Authors
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Marta Nelson
Summary of National Survey of States' Earned and Good Time Earning Options, Focusing on States That Have Few Offense-Based Exclusions
Overview
Although the precise definitions and usage of the terms vary by state, in general, “good-time” and “earned-time” credit structures allow incarcerated people to earn time off their sentences through good behavior and participation in rehabilitative programming. Laws that restrict sentence credits were popularized in the 1980s and 1990s to ensure that people served most of their sentences in prison before becoming eligible for release. These restrictions arose from a narrative that people convicted of violent offenses were either unworthy or incapable of change through good behavior. This is untrue. Instead, by limiting opportunities for early release by offense, states remove a key incentive to engage in programs that support personal growth, education, and skill-building.
In this report, the Vera Institute of Justice presents a summary of states’ earned-time and good-time options, focusing on states that have minimal offense-based exclusions. These structures are vital to safety and well-being inside and outside of prisons.
Key Takeaway
Fortunately for safety in and outside of prisons, some states, both blue and red, either never removed eligibility for earned-time or good-time credits, did so partially, or opened up eligibility based on crime type over time. This report identifies those states that allow people convicted of violent offenses to earn more than 15 percent off their sentences.
Publication Highlights
When incarcerated people participate in treatment and programming, the result is improved safety for incarcerated people, staff, and the community.
Most people convicted of violent offenses can and do change, have some of the lowest recidivism rates, and contribute positively to their communities after release.
The states highlighted 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.