Defendants considering a plea deal need to know how long they will actually serve before they are eligible for parole. A key component to understanding your parole eligibility calculation is the “Good Time Credits” awarded by the TDCJ. When calculating ballpark eligibility, family members sometimes rely on the rule of thumb that if the inmate is not in trouble, they are credited one day for each “calendar” day they serve (inmates usually refer to the calendar ). as “flat time”).
But the actual rules are more complicated. While you certainly don’t need to understand every nuance of the law, it’s important to have a general idea of how much good time you can earn (and take away) when planning for a post-prison future.
Ranking Accumulation
Your loved ones can earn time for good behavior based on their ranking. Each eligible occupant begins with a Line Class I time-gain classification. Inmates can then work up to a higher time-gain status (state-approved trustee); However, TDJC can also downgrade them to a lower line class status where they earn less or no time for good behavior.
Individuals must wait six months before being eligible for promotion in time accumulation status. If your loved one has no significant disciplinary cases after 6 months, that is considered satisfactory progress. At this point, your darling can be promoted!
Compassionate Release:
The United States Code has provided for this mechanism under Title 18, Section 3582 for many decades. However, until the Law of the First Step, administrators rarely recommended a person for mercy release. The First Step Act is, in the opinion of our team of Prison Professors, the most significant correctional reform act since the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984.
To apply for release from prison, an individual must apply with the warden.
Your application must state that your particular situation has changed since the judge sent you and the changes are “particularly exceptional or compelling” in nature. Since the changes could not have been foreseen prior to sentencing, the person may argue that the judge should have an opportunity to review the sentence to determine whether further incarceration is warranted.
Second-degree felonies
Second-degree felonies include crimes such as aggravated assault, sexual assault, manslaughter, arson, and illegal possession of marijuana (50 to 2000 pounds).
First-time offenders facing second-degree felony charges face 2 to 20 years in prison and, in some cases, a fine of up to $10,000.
How does the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles determine parole?
The parole board begins the parole determination process by reviewing the offense and the sentence:
- Many people are eligible for parole after serving a fourth part of their sentence in prison or have served prison time.
- Credit is then determined by adding the good time to the actual calendar time worked.
- According to Section 498.001 of the Texas Government Code, a good time is based on the offender’s behavior (reflected by his rating status), such as: B. His willingness to actively participate in educational programs, work and vocational training. offered.
- Good weather does not affect the length of an inmate’s sentence: if he is sentenced to 10 years, he is serving the sentence.
- Good weather can be deducted as a kind of penalty.
- The mandatory inmate release date is the day the offender has served sufficient calendar time, plus sufficient time to serve their full prison or prison sentence. The mandatory release date doesn’t always mean he or she will be automatically released on that date: it usually means he or she will receive another parole check from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.