 5 years, 360 days for 5+ years Legal fact
Illinois law (730 ILCS 5/3-6-3(a)(3)) allows the Director of IDOC to award Earned Discretionary Sentence Credits in addition to programming and education credits, up to 180 days for a person whose sentence is less than 5 years and up to 360 days for a person whose sentence is 5 years or longer.
Source
Maine listed N/A for good time and earned time Legal fact
NCSL's chart lists Maine as N/A for both good time and earned time credit policies, the same designation used for Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
17.4% of Act 280 releases returned to custody Statistic
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor found that of the 49,404 inmates released under Act 280 good time changes, 8,603 (17.4%) returned to DOC custody between fiscal years 2018 and 2023, while 40,801 (82.6%) had not returned to DOC custody, and that inmates released based on JRI good time changes did not appear to return to custody at a higher rate than the overall return rate.
17.4%
PIC Date defined as earlier than TPM or MRD Policy
GDC SOP 214.02 defines a Performance Incentive Credit (PIC) Date as a date earlier than the Tentative Parole Month (TPM) or Maximum Release Date (MRD) that the inmate may be considered for release.
Pell Grant ban lift would increase employment by 4.7 percentage points Statistic
Vera/Georgetown's Investing in Futures report estimated that lifting the Pell Grant ban for people in prison would increase state employment rates of formerly incarcerated workers who participated in a postsecondary program by 4.7 percentage points, or nearly 10 percent.
4.7%
Source
RAND meta-analysis limitation: dearth of experimental designs and selection bias Methodology note
RAND's meta-analysis states that one major limitation of the extant research on correctional education is the dearth of studies that used experimental designs, making it difficult to establish a causal relationship between program participation and the outcome of interest, and that studies lacking experimental designs are susceptible to selection bias, whereby inmates who elect to participate in educational programs may differ in unmeasured ways from inmates who elect not to participate.
PIC program created by 1992 Georgia law Policy
Georgia's Performance Incentive Credit (PIC) program was created by a 1992 law passed by the Georgia Legislature, under which eligible inmates may have their Tentative Parole Month advanced a few months by satisfactory progress in education, treatment, and work programs during incarceration.
Minnesota 17% earned incentive release credit cap Legal fact
Under Minnesota's Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act, the maximum earned incentive release credit is 17 percent of the total executed sentence, and the credit cannot reduce the term of imprisonment to less than one-half of the executed sentence.
New Mexico: EMD caps of 4 days/month (violent) and 30 days/month (non-violent) Policy
New Mexico Corrections Department policy provides that Earned Meritorious Deductions shall not exceed four days per month for inmates convicted of a serious violent offense, and shall not exceed thirty days per month for inmates convicted of any crime not designated as a serious violent offense.
Inmates released early without completing any FSA program Statistic
The DOJ Office of the Inspector General found that between fiscal years 2022 and 2024, 24 percent (9,819 of 41,548) of inmates who received First Step Act time credits resulting in their early release from BOP custody had not completed a single FSA program.
24%
NC misdemeanant Earned Time cap Policy
North Carolina's inmate rule book states that Earned Time may not reduce the inmate's sentence to less than the minimum term, and that misdemeanants (other than DWI) committed on or after October 1, 1994 may only receive up to 4 days Earned Time credit per month.
Source
24,297 offenders admitted with RRRI minimum since November 2008 Statistic
Since November 2008, an estimated 24,297 offenders were admitted to PA DOC custody with a RRRI minimum sentence date, representing 26.9% of all new PA DOC admissions.
24,297 offenders vs. 26.9 percent of all new PA DOC admissions
California Good Conduct Credit default rate Policy
California's Good Conduct Credit regulation awards one day of credit for every day of incarceration, i.e. 50 percent, to an inmate not otherwise identified in the lower-rate paragraphs.
Tennessee 60-day educational good time credit for diplomas/degrees Legal fact
Tennessee's sentence reduction credit statute provides an educational good time credit of sixty (60) days to any qualifying prisoner who successfully receives a high school equivalency credential or high school diploma, a two-year or four-year college degree, a two-year or four-year certification in applied sciences, or a vocational education diploma.
Right on Crime launched in 2010 as conservative reform initiative Case detail
Right on Crime states that as reform efforts in Texas began to bear positive fruit in 2010, the decision was made to 'take the show on the road,' giving birth to Right on Crime as the nation's premier conservative criminal justice reform initiative.
Florida 85% minimum service requirement Legal fact
Florida law provides that an inmate subject to the gain-time provision in subparagraph (b)3 is not eligible to earn or receive gain-time in an amount that would result in release prior to serving a minimum of 85 percent of the sentence imposed.
Qualified-offense early termination subsection added by SB 105 (2021) Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-8-37's history line shows the 'qualified offense' early-termination-of-probation subsection was added by Ga. L. 2021, p. 223, § 2/SB 105.
Virginia budget amendment modifies 2020 earned-sentence-credit structure Legal fact
The Virginia budget amendment limiting earned sentence credits changed the offense classifications eligible for the earned-sentence-credit structure set forth in House Bill 5148 and Senate Bill 5034 of the 2020 Special Session I.
DOJ: 18 prisons over 60% CO vacancy in December 2023 Statistic
DOJ's findings report on Georgia prisons states that in December 2023, 18 GDC prisons had CO vacancy rates over 60%, and 10 of those were over 70%.
18 prisons vs. 10 prisons over 70% vacancy
Illinois education credit amounts: 90 days GED, 120 associate, 180 bachelor/master/professional Legal fact
Illinois law (730 ILCS 5/3-6-3(a)(4.1)) provides education credits for achievements while in IDOC custody of 90 days for passing the high school equivalency test, 120 days for obtaining an associate's degree, and 180 days for a bachelor's, master's, or professional degree, available only if the person has not previously earned that degree.
Source
Colorado earned time credit rates Legal fact
Colorado's earned time law provides 10 or 12 days of credit per month served depending on classification, plus up to 60 days per completion of a program milestone or phase of an educational, vocational, or therapeutic program.
49,404 released under Act 280; 8,603 returned Statistic
Of the 49,404 inmates released under Act 280 good time changes, 8,603 returned to DOC custody between fiscal years 2018 and 2023, while 40,801 had not returned.
49,404 inmates vs. 8,603 returned to custody
PIC SOP excludes boot camp, death row, and life sentences Policy
GDC SOP 214.02 excludes Boot Camp Offenders, offenders under a death sentence, and offenders serving a life sentence with or without the possibility of parole from PIC eligibility.
RAND meta-analysis: postsecondary education reduces odds of recidivism by 48% Statistic
Vera/Georgetown's report noted that the RAND meta-analysis found that, on average, the odds of recidivating are 48 percent less for those who take part in postsecondary education in prison, while also noting that self-selection bias may exist and affect the magnitude of results.
48%
Source
RAND meta-analysis: overall effect not driven by lower-quality studies Finding
RAND's meta-analysis found that obtaining odds ratios of similar magnitude when restricting the analysis to studies with the most rigorous research design suggests that the overall effect observed among the full sample of 50 studies is not driven by lower-level studies that are potentially subject to selection bias.
Minnesota earned incentive release credits revocable Legal fact
Minnesota's earned incentive release credits under the Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act are revocable if the person violates rules of the facility where the person is incarcerated.
BOP used $258.7M in FSA funds to reimburse itself for free telephone calls without clear authority Finding
The BOP used $258.7 million in FSA funds to reimburse itself for providing inmates with free telephone calls without clear authority to do so.
New Mexico: definition of 'active participant' for earning deductions Policy
New Mexico Corrections Department policy defines an 'active participant' as an inmate who has begun and is regularly engaged in approved programs.
BOP used FSA funds for free telephone calls Statistic
The DOJ Office of the Inspector General found that the BOP used $258.7 million in First Step Act funds to reimburse itself for providing inmates with free telephone calls without clear authority to do so.
$258.7M
Ohio earned credit exclusion for aggravated murder Legal fact
Ohio Revised Code §2967.193 excludes earned days of credit for a person sentenced to death or serving a prison term or a term of life imprisonment for aggravated murder, murder, or a conspiracy or attempt to commit, or complicity in committing, aggravated murder or murder.
20,607 RRRI inmates released; 78 percent certified at RRRI minimum Statistic
An estimated 20,607 RRRI sentenced inmates have been released from PA DOC custody, of whom 78% were certified by PA DOC as fulfilling the requirements for release at their RRRI minimum sentence.
20,607 inmates vs. 78 percent certified at RRRI minimum
California Constitution Article I Section 32(a) purpose Legal fact
California Constitution article I, section 32(a) states that its provisions are hereby enacted to enhance public safety, improve rehabilitation, and avoid the release of prisoners by federal court order.
Tennessee educational credit excluded for 85%/100% service offenses Legal fact
Tennessee's sixty-day educational good time credit for obtaining a diploma does not apply to any prisoner convicted of an offense that requires service of at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the sentence under § 40-35-501(i) or one hundred percent (100%) of the sentence under § 39-13-523.
California milestone credits doubled from 6 to 12 weeks per year Legal fact
Per the Legislative Analyst's Office, under CDCR's credit-earning regulations, Milestone Credits for non-sex-registrant, nonviolent, non-third-striker inmates increased from up to 6 weeks per year pre-implementation to up to 12 weeks per year post-implementation.
Source
Texas 2011: judges allowed good-time credits for probationers completing milestones Legal fact
Right on Crime reported that in 2011, Texas judges were allowed to give 'good time' credits for probationers if they perform certain tasks, such as earning a degree, paying the full amount of restitution, and completing treatment programs.
Florida HB 183 sponsor rationale Quote
Representative Hart-Lowman said he filed his criminal rehabilitation bill because he sincerely believes that by providing inmates with educational opportunities the state will be able to tackle many issues plaguing the correctional system, and that the bill was drafted with input from those formerly and currently incarcerated and their families.
Parole Board conditions Tentative Parole Month on conduct and program completion Policy
A Parole Board webpage states that when the Board sends an inmate a notice of its decision, it emphasizes that any Tentative Parole Month is conditioned on good conduct in prison and sometimes successful completion of a drug, alcohol, sex-offender counseling program, or other pre-condition(s).
Washington earned release up to 50 percent for eligible offenders Legal fact
Washington's earned release time statute provides that an offender is qualified to earn up to 50 percent of aggregate earned release time if the offender is not classified as high-risk to reoffend, is not confined for a sex offense, violent offense, or crime against persons, and participates in programming or activities as directed by the offender's individual reentry plan.
FY2025 admissions highest grade level attained: Grade 12 or GED Statistic
In GDC's FY2025 Inmate Statistical Profile of admissions, among reported male admissions 'Grade 12 or GED' was the highest grade level attained for 3,645 (50.3%), and among reported female admissions for 448 (50.34%).
3,645 male admissions vs. 448 female admissions
Illinois day-for-day credit for full-time program participation Legal fact
Illinois law (730 ILCS 5/3-6-3(a)(4)(A)) provides that a person participating full-time in substance abuse programs, correctional industry assignments, educational programs, work-release programs, behavior modification programs, life skills courses, or re-entry planning, who satisfactorily completes the assigned program, receives one day of sentence credit for each day participating.
Source
Nevada earned-time awards for educational credentials Legal fact
Nevada's earned-time law awards 60 days of credit for a GED, 90 days for a high school diploma, and 120 days for a first associate's degree, with up to 90 days for additional degrees at the director's discretion.
DOC data system lacks historical good time law record Data gap
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor noted that DOC's data system does not maintain a historical record of under which good time law an inmate was released, a data limitation for recidivism analysis.
Earned Time System terminated January 1, 1984 Policy
The Georgia Department of Offender Rehabilitation's FY1982-83 Biennial Report states that the Earned Time System terminates on January 1, 1984.
Expanding postsecondary education would decrease state incarceration costs by $365.8 million per year Statistic
Vera/Georgetown's report estimated that expanding access to postsecondary education in prison, via lower recidivism rates, would decrease combined state incarceration costs by $365.8 million per year.
$365.8M
Source
RAND meta-analysis: selection bias cannot be ruled out for employment outcome Methodology note
RAND's meta-analysis found that no studies received a Level 5 rating and only one study received a Level 4 rating on its research-quality scale for the employment analysis, so the authors state they cannot rule out selection bias as a potential explanation for the observed relationship between correctional education and postrelease employment.
Mississippi meritorious earned time Legal fact
Mississippi Code § 47-5-142 allows an offender to receive 'meritorious earned time,' awarded by the Commissioner, for successful completion of educational or instructional programs, satisfactory participation in work projects, or satisfactory participation in any special incentive program.
New York: determinate sentence time allowance capped at one-seventh Legal fact
New York Correction Law §803 provides that a person serving a determinate sentence may receive a time allowance against the term of not more than one-seventh of the term imposed by the court.
BOP over-reimbursed itself for telephone service Statistic
The DOJ Office of the Inspector General found that the BOP reimbursed itself about $106 million in excess of the cost that the BOP calculated it had incurred for providing telephone service to inmates using First Step Act funds.
$106M
Ohio earned-credit statute sunset date Legal fact
Ohio's earned-credit statute provides that its provisions apply until April 4, 2024, to persons confined in a state correctional institution or in the substance use disorder treatment program, after which the provisions of section 2967.194 of the Revised Code apply to persons so confined.
Alabama Correctional Incentive Time Act short title Legal fact
A section of Alabama Code Title 14, Chapter 9 (Section 14-9-40) states that the article shall be known as the 'Alabama Correctional Incentive Time Act.'
RRRI-certified 5-year recidivism 45.9 percent vs 54.1 percent non-RRRI Statistic
The 5-year overall recidivism rate for RRRI-certified inmates is 45.9% compared to 54.1% for non-RRRI inmates.
45.9% vs. 54.1 non-RRRI 5-year recidivism rate
CDCR recidivism success rates for credit earners Statistic
According to CDCR's recidivism report, people who earned Educational Merit Credits while incarcerated succeeded on parole at a rate of 76.7 percent, and those who earned Rehabilitation Achievement Credits had an 81.5 percent success rate in reentry.
76.7% vs. 81.5 Rehabilitation Achievement Credit success rate
Tennessee sentence credits: 1-16 days per month, max 8 for behavior and 8 for program Legal fact
Tennessee's sentence-reduction-credit statute allows inmates assigned to work, educational and/or vocational training programs to be awarded time credits toward the sentence imposed that vary between one and sixteen days for each month served, with not more than eight days per month for good institutional behavior and not more than eight days per month for satisfactory program performance.
California created Educational Merit Credits of 3-6 months per achievement Legal fact
Per the Legislative Analyst's Office, under CDCR's credit-earning regulations, new Educational Merit Credits of 3 to 6 months per achievement were created for all inmates except those sentenced to death and life without the possibility of parole, where previously there was no such credit.
Source
Florida HB 183 provisions Finding
A Florida bill sponsored by Representative Hart-Lowman would specify that rehabilitating an offender to transition back to the community successfully is one of the primary purposes of sentencing, reduce the minimum sentence that must be served from 85 percent to 72 percent, and revise gain-time provisions to provide for outstanding deed gain-time.
Georgia Act 1133 (Earned Time Law) effective July 1, 1976 Legal fact
Effective July 1, 1976, Georgia Act 1133 ('the Earned Time Law') discontinued 'statutory' and 'extra' good time for persons sentenced after that date and provided for 'earned time' allowances to be awarded to these inmates based upon their performance.
Source
Washington earned release cap 15 percent for certain offenses 1990-2003 Legal fact
Washington's earned release time statute caps aggregate earned release time at 15 percent of the sentence for an offender convicted of a serious violent offense or class A sex felony committed on or after July 1, 1990 and before July 1, 2003.
FY2025 admissions grade distribution: Grades 9-11 Statistic
In GDC's FY2025 Inmate Statistical Profile of admissions, 8,136 total admissions had a reported highest grade level attained, with 692 at Grade 9, 932 at Grade 10, and 970 at Grade 11.
8,136 admissions
North Dakota earned time for program participation Legal fact
North Dakota law provides 1 or 5 days per month of earned time credit for participation in an education program, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, or employment in prison industries.
Act 280 changed good time rate, not eligibility Legal fact
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor found that Act 280 of the 2017 Regular Legislative Session changed the rate at which inmates can earn diminution of sentence for good behavior (good time), allowing inmates to be released on good time parole sooner, but Act 280 did not change the eligibility criteria for good time.
Pre-1994 conflict between legislative sentencing and Board clemency power Legal fact
A Georgia Attorney General opinion states that before the 1994 constitutional amendment, there existed the potential for conflict between the General Assembly's legislative prerogative to establish crimes and prescribe punishment and the Board's constitutionally-derived power to grant clemency.
No compelling evidence that harsh prison conditions deter recidivism Finding
Drago, Galbiati and Vertova's study of Italian former prison inmates found no compelling evidence of specific deterrent effects of experienced prison severity, and that point estimates suggested harsh prison conditions increase post-release criminal activity rather than reduce it.
RAND meta-analysis: recidivism odds ratio 0.64 from 50 studies Statistic
RAND's meta-analysis pooled 71 effect size estimates from 50 studies on recidivism outcomes, yielding an overall odds ratio of 0.64.
0.6 odds ratio
Federal FSA: 10 days credit per 30 days of programming Legal fact
Under federal law, a prisoner shall earn 10 days of time credits for every 30 days of successful participation in evidence-based recidivism reduction programming or productive activities.
Source
Mississippi 2014 true minimums Legal fact
Mississippi's 2014 corrections reform law provides that no person convicted of a criminal offense on or after July 1, 2014 may be released until serving at least 50% of a sentence for a crime of violence or 25% of any other sentence, notwithstanding the earned-time statutes including Section 47-5-142.
29,944 released early under FSA as of January 28, 2023; 3,722 recidivated Statistic
As of January 28, 2023, 29,944 individuals had been released early from BOP custody due to earned time credits pursuant to the First Step Act, of whom 3,722 had recidivated (were either rearrested or returned to BOP custody).
29,944 individuals vs. 3,722 recidivated
ACLU lawsuit against BOP over FSA credits Case detail
The ACLU filed suit in federal court for the District of Columbia on December 20, 2024, challenging the Bureau of Prisons for treating sentence credits earned by prisoners towards early release under the First Step Act as 'optional.'
Ohio eighty per cent-qualifying offender definition Legal fact
Under Ohio's judicial release statute, an 'eighty per cent-qualifying offender' means an offender who is serving a stated prison term of one year or more, on or after April 4, 2023, who has commenced service of that stated prison term and has served eighty per cent of that stated prison term.
CDCR recidivism methodology Methodology note
CDCR's own recidivism report methodology states that recidivism rates are developed utilizing a three-year follow-up period analyzing a cohort's arrests, convictions and returns to prison, and that the three-year conviction rate serves as CDCR's primary measure of recidivism.
Tennessee: no right to time credits or program participation Legal fact
Under Tennessee's sentence-reduction-credit statute, no inmate has a right to any time credits or to participate in any particular program, and an inmate may be transferred from one assignment to another without cause.
California created Participation Credits up to 4 weeks per year Legal fact
Per the Legislative Analyst's Office, under CDCR's credit-earning regulations, new Participation Credits of up to 4 weeks per year were created for all inmates except those sentenced to death and life without the possibility of parole.
Source
RAND meta-analysis: correctional education associated with 43% lower recidivism Finding
Texas Appleseed reported that a meta-analysis conducted by the RAND Corporation found that persons enrolled in correctional education programs were 43% less likely to recidivate, with recidivism risk reduced by 13 percentage points.
Earned Time System based on work and program participation; refusal means full sentence Policy
Under Georgia's Earned Time System, earning time off a sentence was based on work performance and participation in programs at the institution, and inmates who did not wish to participate in the Earned Time System could refuse, but would earn no time off their sentence and would serve it in its entirety without parole.
Source
Washington earned release cap 10 percent for certain offenses after 2003 Legal fact
Washington's earned release time statute caps aggregate earned release time at 10 percent of the sentence for an offender convicted of a serious violent offense or class A sex felony committed on or after July 1, 2003.
FY2024 CTHE certificates and diplomas and degrees awarded Statistic
In FY2024, GDC's Career, Technical, and Higher Education programs achieved 95% of facilities statewide exceeding their goals, resulting in offenders receiving almost 46,000 certificates and diplomas, and 80 associate degrees and 60 bachelor's degrees were awarded to offenders.
46,000 certificates and diplomas vs. 95 percent of facilities exceeding goals
Idaho one-time vocational training credit Legal fact
Idaho law provides a one-time award of up to 6 days for 150 hours of participation in vocational training.
Third-year recidivism fell 35.1% to 30.3% Trend
Louisiana DOC's recidivism metrics show overall third-year recidivism decreased from 35.1% for calendar year 2013 releases to 30.3% for calendar year 2019 releases.
1994 constitutional amendment ratified mandatory-sentence laws Legal fact
A Georgia constitutional amendment ratified by the people provides that any general law previously enacted by the General Assembly providing for life without parole or for mandatory service of sentences without suspension, probation, or parole is ratified and approved, subject to amendment or repeal by general law.
Marginal increase in remaining sentence reduces recidivism probability by 0.16 percentage points Statistic
Drago, Galbiati and Vertova found that a marginal increase in the remaining sentence reduces the probability of recidivism by 0.16 percentage points (1.3 percent), meaning one month less time served in prison commuted into one month more in expected sentence significantly reduced former inmates' propensity to recommit a crime.
0.2%
RAND meta-analysis: employment outcomes pooled from 18 studies Methodology note
RAND's meta-analysis of employment outcomes pooled 22 effect size estimates from 18 studies examining odds of obtaining employment after release.
Federal FSA: additional 5 days credit for low-risk prisoners Legal fact
A prisoner determined by the Bureau of Prisons to be at minimum or low risk for recidivating, who over 2 consecutive assessments has not increased their risk of recidivism, shall earn an additional 5 days of time credits for every 30 days of successful participation in evidence-based recidivism reduction programming or productive activities.
Source
Mississippi forfeiture of meritorious earned time Legal fact
Under Mississippi Code § 47-5-142, an offender forfeits all meritorious earned time upon escape or aiding/abetting an escape, may forfeit all or part for just cause on written order of the Commissioner, and forfeited time is not restored or re-earned; no meritorious earned time may be awarded while assigned to maximum security facilities for disciplinary purposes.
Of FSA early releasees who recidivated: 2,757 rearrested, 929 revoked Statistic
Of the FSA early releasees who recidivated, 2,757 individuals were rearrested but did not return to BOP custody, while 929 individuals were revoked.
2,757 individuals rearrested vs. 929 revoked
Fourth Circuit ruling on FSA credits during transit Legal fact
The Fourth Circuit upheld denial of federal prisoner William White's habeas petition, holding that a prisoner who is not being offered programming because he is being temporarily housed at a transit facility that does not offer programming cannot be earning First Step Act time credits.
Ohio DRC director judicial release recommendation Legal fact
Under Ohio's judicial release statute, the director of the department of rehabilitation and correction may recommend in writing to the sentencing court that the court consider releasing an eighty per cent-qualifying offender from prison through judicial release, with the director including an institutional summary report covering the offender's participation in school, training, work, treatment, and other rehabilitative activities.
RRRI estimated prison population reduction of 1,190 inmates Statistic
RRRI has resulted in an estimated prison population reduction of 1,190 inmates in Pennsylvania.
1,190 inmates
CDCR recidivism rate for parole hearing releases Statistic
CDCR reported that people released after a parole hearing who benefit from Proposition 57 rehabilitative programming have a recidivism rate of 2% for new felony convictions.
2%
Tennessee 60-day credit for 9-month residential SUD therapeutic community Legal fact
Tennessee provides a credit of sixty days to any qualifying prisoner who successfully completes an evidence-based, intensive residential substance use disorder treatment therapeutic community program of at least nine months in the department.
California program credit is a privilege, not a right Legal fact
Under California's program credit statute, program credit is a privilege, not a right, and prisoners shall have a reasonable opportunity to participate in program credit qualifying assignments consistent with institutional security and available resources.
Florida gain-time as only sentence reduction Finding
An OPPAGA report states that due to Florida's determinate sentencing requirements, inmates must serve a mandatory 85% of their sentence, and gain-time, awarded by the Florida Department of Corrections for institutional adjustment, educational program completion, and good behavior, is the only opportunity eligible inmates have to earn a sentence reduction.
Source
GDC awarded 3,017 GEDs in FY2018, surpassing goal of 3,000 Statistic
GDC awarded 3,017 GEDs in FY2018, surpassing its goal of 3,000.
3,017 GEDs vs. 3,000 goal
Washington earned release cap one-third of sentence in other cases Legal fact
Washington's earned release time statute provides that in no other case shall the aggregate earned release time exceed one-third of the total sentence.
FY2024 GEDs awarded and share of statewide GEDs Statistic
In FY2024, GDC awarded 1,493 general equivalency diplomas (GED), of which 140 graduates qualified as neglected and delinquent under Title I, and 20% of all GEDs earned in Georgia during FY24 were earned by offenders in GDC facilities.
1,493 GEDs vs. 20 percent of statewide GEDs
Indiana educational credit reduction for stalking, felonies against persons, and IC 11-8-8-5 crimes Legal fact
Under Indiana's educational credit time statute, educational credit earned by an offender serving a sentence for stalking, a felony against a person, or a crime listed in IC 11-8-8-5 shall be reduced to the extent application of the credit would result in postconviction release or assignment to a community transition program in less than forty-five days after the person earns the credit.
States allowing violent-offense earned time above 15 percent Finding
The Vera Institute report identifies Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming as states that allow people convicted of violent offenses to earn more than 15 percent off their sentences, the percentage set by truth-in-sentencing laws.
2024 HB: no good time for offenses on/after Aug 1, 2024 Legal fact
Louisiana's 2024 Second Extraordinary Session House Bill (enrolled) provides that no person who commits an offense on or after August 1, 2024 is eligible to earn or be entitled to any diminution of sentence (good time), except as provided in new R.S. 15:571.3.1.
Source
AG opinion: constitutional limits on parole for seven serious violent felonies Legal fact
A Georgia Attorney General opinion states that additional constitutional limitations have been placed on the Board's power to parole, now the clear prerogative of the General Assembly, including the inability to parole during the mandatory minimum sentence for the seven serious violent felonies set out in O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1.
CDCR authorized good conduct credit for violent felons up to one-third of sentence, exceeding 15% cap Legal fact
The Criminal Justice Legal Foundation's critique states that CDCR has authorized good conduct credit (GCC) for violent felons up to one-third of their sentence, even though such credits are capped by law at 15%, and that this interpretation is disputed and is the subject of litigation.
Source
RAND meta-analysis: employment odds ratio 1.13 (95% CI 1.07-1.20) Statistic
RAND's meta-analysis found that the odds of obtaining employment postrelease among inmates receiving correctional education are 13 percent higher than the odds of obtaining employment postrelease among inmates not receiving correctional education, with a 95 percent confidence interval of 1.07 to 1.20.
1.1 odds ratio
Federal FSA: time credits applied toward prerelease custody or supervised release Legal fact
Time credits earned by federal prisoners who successfully participate in recidivism reduction programs or productive activities shall be applied toward time in prerelease custody or supervised release, with the Director of the Bureau of Prisons transferring eligible prisoners into prerelease custody or supervised release.
Source
Mississippi minimum-time-served exceptions Legal fact
Mississippi's minimum-time-served floor on early release does not apply to offenders sentenced to life imprisonment, habitual offenders, offenders serving a sentence for a sex offense, or offenders serving a sentence for trafficking under Section 41-29-139(f).
78.19% of eligible BOP population participating in FSA activity as of April 29, 2023 Statistic
As of April 29, 2023, 78.19% of the BOP population eligible to earn time credits were taking part in an FSA activity.
78.2%
New York: merit time tied to earned eligibility program and GED Legal fact
New York's merit time allowance may be granted when an incarcerated individual successfully participates in the assigned work and treatment program under the earned eligibility program and obtains a general equivalency diploma, among other qualifying achievements.
BOP interim final rule removes arrival-date parenthetical Legal fact
BOP's interim final rule revised § 523.42(a) to provide that an eligible inmate begins earning FSA Time Credits after the inmate's term of imprisonment commences, removing the prior rule's parenthetical defining that date as when the inmate arrives or voluntarily surrenders at the designated Bureau facility.
Ohio 90-day program completion credit Legal fact
Under Ohio's earned-credit statute, a person who successfully completes certain programs, such as an Ohio high school diploma or equivalence, a therapeutic drug community program, or a career technical vocational school program, earns ninety days of credit toward satisfaction of the person's stated prison term or a ten per cent reduction of the term.
RRRI-sentenced inmates reincarcerated at higher rates across follow-ups Finding
Pennsylvania DOC's RRRI evaluation found that inmates entering PA DOC with a RRRI minimum sentence were reincarcerated at significantly higher rates than a matched comparison group at three follow-up periods: the 1-year rate was 21.7% compared to 19.7%, the 3-year rate was 41.8% versus 37.1%, and the 5-year rate was 44.9% versus 37.3%.
Tennessee SB 2248 became law without signature May 9, 2022 Legal fact
Tennessee's "Truth in Sentencing" bill, SB 2248, became law when Governor Bill Lee refused to veto it, allowing it to become law without his signature on May 9, 2022.
California approved rehabilitation programming definition Legal fact
Under California's program credit statute, approved rehabilitation programming includes, but is not limited to, academic programs, vocational programs, vocational training, and core programs such as anger management and social life skills, and substance abuse programs.
Texas state jail: judge may credit up to 20% for diligent participation, discretionary Policy
Under Texas's State Jail Diligent Participation Credit program, the sentencing judge may credit up to 20% of a state jail offender's sentence for days served while diligently participating in a program and not subject to disciplinary action, and the judge is not required to give credit for each or any day of diligent participation.
Florida SB 1572 died in committee Finding
A Florida Senate bill to revise gain-time provisions died in the Senate Criminal Justice committee on 3/8/2024.
GDC's FY2018 GEDs were 28% of all Georgia GEDs Statistic
GDC's 3,017 FY2018 GEDs were 28% of all GEDs awarded in the state of Georgia.
28%
FY2024 CTHE completions breakdown Statistic
GDC's FY2024 CTHE Completions totaled 45,754, comprising 19,292 On-The-Job Training, 2,960 Post-Secondary, 19,080 Skills Trainings, and 4,422 Vocational completions.
45,754 completions
Massachusetts earned-time cap and violent-offense eligibility Legal fact
The Vera Institute report states that Massachusetts authorizes up to 15 days per month of earned-time credit, with the total reduction capped at 35 percent of a person's minimum sentence, and all incarcerated people, including those convicted of violent offenses, are eligible to earn time.
2024 HB: additional credit under R.S. 15:828, sex offense exclusion Legal fact
Under Louisiana's House Bill enacted in the 2nd Extraordinary Session (enrolled), an offender may earn an additional diminution of sentence as provided in R.S. 15:828, but this does not apply to any person convicted of a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541.
Source
House Bill 70518 amends O.C.G.A. § 42-8-38 on probation violations Legal fact
A Georgia House Bill is described as an Act to amend Code Section 42-8-38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to arrest or graduated sanctions for probationers violating terms, hearing, disposition of charge, and procedure when probation is revoked in a county other than that of conviction.
CDCR recidivism report does not systematically evaluate Prop. 57 effectiveness Finding
The Criminal Justice Legal Foundation's critique argues that CDCR's recidivism report, which showed a slight decrease in three-year re-conviction rates, does not systematically evaluate Prop. 57's effectiveness in a way that could justify concluding the decrease was caused by the enhanced credits, calling CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber's conclusory statements premature.
Source
RAND: average direct cost of correctional education per inmate $1,400-$1,744 Statistic
RAND estimated that the average direct cost of correctional education programs per inmate participant was between $1,400 and $1,744.
$1,400 vs. 1,744 upper bound
Federal FSA: ineligibility for time credits with final removal order Legal fact
A federal prisoner is ineligible to apply time credits if the prisoner is the subject of a final order of removal under any provision of the immigration laws.
Source
Mississippi HB 585 sponsors Legal fact
Mississippi HB 585 (2014), sponsored by Representatives Gipson, Dixon, Snowden and Taylor, provided that no person convicted on or after July 1, 2014 shall be released until serving at least 50% of a sentence for a crime of violence or 25% of any other sentence, notwithstanding the earned-time and trusty-time statutes.
Louisiana: 26.8% of releases overdetained Jan-Apr 2022; cost at least $850,000 Statistic
The U.S. Department of Justice's investigation found that between January and April 2022, 26.8% of all people released from Louisiana DPSC/LDOC custody were overdetained, and in that four-month period the cost of overdetention to LDOC was at least $850,000.
26.8% vs. 850,000 cost in dollars
New York: Merit Time releases 7.5 points less likely to return within 3 years Statistic
The NYC Comptroller's Office estimated that individuals released from prison under New York's Merit Time program are 7.5 percentage points less likely to have returned to prison within three years.
7.5%
BOP interim final rule addresses foreign transfers Legal fact
BOP's interim final rule's second change addresses the eligibility of prisoners transferred to BOP custody from foreign countries to earn Time Credits.
Ohio 8% aggregate earned credit cap Legal fact
Ohio law caps the aggregate days of earned credit under the program/activity-participation and completion provisions at eight percent of the total number of days in a person's stated prison term, for persons other than those completing the enumerated ninety-day programs.
Alabama Executive Order 725 on good time standards Policy
Governor Kay Ivey signed Executive Order 725 to promote public safety by establishing standards and accountability for Correctional Incentive Time, better known as Good Time, and the order allows for uniform standards for loss of Good Time to be enforced.
RRRI-certified inmates reincarcerated at lower rates across follow-ups Finding
Pennsylvania DOC's RRRI evaluation found that for inmates who were RRRI-certified, reincarceration rates were significantly lower than the comparison group at three follow-up periods: the 6-month rate was 7.3% versus 8.7%, the 1-year rate was 14.9% versus 17.5%, and the 3-year rate was 29.8% versus 35.0%.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton most vocal proponent of Tennessee Truth in Sentencing Finding
The most vocal proponent of Tennessee's Truth in Sentencing bill was House Speaker Cameron Sexton.
California program credits forfeitable; no credit causing overdue release Legal fact
Under California's program credit statute, credits may be forfeited under the code's general credit-forfeiture provision, and inmates are not eligible for program credits that would result in an inmate being overdue for release.
Texas: general parole eligibility at one-fourth of sentence or 15 years, whichever less Legal fact
Under Texas Government Code § 508.145(f), except as provided by Section 508.146, an inmate not otherwise specifically covered is eligible for release on parole when the inmate's actual calendar time served plus good conduct time equals one-fourth of the sentence imposed or 15 years, whichever is less.
Pew: shorter terms without public safety impact Finding
A Pew analysis using risk analysis applied to nonviolent offenders in Florida, Maryland, and Michigan found that a significant proportion of nonviolent offenders released in 2004 could have served shorter prison terms without impacting public safety.
Source
GDC had 9,890 on-the-job training and vocational completions in FY2018 Statistic
GDC had 9,890 on-the-job training and vocational program completions in FY2018, an increase of more than 3,000 completions from the previous year.
9,890 completions vs. 3,000 increase from previous year
WSIPP: felony recidivism decreased 3.5 percent for early release offenders Statistic
WSIPP found that over the three-year follow-up, the felony recidivism rate of early release offenders under Washington's increased earned release law was decreased by 3.5 percent compared with similar offenders who stayed in prison 63 days longer.
3.5%
Statewide Georgia GEDs earned in FY2024 Statistic
GDC's FY2024 Inmate Services Impact Report states that the entire state of Georgia had 7,677 GEDs earned in FY24, including technical colleges, Department of Juvenile Justice and others.
7,677 GEDs
Kansas program credit cap of 120 days Legal fact
Kansas's good time and program credits statute limits the amount of time which can be earned and retained by an inmate for the successful completion of programs and subtracted from any sentence to not more than 120 days.
Source
Indiana credit-class structure for violent offenses Finding
The Vera Institute report states that Indiana's credit-class structure is one of the country's most generous earned-time frameworks available to people convicted of violent offenses, where people in credit class A earn day-for-day conduct credit, reducing their sentences by as much as 50 percent, while those in Class B (including murder) earn one day of credit for every three days served, a 33 percent reduction.
2024 HB repeals R.S. 15:571.3(C),(D), 574.6.1, Art. 895.6 Legal fact
Louisiana's House Bill enacted in the 2nd Extraordinary Session repealed R.S. 15:571.3(C) and (D), R.S. 574.6.1, and Code of Criminal Procedure Article 895.6 in their entirety.
Source
§ 42-5-101 authorizes work incentive credits for non-life felony terms Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-5-101 states the Department of Corrections is authorized to devise and provide by agency rule a system of work incentive credits awarded to persons committed to its custody for any felony prison term other than life imprisonment.
No match for earned time terms in Georgia Special Council report Data gap
Searched Report of the Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform for Georgians at the Digital Library of Georgia for 'earned time', 'incentive credit', 'compliance credit', 'good time', 'Performance Incentive Credit' and 'PIC', with no match.
RAND meta-analysis: only two RCTs, both Sandhills Vocational Delivery System Experiment Methodology note
RAND's meta-analysis found that only two studies providing recidivism effect sizes used a well-executed randomized controlled trial design (Maryland SMS Level 5), both evaluating the Sandhills Vocational Delivery System Experiment.
Federal FSA: BOP guidelines for reduction of rewards/incentives Legal fact
The Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall develop guidelines for the reduction of rewards and incentives earned for prisoners who violate prison rules or evidence-based recidivism reduction program or productive activity rules.
Source
Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal of FSA time-credit accrual habeas petition Legal fact
The Fifth Circuit, reviewing a federal prisoner's habeas challenge to when his FSA time credits began to accrue, affirmed the district court's dismissal of the petition.
New York: Earned Time Act projected 12,000 sentence reductions, 49,000 years freed Statistic
The NYC Comptroller's Office estimated that under New York's proposed Earned Time Act, 12,000 individuals will earn sentence reductions, gaining in aggregate 49,000 years free from prison.
12,000 individuals vs. 49,000 aggregate years free from prison
Average time served under FSA vs. pre-FSA Statistic
A Council on Criminal Justice report found that individuals released under the First Step Act in 2023 served an average of 82.1 percent of their imposed prison terms, compared to 89.7 percent for similar individuals released before the FSA.
82.1% vs. 89.7 pre-FSA average percent of sentence served
Oklahoma class-level earned credit schedule Policy
Under Oklahoma's earned-credit system, inmates assigned Class Level 1 earn 0 credits per month, Class Level 2 earn 22 credits per month, Class Level 3 earn 33 credits per month, Class Level 4 earn 44 credits per month, Enhanced Class Level 3 earn 45 credits per month, and Enhanced Class Level 4 earn 60 credits per month.
Alabama good time bill named for Deputy Brad Johnson Case detail
An Alabama bill reforming correctional incentive time ('good time') was sponsored by Sen. April Weaver and was named for Deputy Brad Johnson, who was killed in a shootout with a man who was erroneously released on good time despite previously escaping from prison for several months and assaulting a correctional officer.
RRRI recidivism figures paint a mixed picture Finding
Pennsylvania DOC's RRRI evaluation concluded that recidivism figures for RRRI paint a mixed picture: RRRI sentenced inmates appear to have higher reincarceration rates across the board, but the RRRI certified group have lower rates.
Tennessee 2022 Truth in Sentencing: 100% service, no release eligibility for enumerated offenses Legal fact
Under Tennessee's 2022 Truth in Sentencing bill, a person committing an enumerated offense on or after July 1, 2022 will have no release eligibility and will serve 100 percent of the sentence imposed by the court undiminished by any sentence reduction credits the person may be eligible for or earn.
California failed to meet rehabilitative needs for 62% of at-risk releases Statistic
The California State Auditor found that Corrections (CDCR) had neither consistently placed inmates on waiting lists for needed rehabilitation programs nor prioritized those with the highest need correctly, contributing to Corrections' failure to meet any of the rehabilitative needs for 62 percent of the inmates released in fiscal year 2017-18 who had been assessed as at risk to recidivate.
62%
Texas: '3g' and organized-crime offenses require one-half of sentence or 30 years without good time Legal fact
Under Texas Government Code § 508.145(d)(2), an inmate serving a sentence for certain offenses listed under Article 42A.054 ('3g' offenses) or organized-crime offenses is not eligible for release on parole until the inmate's actual calendar time served, without consideration of good conduct time, equals one-half of the sentence or 30 calendar years, whichever is less.
Pew: $10 billion cost of additional time Statistic
Pew found that for offenders released from state prisons in 2009, the additional time behind bars relative to their original commitment cost states over $10 billion, with more than half of this cost attributable to nonviolent offenders.
$10B
Source
RSAT program had more than 2,500 graduates in FY2018 Statistic
GDC's Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program had more than 2,500 graduates in FY2018, with a completion rate that increased by six percent over the prior three fiscal years, within almost 2,500 RSAT beds.
2,500 graduates
WSIPP: no significant change in violent felony recidivism Finding
WSIPP found there were no statistically significant differences between the study groups for violent felony recidivism for any of the matching procedures, meaning violent recidivism for these offenders has not changed as a result of the implementation of ESSB 5990.
FY2025 GEDs earned and share of statewide GEDs Statistic
In FY2025, GDC's Academic Education programming resulted in 1,395 GEDs earned, representing 18% of the total GEDs awarded statewide, with a 14.93% increase in the GED Math passing rate.
1,395 GEDs vs. 18 percent of statewide GEDs
Kansas program credits exclude sex offender treatment Legal fact
Kansas's good time and program credits statute establishes a system whereby program credits may be earned by inmates for the successful completion of requirements for a general education diploma, a technical or vocational training program, a substance abuse treatment program or any other program designated by the secretary, but program credits shall not be earned by any offender successfully completing a sex offender treatment program.
Source
New Jersey 85 percent requirement for violent crimes Legal fact
The Vera Institute report states that under N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:43-7.2, people serving time for most violent crimes in New Jersey are ineligible for release before they have served 85 percent of their sentences, including murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, aggravated sexual assault, weapons trafficking, kidnapping, and carjacking.
HB 10 of 2024 2nd Extraordinary Session scope Legal fact
Louisiana House Bill 10 of the 2024 Second Extraordinary Session amended R.S. 15:571.5(C), enacted R.S. 15:571.3(G) and 571.3.1, and repealed R.S. 15:571.3(C) and (D), 574.6.1, and Code of Criminal Procedure Article 895.6, relating to eligibility for good time credits, elimination of earned compliance credits while on probation or parole, and earning of additional good time credit through program participation and completion.
Source
Work incentive credits recognize education, work, and behavior Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-5-101 states work incentive credits may be awarded to recognize institutional attainments in academic or vocational education, satisfactory performance of work assignments, and compliance with behavior standards, and that the department may award up to one day of credit for each day of participation in approved educational or other counseling programs.
No match for program completion terms in Georgia regulation Data gap
Searched Ga Comp R Regs R 475 3 .05 at law.cornell.edu for 'program completion', 'educational program', 'completion of programming' and 'Transitional Center', with no match.
Maryland: 5 days per month deduction for satisfactory work tasks Legal fact
Under Maryland's Correctional Services Article, an incarcerated individual may be allowed a deduction of five days from the individual's term of confinement for each month during which the individual manifests satisfactory performance of assigned work tasks, with these credits awarded monthly for the previous month's participation.
Federal FSA: last listed ineligible offense is controlled-substance offense (lxviii) Legal fact
The last entry in the list of offenses making a federal prisoner ineligible for FSA time credits is item (lxviii), covering specified controlled-substance manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possession offenses under section 401(b)(1) of the Controlled Substances Act or section 1010(b) of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act.
Source
BOP definition: FSA time credits accrue after term of imprisonment commences at designated facility Policy
The Bureau of Prisons defined when an eligible inmate begins earning FSA Time Credits: they start to accrue after the inmate's term of imprisonment commences, defined as the date the inmate arrives or voluntarily surrenders at the designated BOP facility where the sentence will be served.
New York: Earned Time Act projected $494 million in wages for 6,100 returning individuals Statistic
The NYC Comptroller's Office estimated that under the proposed Earned Time Act, 6,100 returning individuals will gain employment, earning $494 million in wages over the time they would have been held in prison.
$494M vs. 6,100 returning individuals gaining employment
Distribution of release date advancements under FSA Statistic
A Council on Criminal Justice report found that in 2023, 92 percent of individuals released under the First Step Act had their release dates moved up by less than a year, with 41 percent seeing advancements of under three months, and only 5 percent experiencing larger advancements.
92%
Oklahoma achievement earned credits authorization Legal fact
Oklahoma law provides achievement earned credits for successful completion of agency-approved programs, including substance abuse, cognitive/behavioral, education, and vocational training programs, authorized under 57 O.S. 138, effective November 1, 1988.
Alabama good time reduction: 1,350 days to 225 days over two years Statistic
Based on Alabama's previous good-time law, a perfectly behaved incarcerated individual could be expected to earn 1,350 days of incentive time; under the newly enacted structure, the same inmate would earn just 225 days of incentive time in two years.
225 days vs. 1,350 previous days earned
19,517 offenders admitted with RRRI minimum, 27.2 percent of admissions Statistic
The PA DOC's RRRI annual report found that, since November 2008, an estimated 19,517 offenders were admitted to PA DOC custody with a RRRI minimum sentence date, representing 27.2% of all new PA DOC admissions.
19,517 offenders vs. 27.2 percent of all new PA DOC admissions
California OIG release date errors Statistic
The California Office of the Inspector General found that since 2004, CDCR has released approximately 2,300 incarcerated people from custody either early or late, resulting in litigation against the department.
2,300 people
Only 38% of assessed-need inmates completed or were assigned a program Statistic
The California State Auditor found that among inmates assessed as having rehabilitative needs, only 9,000, or 38 percent, completed or were assigned to a program at some point between October 2014 and the date the inmate was released from prison, meaning 62 percent of the inmates released in fiscal year 2017-18 who had been assessed as having rehabilitative needs and a risk of recidivating were released without any of these needs having been met.
38%
Utah: life-without-parole and Board-expired life sentences ineligible for earned time Policy
The Utah Department of Corrections states that individuals with a life without parole sentence, or who have been ordered to expire a life sentence by the Board, are not eligible for earned time credit, and the Board may order forfeiture of earned time credits for a major disciplinary infraction, new charges, or if the Board sets a rescission hearing.
Pew: 36% longer time served Trend
Pew found that offenders released in 2009 served an average of almost three years in custody, nine months or 36 percent longer than offenders released in 1990.
Source
FY2018 cognitive programming: 55,989 enrolled, 37,099 completions Statistic
In FY2018, 55,989 inmates enrolled in Cognitive Programming courses and there were 37,099 completions in 13 different Cognitive Programming courses.
55,989 enrollees vs. 37,099 completions
Washington DOC erroneously released over 3,000 inmates early over 13 years Case detail
The governor's investigative report found that over 13 years the Washington State Department of Corrections had been releasing certain prison inmates earlier than their sentences allowed, and on December 22, 2015, Governor Inslee notified the public that DOC had erroneously released more than 3,000 inmates earlier than they should have been released.
FY2025 CTHE completions breakdown Statistic
GDC's FY2025 Career, Technical and Higher Education Completions totaled 41,930, comprising 20,137 On-The-Job Training, 402 GCI On-The-Job Training, 2,356 Post-Secondary, 15,130 Skills Trainings, 4,307 Vocational, 31 Associate Degrees, and 12 Bachelor Degrees.
41,930 completions
Kentucky 90-day educational credit per diploma, degree, or program Legal fact
Kentucky's educational good time law requires that a person convicted and sentenced to a state penal institution shall receive a credit on his or her sentence for successfully receiving a High School Equivalency Diploma, high school diploma, college degree, completed vocational or technical education program, or correspondence postsecondary education program resulting in a diploma or degree, in the amount of ninety (90) days per diploma, degree, or technical education program completed.
New Jersey commutation credit rate and violent-crime exclusion Legal fact
The Vera Institute report states that under N.J. Rev. Stat. § 30:4-140, New Jersey's commutation credit is automatically applied at a rate of 7 to 16 days a month, applied to the minimum and maximum sentences, with the longer deductions applying to longer sentences, capped at the 30-year rate, but good time does not apply to most violent crimes until people have served 85 percent of their sentences.
15% cap on automatic good time for post-Aug 2024 offenses Legal fact
Louisiana's good time statute for offenses committed on or after August 1, 2024 caps automatic good time (diminution of sentence for good behavior) at 15% of the sentence imposed, and excludes sex offenders and habitual offenders from earning it.
Work incentive credits reported to Parole Board Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-5-101 states any work incentive credits awarded shall be reported by the department to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, which shall consider them when making a final parole release decision, and the department may recommend the board apply the credits to advance an established tentative parole release date.
Maryland: 5 days per month deduction for program participation Legal fact
Under Maryland's Correctional Services Article, an incarcerated individual may be allowed a deduction of five days from the individual's term of confinement for each month during which the individual manifests satisfactory progress in or completion of vocational courses, other educational and training courses, workforce development training, cognitive-behavioral therapy, substance abuse therapy, life skills training, or antiviolence therapy including anger management and conflict resolution.
Federal FSA: loss of time credits requires written notice, limited to earned credits Legal fact
Under 18 U.S.C. § 3632(e), any reduction in incentives that includes the loss of time credits earned under the First Step Act program requires written notice to the prisoner, is limited to time credits earned as of the date of the rule violation, and does not include any future time credits the prisoner may earn.
Source
Fifth Circuit petitioner accrued 1,205 program days and 570 FSA credits; 365 applied to release date Case detail
The prisoner in the Fifth Circuit case had, as of October 15, 2024, accrued 1,205 program days and 570 FSA time credits, of which 365 were applied to reduce his release date.
First Circuit: BOP regulation on sentence commencement conflicts with FSA text; vacated dismissal Legal fact
The First Circuit, finding the BOP regulation's view of when a sentence commences plainly conflicts with the text of the First Step Act, vacated the dismissal of the prisoner's habeas petition and remanded for further proceedings.
New York: modeled 46% merit time participation rate (4,450 of 9,587 in 2006) Methodology note
The NYC Comptroller's modeled participation rate of 46% for New York's merit time program is based on 4,450 individuals who received merit time hearings in 2006 divided by 9,587 individuals newly committed on merit-time eligible charges that year.
Senate vote on First Step Act Legal fact
On the motion to concur in the House amendment with an amendment to S. 756 (First Step Act of 2018), the Senate voted 87 Yeas to 12 Nays on December 18, 2018, and the motion was agreed to.
Oklahoma 85% crimes earned credit restriction Legal fact
Under Oklahoma's 21 O.S. 13.1, offenders who commit certain listed crimes (including Murder I, Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Rape I, Arson I, Burglary I, and other listed offenses) committed on or after March 1, 2000 must serve 85% of their sentence of imprisonment before becoming eligible for parole consideration and are not eligible for earned credits or any type of credit that might reduce the sentence below 85% served; inmates are eligible to earn credits during the first 85% of the sentence, but said credits will not be applied towards the sentence until the inmate has served 85% of the sentence.
Alabama Class I good time cut from 75 to 30 days Legal fact
Under Alabama's previous good-time law, Class I prisoners earned 75 days of good time for every 30 days served; a newly enacted law cuts that down to 30 days.
California OIG manual calculation risk Finding
The California Office of the Inspector General found that since May 2021 analysts have had to perform manual calculations because numerous revisions in laws and policy caused CDCR to discontinue using calculation software that could not be modified to accommodate the revisions, increasing the risk of errors in release date calculations.
Tennessee House passed companion bill 86-9 Legal fact
The Tennessee House companion bill to the 2022 Truth in Sentencing Act passed the House with 86 ayes and 9 nays on 04/21/2022.
CBT completers recidivated at about same rate as non-completers Finding
The California State Auditor's report concludes that inmates who completed in-prison cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs recidivated at about the same rate as inmates who did not complete the programs.
Utah: earned time program requires at least four months credit per program, up to two programs Legal fact
Utah's earned time program statute directs the Board of Pardons and Parole to establish an earned time program that provides not less than four months of earned time credit each for the completion of up to two board-approved programs that are part of the offender's case action plan.
Florida education program recommitment reduction Statistic
An OPPAGA report states that Florida Department of Corrections data for Fiscal Year 1995-96 through Fiscal Year 2000-01 shows an over 14% reduction in recommitment rates for inmates earning GED diplomas or completing substance abuse programs, and a 24% reduction in recommitment for inmates who received vocational certificates.
14% vs. 24 percent reduction for vocational certificates
Ashland University partnership began FY2019 at three prisons Policy
GDC began a partnership with Ashland University in FY2019 to provide post-secondary education courses to offenders at Dooly State Prison, Smith State Prison, and Whitworth Women's Facility, with approximately 50 offenders at each site in the fall semester deemed eligible for the Federal Second Chance Pell Grant.
Washington earned release time composition and caps Policy
The governor's investigative report describes Washington's 'earned release time' as consisting of both good time credit (awarded to inmates who stay out of trouble) and earned release time awarded to offenders who participate in approved programs, including work and school, and states that for most criminal offenses earned release time is capped at one-third of an offender's sentence, while for certain more serious offenses it is limited to ten or fifteen percent of the base sentence.
FY2025 total academic completions breakdown Statistic
GDC's FY2025 Total Academic Completions were 4,540, comprising Literacy/Remedial Reading 366, Adult Education 1,213, Foothills High School 16, GED Prep 1,550, and GED Testing 1,395.
4,540 completions
Kentucky up to 90 days credit per completed drug treatment or evidence-based program Legal fact
Kentucky's educational/program good-time statute allows a credit of not more than ninety (90) days for each program completed for successfully completing a drug treatment program, evidence-based program, or any other promising practice or life skills program approved by the department.
Ohio earned credit and offense-based exclusions Legal fact
The Vera Institute report's appendix table lists Ohio under Ohio Rev. Code §2967.193 (prior to April 4, 2024) as providing one or five days per month for participation in an education program or vocational training, with people not eligible for credits if serving a mandatory prison term, a prison term imposed for murder, crimes in which a firearm was used, some sex offenses, mandatory minimum drug offenses, corruption offenses, an offense of violence, or a prison term imposed for a sexually oriented offense.
Post-2024 program credits under R.S. 15:828, sex offense exclusion Legal fact
For crimes committed on or after August 1, 2024, Louisiana offenders may earn an additional diminution of sentence as provided in R.S. 15:828 (program credits), but this additional credit does not apply to anyone convicted of a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541.
Former § 42-5-101 repealed effective January 1, 1984 Legal fact
An editor's note to O.C.G.A. § 42-5-101 states that former Code Section 42-5-101, pertaining to the applicability of Code Section 42-5-100 to persons sentenced prior to July 1, 1976, was repealed by Ga. L. 1983, p. 1340, § 2, effective January 1, 1984.
Maryland: 60 days per educational program completed (40 days for violent crimes) Legal fact
In Maryland, in addition to any other deductions, an incarcerated individual may be allowed a deduction for completion of a specified educational program, with the applicable deduction being 60 days per program completed, or 40 days per program completed for an incarcerated individual serving a sentence for a crime of violence.
Federal FSA: procedure to restore lost time credits Legal fact
Under 18 U.S.C. § 3632(e), there must be a procedure to restore time credits that a federal prisoner lost as a result of a rule violation, based on the prisoner's individual progress after the date of the rule violation.
Source
First Circuit vacated dismissal of Miles' habeas petition and remanded Case detail
The First Circuit vacated the dismissal of Miles' habeas petition and remanded for further proceedings.
House vote on First Step Act Legal fact
On Roll Call 448, Bill Number S. 756 (First Step Act of 2018), a motion to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to House amendment, the House voted on December 20, 2018, with 358 yea, 36 nay, 0 present, and the status was Passed.
Oklahoma sentence projection formula Methodology note
Oklahoma's ODOC manual states that, assuming an inmate earns the highest level of earned credits when eligible, a total of 200 achievement credits, and no loss of credit through misconduct, sentence length in days multiplied by .40 (or .35 if enhanced-credit-level eligible) projects the approximate amount of time actually served.
Arizona earned release credit: 3 days per 7 for drug program completion Legal fact
Arizona's earned release credit statute awards three days of credit for every seven days served to a qualifying prisoner who has successfully completed a drug treatment program or other major self-improvement program provided by the department during the prisoner's term of imprisonment and has not previously been convicted of a violent or aggravated felony.
RRRI-sentenced recidivism not statistically different from comparison group Finding
The PA DOC's RRRI report found that overall recidivism rates for RRRI-sentenced inmates were not different from the comparison group at a statistically significant level, concluding the rates should be treated as equal, while the RRRI certified subgroup showed lower rates at a statistically significant level.
CDCR two-tiered Good Conduct Credit system Policy
CDCR announced that the streamlined two-tiered Good Conduct Credit earning system established in its May 2021 regulations permits incarcerated people serving time for violent offenses to earn 33.3%, or 50% if they are serving time for nonviolent offenses.
CDCR in-prison rehabilitation budget rose from $234M to $298M Statistic
The California State Auditor found that CDCR's budget for in-prison rehabilitation programs increased from $234 million in fiscal year 2013-14 to $298 million in fiscal year 2018-19.
$298M vs. 234 FY2013-14 rehabilitation budget (million dollars)
Virginia: maximum 4.5 sentence credits per 30 days for serious offenses Legal fact
Under Virginia Code § 53.1-202.3(A), a maximum of 4.5 sentence credits may be earned for each 30 days served on a sentence for a conviction for certain enumerated serious offenses including a Class 1 felony, and the earning of such credits is conditioned in part upon full participation in and cooperation with assigned programs.
Illinois EDSC award limits Legal fact
Illinois IDOC's Earned Discretionary Sentence Credit allows the Director to award up to 180 days of EDSC for individuals in custody serving a sentence of less than 5 years, and up to 365 days of EDSC for individuals serving a sentence of 5 years or longer.
Ashland University program expanded to three more prisons in January 2019 Policy
The Ashland University program expanded to Lee State Prison, Hancock State Prison, and Pulaski State Prison beginning the Spring Semester of January 2019.
Washington: no good time or earned release on mandatory minimum sentences Policy
The governor's investigative report states that an offender is not eligible for either good conduct time or earned release time on a mandatory minimum or enhanced sentence, and that such a sentence must be served in its entirety, day for day.
Academic Education reconviction reduction versus cost-neutral benchmark Statistic
GDC's Inmate Services Impact Report states that three-year felony reconviction fell from 30.08% in the general population to 22.58% among program participants in Academic Education programming, nearly three times the 1.9 to 2.6 percentage point improvement needed for programs to be cost-neutral for taxpayers.
22.6% vs. 30.1 percent general population reconviction
Kentucky forfeiture of sentencing credit for offenses or rule violations Legal fact
Under Kentucky's sentencing-credit statute, except for a sentencing credit awarded for prior confinement, the department may forfeit any sentencing credit previously earned by the prisoner or deny the right to earn future sentencing credit in any amount if, during the term of imprisonment, a prisoner commits any offense or violates the rules of the institution.
Count of states with sentence credits Statistic
NCSL's brief on sentence credits states that at least 42 states have sentence credits in place, with at least 33 states having statutorily established good time policies and 34 states having earned time laws.
42 states vs. 33 states with good time policies
Earned Compliance Credits: 30 days per compliant month Policy
Louisiana's Earned Compliance Credits (ECC) were a diminution-of-sentence policy established under JRI Act 280 that awarded 30 days off an individual's supervision term for every full calendar month of compliance with supervision conditions, allowing a person to reduce their supervision term by up to half.
1992 Legislature created PIC program Policy
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles' archived 'Parole Consideration & Eligibility' page states that in 1992 the Georgia Legislature passed a law creating an inmate performance incentive credit program (PIC), under which eligible inmates may have their Tentative Parole Month advanced a few months by satisfactory progress in education/treatment programs, work, and good behavior, with no limit on how much time can be added to a TPM for poor performance.
Maryland: total credits not to exceed 30 days per month Legal fact
Maryland law provides five days per month of diminution credit for participation in educational, vocational, or other training courses, with total credits not to exceed 30 days per month, plus 60 days per educational program completed.
Federal FSA: ineligibility for certain violent offenses Legal fact
A federal prisoner is ineligible to receive First Step Act time credits if serving a sentence for a conviction under certain listed provisions of law, including destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities, destruction of motor vehicles or motor vehicle facilities, drive-by shootings, arson within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, and assaulting certain officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
Source
Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act bars earned time for parole eligibility Legal fact
Mississippi's 'Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act' provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law, an inmate shall not be eligible to receive earned time, good time or any other administrative reduction of time which shall reduce the time necessary to be served for parole eligibility.
DOJ submitted third FSA report to Congress in April 2023; June 2024 report is fourth Finding
The Department of Justice's First Step Act Annual Report states that the Department submitted its third such report to Congress in April 2023, and describes itself as the fourth Annual Report.
2023 meta-analysis: prison education raises employment 1 point, earnings $700 Statistic
The NYC Comptroller's office cited a 2023 meta-analysis reviewing dozens of prison education programs finding that programming increases the portion of people employed after release by 1 percentage point and increases their average annual earnings by $700.
1% vs. 700 average annual earnings increase in dollars
Number of individuals released with FSA credits in 2023 Statistic
The U.S. Sentencing Commission received data from the Federal Bureau of Prisons on 18,009 individuals who were released from FBOP custody in calendar year 2023 after they earned and applied First Step Act time credits.
18,009 individuals
Oklahoma cessation of Good Conduct Achievement Credit Policy
As of November 1, 2020, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections ceased awarding earned credits for good behavior to inmates outside the class level system, after ODOC's legal team identified a potential issue with the agency's authority to award credits under the Good Conduct Achievement Credit program, and the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office gave preliminary guidance that awarding the credits has no legal basis.
Arizona earned release credit: drug treatment program condition Legal fact
Arizona's earned release credit statute conditions the three-days-for-seven rate on the prisoner having successfully completed a drug treatment program or other major self-improvement program provided by the department during the prisoner's term of imprisonment.
Rhode Island program participation credit up to five days per month plus thirty days on completion Legal fact
Rhode Island law provides that for each month a prisoner sentenced to imprisonment for more than one month, not under a life sentence, has participated faithfully in programs determined by the director to address the prisoner's individual needs related to criminal behavior, there may be deducted from the prisoner's sentence up to an additional five days a month; and whenever the prisoner has successfully completed such a program, there may be deducted up to an additional thirty days.
CDCR operational challenges from credit changes Finding
CDCR acknowledged that proposed changes to Good Conduct Credit earning created operational challenges and confusion among the incarcerated population and their families because they were getting release date calculations at the end of every month, instead of at the beginning of their sentence.
Tennessee fiscal note: $40,693,100 increased incarceration expenditures Statistic
A Tennessee fiscal note projected that a truth-in-sentencing bill would increase state expenditures by $40,693,100 for incarceration.
$40.7M USD
59.6% of CDCR releases earned at least one Prop 57 enhanced credit Statistic
Over half of individuals released by CDCR in a recent release cohort (59.6 percent) earned at least one of the three Proposition 57 enhanced credit earning types (EMC, MCC, or RAC).
59.6% vs. 57.7 share earning credit in FY2018-19 cohort (percent)
Virginia: earned sentence credits cannot reduce parole eligibility date Legal fact
Under Virginia Code § 53.1-202.3(G), notwithstanding any other provision of law, no portion of any earned sentence credits may be applied to reduce the period of time a person must serve before becoming eligible for parole upon any sentence.
Illinois bachelor's degree credit Legal fact
Illinois law requires an additional 180 days of sentence credit to be awarded to any prisoner who obtains a bachelor's degree while committed to the Department of Corrections.
FY2019: more than 3,000 high school diplomas and equivalencies awarded Statistic
In FY2019 GDC's Academic Education Unit exceeded its goal by awarding more than 3,000 high school diplomas and equivalencies.
3,000 diplomas/equivalencies
As many as 3,200 Washington offenders released early due to good time errors Case detail
Washington state officials said as many as 3,200 convicted offenders were mistakenly released too early from Washington state prisons because of errors in calculating good time credit, with mistakes occurring over 13 years.
Four RSAT centers listed in FY2025 report Policy
GDC's Inmate Services Impact Report lists four Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Centers for Offenders: Coastal RSAT, Johnson RSAT (A), Johnson RSAT (B), and Pulaski RSAT.
Kentucky educational good time statute amendment history Legal fact
Kentucky's educational good time statute was last amended effective April 7, 2021, following earlier amendments in 2019, 2017, and 2014.
States with one-time versus ongoing program credits Statistic
NCSL's brief states that at least 10 states provide earned-time credits based on completion of a program that can only be earned once, while another 14 states provide credits on an ongoing basis for program participation, and at least seven states have both opportunities.
10 states vs. 14 states with ongoing program credits
JRI good time releases not higher return rate Finding
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor found that inmates released based on Justice Reinvestment Initiative good time changes do not appear to return to custody at a higher rate than the overall return rate.
Parole-eligible inmates excluded from PIC Policy
The archived Parole Board page lists life sentences, inmates with a TPM already set at one-third of sentence, inmates sentenced to two years or less, and inmates with no TPM set (parole denied) as categories of parole-eligible inmates not eligible for the Performance Incentive Credit program.
Three states do not allow sentence credits; Wisconsin only for local facilities Finding
Three states, Hawaii, Michigan, and Montana, do not allow sentence credits, and Wisconsin allows sentence credits only for individuals who are incarcerated in local facilities.
Federal: BOP may transfer to supervised release up to 12 months early based on time credits Legal fact
The Director of the Bureau of Prisons may transfer an eligible federal prisoner to begin supervised release at an earlier date, not to exceed 12 months, based on the application of earned time credits.
Source
Mississippi SB 2795 sponsors and purpose Legal fact
Mississippi Senate Bill 2795, titled the 'Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act,' was introduced by Senators Barnett, Jackson (11th), Sparks, Butler, Wiggins, Jackson (32nd), and Simmons (13th) to amend Section 47-7-3 of the Mississippi Code to prescribe conditions for parole eligibility.
As of January 27, 2024: 6,875 in RRC/home confinement via FSA credits; ~32,508 in custody expected earlier release Statistic
As of January 27, 2024, an estimated 6,875 individuals had been placed in an RRC or home confinement with a projected release method based on the application of earned time credits, and approximately 32,508 individuals currently in secured custody were expected to receive an earlier release date or transfer to prerelease custody based on the application of earned time credits.
6,875 individuals vs. 32,508 individuals in secured custody expected earlier release
Drug trafficking offense rate among FSA credit recipients vs. ineligible Statistic
The U.S. Sentencing Commission found that individuals who applied FSA time credits were twice as likely to have been serving a sentence for a drug trafficking offense as compared to statutorily ineligible individuals, 57.0% versus 29.6%.
57% vs. 29.6 percent of ineligible individuals with drug trafficking offense
Oklahoma earned compliance credits recommendation Policy
The Oklahoma Justice Reform Task Force's Final Report recommended establishing a system of earned compliance credits for supervised probationers and parolees complying with conditions and engaged in programming addressing criminogenic needs, with each month of compliance on supervision resulting in 30 days of credit.
Arizona earned release credit: default 1 day per 6 Legal fact
Arizona's earned release credit statute sets the default rate at one day of credit for every six days served for a prisoner sentenced for an offense not eligible for the enhanced drug-program rate.
Rhode Island institutional industries credit of two to five days per month Legal fact
Rhode Island law provides that for each month a prisoner sentenced to more than one month, not under a life sentence, has faithfully engaged in institutional industries, there shall be deducted from the prisoner's sentence an additional two to five days a month.
California Penal Code 2933.05 program credit privilege Legal fact
California Penal Code Section 2933.05 states that program credit is a privilege, not a right, and prisoners shall have a reasonable opportunity to participate in program credit qualifying assignments in a manner consistent with institutional security and available resources.
Tennessee sentence credits not earned in maximum security or punitive segregation Legal fact
Tennessee Code § 41-21-236(a)(7) states that sentence credits shall not be earned or credited to any inmates classified as maximum security or being held in punitive segregation.
Three-year conviction rate 35.8% for credit earners vs 44.0% for non-earners Statistic
CDCR found that the three-year conviction rate for individuals with Proposition 57 enhanced credit earnings (35.8 percent) was 8.2 percentage points lower than the rate for individuals with no enhanced credit earnings (44.0 percent), with the credit-earner rate having decreased by 3.4 percentage points from 39.2 percent between release cohorts.
35.8% vs. 44 three-year conviction rate for non-credit earners (percent)
Virginia: Level I credits deduct 15 days per 30 served Legal fact
Under Virginia Code § 53.1-202.3(B)(1), Level I sentence credits deduct 15 days from the person's sentence for every 30 days served and are awarded to persons who participate in and cooperate with all assigned programs, with no more than one minor correctional infraction and no serious correctional infractions.
Illinois master's/professional degree credit Legal fact
Illinois law awards an additional 180 days of sentence credit to a prisoner who obtains a master's or professional degree while committed to the Department of Corrections.
FY2019 cognitive programming: 74,457 enrolled, 51,987 completed Statistic
In FY2019, 74,457 GDC inmates were enrolled in cognitive programming due to assessed need, and 51,987 completed an identified needs-based cognitive program.
74,457 enrollees vs. 51,987 completions
About 3% of Washington releases given excessive good time credits Statistic
About 3% of all Washington releases were given excessive 'good time' credits, according to officials.
3%
FY2019 academic completions and diplomas/equivalencies Statistic
In FY2019, GDC reported 9,665 academic completions including Literacy/Remedial Reading, Adult and Basic Education, and high school diploma and equivalent courses, and 3,021 students earned high school diplomas and equivalencies.
9,665 academic completions vs. 3,021 students earning diplomas/equivalencies
Kentucky good-behavior credit up to 10 days/month and meritorious-service credit up to 7 days/month Legal fact
Kentucky law allows discretionary good-behavior credit of not exceeding 10 days for each month served, and meritorious-service credit awarded at the commissioner's discretion of not more than 7 days per month.
Colorado HB 1037 (2023) expanded degree-based earned time Finding
NCSL's brief states that Colorado's 2023 legislation (HB 1037) expanded earned time to include 18 months of credit for a master's degree, two years for a doctoral degree, one year for an associate or baccalaureate degree, and six months for a certificate or credential requiring at least 30 credit hours to complete.
JRI projected 10% population reduction, $262M savings Statistic
The Louisiana Governor's office projected the Justice Reinvestment package would reduce the prison population by 10% and save $262 million over the next decade, with 70% of these savings, an estimated $184 million, reinvested into programs and policies proven to reduce recidivism and support crime victims.
$262M vs. 184 reinvested (million dollars)
TPM conditioned on good conduct and program completion Policy
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles' current 'Inmate TPM Lookup' page states that the Tentative Parole Month 'is conditioned on good conduct in prison, and possibly on successful completion of a drug, alcohol, or sex-offender counseling program, or other pre-condition.'
Utah: minimum 4 months earned credit per program, up to 2 programs Legal fact
Utah law provides a minimum of 4 months of earned credit for completion of one program identified in a case action plan, and an incarcerated individual may earn credit for up to 2 programs, with the parole board having discretion to award additional time.
Federal: up to 54 days credit per year for sentences over 1 year Legal fact
A federal prisoner serving a term of imprisonment of more than 1 year, other than a term of imprisonment for the duration of the prisoner's life, may receive credit toward the service of the prisoner's sentence of up to 54 days for each year of the prisoner's sentence imposed by the court.
Source
Mississippi proposed 47-7-3.2 minimums Legal fact
Under Mississippi's proposed amendment to 47-7-3.2, no person convicted after June 30, 1995 shall be released until serving no less than 25% of a sentence for a nonviolent crime, or 50% or 20 years, whichever is less, of a sentence for a crime of violence under Section 97-3-2 (except robbery with a deadly weapon) if sentenced after June 30, 1995 and before July 1, 2014.
BOP general male recidivism tool: 9.6% minimum-risk vs 77.5% high-risk recidivated in 3 years Statistic
In BOP's general male recidivism tool, 9.6 percent of those rated as minimum-risk recidivated during the three-year follow-up period, compared to 77.5 percent in the high-risk group.
9.6% vs. 77.5 high-risk recidivism percent
Average FSA time credits earned by study cohort Statistic
The U.S. Sentencing Commission found that 17,465 individuals in its FSA release study earned 10.3 months of First Step Act time credits on average, accounting for 16.9% of their imposed sentences, and on average earned 7.4 months of credits toward early placement onto supervised release, accounting for 14.2% of their imposed sentences.
10.3 months
Oklahoma monthly term reduction statute Legal fact
Oklahoma's earned-credit statute provides that every inmate of a state correctional institution shall have their term of imprisonment reduced monthly based upon the class level to which they are assigned, with each earned credit equivalent to one day of incarceration, and no deductions credited to any inmate serving a sentence of life imprisonment.
Arizona earned release credit: drug offense eligibility Legal fact
Arizona law grants an earned release credit of three days for every seven days served to a prisoner sentenced for possession or use of marijuana, a dangerous drug, or a narcotic drug who has successfully completed a drug treatment program or other major self-improvement program and has not previously been convicted of a violent or aggravated felony.
South Carolina educational credit requires program participation and excludes violent crimes Legal fact
Under South Carolina Code § 24-13-230(F), an individual is eligible for the educational credits provided for in that section only upon successful participation in an academic, technical, or vocational training program, and that educational credit is not available to any individual convicted of a violent crime as defined in Section 16-1-60.
California Penal Code 2933.05 approved programming definition Legal fact
California Penal Code Section 2933.05 defines "approved rehabilitation programming" to include, but not be limited to, academic programs, vocational programs, vocational training, and core programs such as anger management and social life skills, and substance abuse programs.
Colorado earned time for degrees: 18 months master's, 2 years doctoral Legal fact
Colorado's earned time statute awards, for an inmate sentenced for a nonviolent felony offense, eighteen months of earned time for a master's degree, two years of earned time for a doctoral degree, one year of earned time for an associate degree or a baccalaureate degree, and six months of earned time for a certificate or other credential requiring completion of at least thirty credit hours.
Virginia: Level IV awards no sentence credits for willful non-participation Legal fact
Under Virginia Code § 53.1-202.3(B)(4), no sentence credits are awarded to persons classified in Level IV, which applies to a person who willfully fails to participate in or cooperate with all assigned programs, job assignments, and educational curriculums, or who causes substantial security or operational problems at the correctional facility.
Illinois truth-in-sentencing credit reduction Legal fact
Illinois law provides that a prisoner subject to the 85% truth-in-sentencing requirement may receive sentence credit at a rate reduced to 60% if the prisoner is required to serve 75% of his or her sentence, except that a prisoner serving a sentence for gunrunning shall not have his or her sentence reduced to less than 75%.
Median 49 days early for mistakenly released Washington inmates Statistic
The median number of days that Washington inmates were mistakenly released early is 49 days, officials said.
49 days
Faith and Character Based program reconviction rates Statistic
GDC's Annual Report states that the reconviction rates for offenders who completed the Faith and Character Based program were 8.85% at a 3-year rate and 13.65% at a 5-year rate for all facilities providing the program.
8.9% vs. 13.7 percent 5-year reconviction
Kentucky violent offenders barred from most credits but eligible for educational credit, with 85% floor Legal fact
Under Kentucky's amendment to KRS 197.045, a violent offender is barred from most sentence credits but is excepted for 'the educational credit,' though in no event may a violent offender be given credit on his sentence if the credit reduces the term of imprisonment to less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the sentence.
Source
Utah incarceration days reduced by earned time Statistic
NCSL's brief states that Utah's earned time policy for completion of programs resulted in a decrease of 106,578 incarceration days after the first year of implementation in 2016, and more than 54,000 days cut in each of the four subsequent fiscal years.
106,578 incarceration days vs. 54,000 days cut in each subsequent fiscal year
Ten JRI bills passed with bipartisan majorities Finding
The Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Task Force's recommendations were developed into ten bills, sponsored by Republicans, Democrats, and an Independent, and all ten bills passed the Louisiana Legislature with strong bipartisan majorities.
Over 800 inmates in county jails awaiting PDC beds Statistic
Pew's Georgia Public Safety Reform brief states that the state had more than 800 inmates housed in county jails awaiting beds at Probation Detention Centers (PDC).
800 inmates
Source
Indiana: educational credits up to 2 years for bachelor's degree Legal fact
Indiana law provides, by statute, up to 6 months of educational credit for completion of a literacy and basic life skills program, 6 months for a GED, 1 year for a high school diploma, up to 1 year for an associate's degree, up to 2 years for a bachelor's degree, and up to 1 year for an additional credential.
Federal: early supervised release transfer up to 12 months if court required supervised release Legal fact
If a sentencing court required a federal prisoner be placed on a term of supervised release after imprisonment, the BOP Director may transfer the prisoner to begin that supervised release at an earlier date, not to exceed 12 months, based on the application of earned time credits.
Source
Mississippi 274 unnecessary parole hearings in 2019 Statistic
PEER found that during 2019, Mississippi's State Parole Board conducted 274 unnecessary parole hearings for offenders who met the standards of presumptive parole authorized by Miss. Code Ann. § 47-7-18, a provision created by House Bill 585 of the 2014 Regular Session.
274 hearings
DOJ: no appreciable savings seen from FSA in interim; true recidivism analysis awaits FY2023 cohort tracking Finding
DOJ's First Step Act Annual Report states that a true recidivism analysis of FSA impacts should reflect full implementation of revised PATTERN 1.3 and SPARC-13, which would indicate review of the release cohort for FY 2023 and tracking those individuals after release for three years, and that in the interim, based on the data available, the Department has seen no appreciable savings.
Average FSA credits for dual-eligible group Statistic
The U.S. Sentencing Commission found that 6,858 individuals in its FSA release study earned credits toward both early placement onto supervised release and early placement into prerelease custody, earning 18.5 months of FSA time credits on average, accounting for 18.4% of their imposed sentences.
18.5 months
Oklahoma four class levels policy directive Legal fact
Oklahoma's earned-credit statute directs the Department of Corrections to develop written policy assigning inmates to one of four class levels, with guidelines for awarding credits for rehabilitation, obtaining job skills and educational enhancement, and participation in and completion of alcohol/chemical abuse programs.
Arkansas Criminal Justice Efficiency and Safety Act of 2017 (SB 136) Legal fact
Arkansas's Senate Bill 136 of 2017 was titled 'AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY ACT OF 2017' and was sponsored by Senator J. Hutchinson and Representatives Tucker and Shepherd.
South Carolina director determines credit amounts and may forfeit credits for rule violations Legal fact
Under South Carolina Code § 24-13-230(D), the South Carolina Department of Corrections director determines the amount of credit to be earned for each duty classification or enrollment, and if a prisoner commits an offense or violates an institution rule, all or part of the work credit or education credit earned may be forfeited.
California Penal Code 2933.05 ineligibility Legal fact
California Penal Code Section 2933.05 states that inmates shall not be eligible for program credits that result in an inmate overdue for release, and that any person serving a term of imprisonment for an offense specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 is not eligible for program credits under the section.
Colorado bars duplicate earned time for degree-credit milestones Legal fact
Colorado's earned time statute provides that the department shall not award earned time to an offender for completion of a milestone or phase of an educational, vocational, therapeutic, or reentry program if it is for completion of an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree or a certificate or other credential for which earned time is already deducted under the degree-credit subsection.
Virginia 2022: budget amendment stripped earned credits from 560 prisoners on eve of release Case detail
Just as the Virginia Department of Corrections was preparing to release 560 prisoners in July 2022, Governor Glenn Youngkin and state lawmakers stepped in with a budget amendment that stripped away earned sentence credits, leaving the prisoners in their cells.
Illinois program participation credit Legal fact
Under Illinois law, if an inmate can document more than 45 days of participation in eligible substance-abuse, educational, behavior-modification or similar programs, the inmate receives 90 days of sentence credit; otherwise the inmate receives 45 days of sentence credit.
FY2021 RSAT enrollments 1,586 with 89% completion rate Statistic
GDC's FY2021 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Facilities section reports an ENROLLMENTS figure of 1,586 and an 89% COMPLETION RATE.
1,586 enrollments vs. 89 completion rate (percent)
Two of 3,200 mistakenly released Washington inmates linked to killings Case detail
Two of the roughly 3,200 Washington inmates released by mistake due to the sentence calculation error were linked to killings: one arrested in a fatal shooting and another charged with vehicular homicide.
RSAT program size: almost 2,500 beds Statistic
GDC's mandated Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program is one of the largest in the country, with almost 2,500 beds.
2,500 beds
Kentucky 2022 recidivism rate 27.15%, historic low Statistic
Kentucky's 2022 recidivism rate declined to 27.15%, a historic low for the second year in a row, following a decrease from 44.56% to 43.00% in 2017.
27.2% vs. 44.6 2017 rate
Landry: system 'lost balance' on crime victims Finding
The Louisiana Legislature convened a special session at the request of newly seated Republican Governor Jeff Landry, who in a February 19 speech to lawmakers cited violent crime in the state's three largest cities as evidence that the criminal justice system in Louisiana had 'lost balance' and forgotten about crime victims.
Approximately 750 inmates in county jails awaiting RSAT beds Statistic
Pew's Georgia Public Safety Reform brief states that approximately 750 inmates were in county jails awaiting beds at Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) programs.
750 inmates
Source
Oregon: up to 20% of prison term as deduction Legal fact
Oregon law allows up to 20% of a prison term as a deduction for appropriate institutional conduct and program participation.
Federal: up to 1 year reduction for completing residential substance abuse treatment Legal fact
The period a federal prisoner convicted of a nonviolent offense remains in custody after successfully completing a residential substance abuse treatment program may be reduced by the Bureau of Prisons, but such reduction may not be more than one year from the term the prisoner must otherwise serve.
Source
Missouri good time credit policy Legal fact
Missouri's good time credit statute provides that the director of the department of corrections shall issue a policy for awarding credit which may reward an inmate who has served his or her sentence in an orderly and peaceable manner and has taken advantage of the rehabilitation programs available.
BOP Second Chance Act FY2023 report: 45% recidivism for FY2016-2018 releases (pre-FSA population) Statistic
DOJ's First Step Act Annual Report states that the BOP's most recent Second Chance Act report captures recidivism by fiscal year for a rolling three-year period of recently released individuals, with the FY 2023 report using releases from FY 2016 through FY 2018 and a recidivism rate of 45 percent, tied to a population released before the First Step Act of 2018.
45%
Federal prisoners cited for prohibited acts 2018-2022 Statistic
BJS data show that the total number of federal prisoners cited for prohibited acts that resulted in reductions in rewards, incentives, or time credits was 55,361 in 2018, 54,848 in 2019, 45,838 in 2020, 47,000 in 2021, and 50,126 in 2022.
Oklahoma meritorious-acts credit cap Legal fact
Oklahoma's meritorious-acts credit statute provides that every inmate of a state correctional facility may be entitled to a deduction of no more than one hundred (100) credits for each meritorious act performed and approved by the Department of Corrections, and the Department does not have authority to revoke such credit once awarded.
Arkansas AG Griffin praises Protect Arkansas Act sponsors Finding
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin stated he was grateful to Senator Ben Gilmore and Representative Jimmy Gazaway for showing an early interest in reforming Arkansas's criminal justice system, in praising the Protect Arkansas Act.
South Carolina no parole offense defined as class A, B, or C felony punishable by 20 years or more Legal fact
Under South Carolina Code § 24-13-100, a "no parole offense" means a class A, B, or C felony or an offense exempt from classification as enumerated in Section 16-1-10(d), which is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment for twenty years or more.
Virginia: DOC projected 8,000 prisoners would lose expanded credit eligibility Statistic
During debate on the Virginia budget amendment, a DOC spokesperson said a total of 8,000 prisoners would become ineligible for expanded earned sentence credits if the budget amendment passed.
8,000 prisoners
Illinois sex offense and natural life exclusions Legal fact
Illinois law excludes an inmate convicted of a sex offense from receiving program sentence credit unless specified sex-offender-treatment conditions are satisfied, and bars any inmate serving a term of natural life imprisonment from receiving that program credit.
FY2022: 1,450 GEDs awarded, 8% of national GEDs Statistic
In FY2022, GDC awarded 1,450 General Equivalency Diplomas (GED), accounting for 8% of the GEDs earned nationwide.
1,450 GEDs vs. 8 percent of national GEDs
CrimeSolutions rates Washington Earned Early Release as Promising Finding
CrimeSolutions (National Institute of Justice) rated Washington State's Earned Early Release program as 'Promising' based on one study, and reported that individuals released early under the 2003 law had a statistically significant lower rate of felony convictions compared with individuals who were not released early, with no statistically significant difference on violent convictions.
Parole eligibility requires completion of DOC-approved risk assessment programming Legal fact
The Parole Handbook states an additional parole-eligibility requirement under this provision is completion of all programming requirements as determined by a DOC-approved risk assessment instrument.
KPMG audit of Kentucky educational good time cost $28 million; 78% of errors after class action Statistic
The KPMG audit of Kentucky's educational good time credit system cost the state $28 million, and 78% of the errors that auditors found occurred after the class-action was filed, putting the Department of Corrections on notice of the problem.
$28M vs. 78 percent of errors after suit
Rhode Island and Tennessee credit exclusions Legal fact
NCSL's brief states that Rhode Island statute specifies that people incarcerated for murder, kidnapping a minor, sexual assault or child molestation are ineligible to earn good time, and that Tennessee does not allow people classified as maximum security or held in punitive segregation to earn credits.
Prison population more than doubled since 1990 to nearly 56,000 Statistic
Pew's Georgia Public Safety Reform brief states that since 1990 Georgia's prison population more than doubled to nearly 56,000 inmates, and the state spends more than $1 billion annually on corrections.
56,000 inmates
Source
Kansas: up to 120 days sentence credit for program completion Legal fact
Kansas law provides up to 120 days of sentence credit for completion of a GED, technical or vocational training program, substance abuse program, or any other program shown to reduce an incarcerated individual's risk after release.
First Step Act of 2018 published December 21, 2018 Legal fact
GovInfo's citation for Public Law 115-391, the First Step Act of 2018, states it was published by the U.S. Government Publishing Office on December 21, 2018.
Nevada 60-day GED credit Legal fact
Nevada's credit statute provides an educational achievement credit of 60 days for earning a general educational development certificate or an equivalent document.
BOP staff attribute increased program participation interest to FSA early release incentive Finding
The Bureau of Prisons observed an increased interest in program participation among individuals in prison, which BOP staff believe is a direct byproduct of the First Step Act's early release incentive.
Good time credit calculation change under FSA Legal fact
BOP's First Step Act overview states the Act amended federal law so that federal inmates can earn up to 54 days of good time credit for every year of their imposed sentence rather than for every year of their sentence served.
Arkansas Protect Arkansas Act (SB 495, 2023) bipartisan sponsorship Legal fact
Arkansas's Protect Arkansas Act, Senate Bill 495 of the 2023 Regular Session, 94th General Assembly, was sponsored by a large bipartisan group of senators.
South Carolina S.1154 Omnibus Crime Reduction and Sentencing Reform Act introduced February 9, 2010 Legal fact
South Carolina's bill S.1154, the Omnibus Crime Reduction and Sentencing Reform Act of 2010, was sponsored by Senators Malloy, Knotts, Campsen, McConnell, Fair, Cromer, Ford, Elliott, Scott, Nicholson, Coleman, Massey, Cleary, Hutto, Peeler, Williams, Land, Rose, Campbell, L. Martin, Leventis, Leatherman, Setzler, O'Dell, Hayes and Pinckney, and was introduced in the Senate on February 9, 2010.
Connecticut PA 11-51 established RRECs up to 5 days per month Legal fact
Connecticut's legislature passed PA 11-51, effective July 1, 2011, establishing risk reduction earned credits (RRECs) codified as CGS § 18-98e, making certain inmates eligible to earn up to five days of RRECs per month for offenses committed on or after October 1, 1994.
Illinois high school equivalency credit Legal fact
Illinois law provides that an additional 90 days of sentence credit shall be awarded to any prisoner who passes high school equivalency testing while committed to the Department of Corrections.
FY2022 CTHE: 29,091 certificates, exceeding 25,000 goal by 16.3% Statistic
In FY2022, GDC's Career, Technical and Higher Education program exceeded its goal of 25,000 career completions by more than 16.3%, for a total of 29,091 certificates achieved.
29,091 certificates vs. 25,000 goal
West Virginia up to 90 days good time per approved program Legal fact
West Virginia law provides that, in addition to standard good time and discretionary extra good time, an eligible inmate serving a felony sentence may receive up to 90 days good time per program for successfully completing an approved, but not required, academic or vocational program that is not part of the inmate's required individualized reentry programming.
Parole Handbook alternative for illiteracy or learning disability Legal fact
The Parole Handbook states that if a person cannot obtain a high school or GED diploma because of illiteracy or a learning disability, he or she must complete a job skills training program, a literacy program, an adult basic education program, or a faith based program.
KPMG audit found over 3,600 affected Kentucky prisoners after 150+ visits over 30 months Statistic
A Kentucky Department of Corrections class-action lawsuit over educational good time credit miscalculations led to a court-ordered independent audit by KPMG; after more than 150 visits to Kentucky jails and prisons over 30 months, auditors found over 3,600 affected prisoners.
3,600 prisoners vs. 150 visits
Alabama SB 1 (2023) reduced sentence credit Finding
NCSL's brief states that in Alabama, SB 1 (2023) reduced the amount of sentence credit someone can earn, placing individuals in a class between IV (ineligible for credit) and I for those considered trustworthy.
Three-year felony reconviction rate near 30 percent Statistic
Pew's Georgia Public Safety Reform brief states that the proportion of inmates reconvicted of a felony within three years of release remained at nearly 30 percent during the past decade.
30%
Source
New Jersey: remission of one day per five days of work Legal fact
New Jersey law allows remission of time from sentence for work compensation not to exceed one day for each five days of work, in addition to or instead of cash compensation at established wage rates.
RAND: correctional education associated with 43% lower odds of recidivism (high-quality studies) Finding
RAND's meta-analysis found that, based on the higher-quality research studies, inmates who participated in correctional education programs had a 43 percent lower odds of recidivating than inmates who did not, out of 267 primary empirical studies of which 58 met all three eligibility criteria.
Sources
211 cited sources backing this research.
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Key Entities
Organizations, people, facilities, and other named entities referenced in this research.
1994 Sentence Reform Act
[legislation]
ACLU
[organization]
ACLU of Virginia
[organization]
Act 280 (2017)
[legislation]
Act 81 of 2008
[legislation]
Alabama
[organization]
Alabama Correctional Incentive Time Act
[legislation]
Alabama Department of Corrections
[organization]
Alabama SB 1 (2023)
[legislation]
Alabama Senate Bill 1 (2023)
[legislation]
April Weaver
[person]
Arizona Department of Corrections
[organization]
Arkansas Department of Corrections
[organization]
Ashland University
[organization]
Ben Gilmore
[person]
Berecochea & Jaman Study
[case]
Bill Lee
[person]
Blackwell v. State
[case]
Bozick et al.
[person]
Brad Johnson
[person]
Brewton-Parker College
[organization]
Bureau of Justice Statistics
[organization]
Bureau of Prisons
[organization]
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
[organization]
California Legislative Analyst's Office
[organization]
California Office of the Inspector General
[organization]
California Penal Code Section 2933.05
[legislation]
California State Auditor
[organization]
Cameron Sexton
[person]
Career, Technical, and Higher Education programs
[program]
Coastal RSAT
[facility]
Colorado
[organization]
Colorado Department of Corrections
[organization]
Colorado HB 1037 (2023)
[legislation]
Connecticut
[organization]
Connecticut Department of Correction
[organization]
Connecticut General Assembly
[legislation]
Council of State Governments Justice Center
[organization]
Council on Criminal Justice
[organization]
CrimeSolutions
[program]
Criminal Justice Legal Foundation
[organization]
D.C. Code § 24–221.01
[legislation]
Delaware Department of Correction
[organization]
District of Columbia
[organization]
DOJ Office of the Inspector General
[organization]
Dooly State Prison
[facility]
Drago, Galbiati and Vertova
[person]
Earned Compliance Credits
[program]
Earned Discretionary Sentence Credit
[program]
Earned Time System
[program]
ESSB 5990
[legislation]
Faith and Character Based program
[program]
Family Reunification Program
[program]
Federal Bureau of Prisons
[organization]
Fifth Circuit
[organization]
First Circuit Court of Appeals
[case]
First Step Act
[legislation]
First Step Act Independent Review Committee
[organization]
First Step Act of 2018
[legislation]
Florida Department of Corrections
[organization]
Florida House of Representatives
[organization]
Florida Senate
[organization]
Foothills Education Charter High School
[program]
Ga Comp R Regs R 475 3 .05
[legislation]
GA SB586
[legislation]
GAO
[organization]
Garcia Vasquez v. Dotson
[case]
Georgetown University
[organization]
Georgia Act 1133
[legislation]
Georgia Board of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform
[organization]
Georgia Department of Community Supervision
[organization]
Georgia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia Department of Offender Rehabilitation
[organization]
Georgia General Assembly
[organization]
Georgia House Bill 70518
[legislation]
Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles
[organization]
Georgia State University
[organization]
Georgia Supreme Court
[organization]
Glenn Youngkin
[person]
Government Accountability Office
[organization]
Governor Rendell
[person]
Hancock State Prison
[facility]
Hart-Lowman
[person]
Hawaii
[organization]
HB 183 (2025)
[legislation]
HB 894
[legislation]
House Bill 10 (2024 Second Extraordinary Session)
[legislation]
House Bill 5148
[legislation]
Idaho
[organization]
Illinois Department of Corrections
[organization]
Indiana
[organization]
Indiana Department of Correction
[organization]
Iowa
[organization]
James LeBlanc
[person]
Jay Inslee
[person]
Jeff Landry
[person]
Jeff Macomber
[person]
Jerry Madden
[person]
Jimmy Gazaway
[person]
John Whitmire
[person]
Johnson RSAT
[facility]
Jose Garcia Vasquez
[person]
Justice Reinvestment Initiative
[program]
Kansas
[organization]
Kansas Department of Corrections
[organization]
Kay Ivey
[person]
Kelsey
[person]
Kentucky Department of Corrections
[organization]
KPMG
[organization]
Kristofer Bret Bucklen
[person]
Lee State Prison
[facility]
Life University
[organization]
Louisiana
[organization]
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections
[organization]
Louisiana Legislative Auditor
[organization]
Louisiana Legislature
[organization]
Lundberg
[person]
Maine
[organization]
Maryland
[organization]
Massachusetts
[organization]
Massachusetts Department of Correction
[organization]
McNally
[person]
MGT Push
[program]
Michigan
[organization]
Michigan Department of Corrections
[organization]
Miles
[person]
Minnesota
[organization]
Minnesota Department of Corrections
[organization]
Mississippi Department of Corrections
[organization]
Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act
[legislation]
Mississippi HB 585 (2014)
[legislation]
Mississippi State Parole Board
[organization]
Missouri Department of Corrections
[organization]
Montana
[organization]
National Center for Education Statistics
[organization]
National Conference of State Legislatures
[organization]
National Institute of Justice
[organization]
Nevada
[organization]
Nevada Department of Corrections
[organization]
New Hampshire Department of Corrections
[organization]
New Jersey
[organization]
New Mexico
[organization]
New Mexico Corrections Department
[organization]
New York City Comptroller's Office
[organization]
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
[organization]
New York State Earned Time Act
[legislation]
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction
[organization]
North Carolina Department of Correction
[organization]
North Carolina DPS Prisons
[organization]
North Carolina Justice Reinvestment Act
[legislation]
North Carolina Justice Reinvestment Act (H.B. 642)
[legislation]
North Dakota
[organization]
O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1
[legislation]
O.C.G.A. § 42-5-101
[legislation]
O.C.G.A. § 42-8-38
[legislation]
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45
[legislation]
Ohio
[organization]
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
[organization]
Ohio Revised Code §2929.20
[legislation]
Ohio Revised Code §2967.193
[legislation]
Oklahoma Attorney General's Office
[organization]
Oklahoma Department of Corrections
[organization]
Oklahoma Justice Reform Task Force
[organization]
Omnibus Crime Reduction and Sentencing Reform Act
[legislation]
Omnibus Crime Reduction and Sentencing Reform Act of 2010 (S. 1154)
[legislation]
OPPAGA
[organization]
Oregon
[organization]
Oregon Criminal Justice Commission
[organization]
PA 11-51
[legislation]
Pennsylvania
[organization]
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
[organization]
Performance Incentive Credit Program
[program]
Pew Center on the States
[organization]
Pew Charitable Trusts
[organization]
Proposition 57
[legislation]
Protect Arkansas Act
[legislation]
Pulaski State Prison
[facility]
R.S. 15:571.3.1
[legislation]
RAND Corporation
[organization]
Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive
[program]
Recidiviz
[organization]
Residential Drug Abuse Program
[program]
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
[program]
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program
[program]
Rhode Island
[organization]
Right on Crime
[organization]
Sandhills Vocational Delivery System Experiment
[program]
SB 105
[legislation]
SB 1572 (2024)
[legislation]
Senate Bill 5034
[legislation]
Smith State Prison
[facility]
South Carolina
[organization]
South Carolina Department of Corrections
[organization]
South Carolina Sentencing Reform Commission
[organization]
South Carolina Sentencing Reform Oversight Committee
[organization]
South Dakota Department of Corrections
[organization]
Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform for Georgians
[organization]
State Board of Pardons and Paroles
[organization]
State Jail Diligent Participation Credit
[program]
Tennessee
[organization]
Tennessee Code § 41-21-236
[legislation]
Tennessee Department of Correction
[organization]
Tennessee General Assembly
[organization]
Tennessee Truth in Sentencing Act (SB 2248)
[legislation]
Texas Appleseed
[organization]
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
[organization]
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42A.559
[legislation]
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
[organization]
Texas Government Code § 498.003
[legislation]
Texas Government Code § 508.145
[legislation]
Texas Justice Reinvestment Initiative
[program]
Texas Legislative Budget Board
[organization]
The Pew Charitable Trusts
[organization]
Tim Griffin
[person]
U.S. Department of Justice
[organization]
U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General
[organization]
U.S. Sentencing Commission
[organization]
Utah
[organization]
Utah Board of Pardons and Parole
[organization]
Utah Department of Corrections
[organization]
Vera Institute of Justice
[organization]
Vermont
[organization]
Vermont Department of Corrections
[organization]
Virginia
[organization]
Virginia Code § 53.1-202.3
[legislation]
Virginia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Virginia General Assembly
[organization]
Virginia State Crime Commission
[organization]
Walker State Prison
[facility]
Washington State Department of Corrections
[organization]
Washington State Institute for Public Policy
[organization]
West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation
[organization]
Whitworth Women's Facility
[facility]
William White
[person]
Wisconsin
[organization]
Wisconsin Department of Corrections
[organization]
Wisconsin Parole Commission
[organization]