How Does Federal Good-Conduct Time Work?
Share CaseSteps
Shares a link to this page and a short general description. Nothing about you is included.
Link shared: https://casesteps.org/resources/federal/good-conduct-time
Short answer
Good-conduct time is a possible sentence reduction administered by the Bureau of Prisons for qualifying federal sentences. Eligible people may earn up to 54 days for each year of the sentence imposed. The common description of this as fifteen percent off is shorthand, not the rule, and good-conduct time is separate from First Step Act Time Credits. CaseSteps does not calculate good-conduct time or estimate release dates; the Bureau of Prisons computes sentences, and counsel can explain a specific situation.
Attorney review pending. This is general education, not legal advice.
Plain-English overview
Good-conduct time is a possible reduction administered by the Bureau of Prisons. Under 18 U.S.C. § 3624(b)(1), it applies to a term of imprisonment of more than one year, other than a term of life imprisonment. Eligible people may receive up to 54 days for each year of the sentence imposed, subject to a Bureau of Prisons determination that the person displayed exemplary compliance with institutional disciplinary regulations during that year. The Bureau may award less than 54 days, or no credit, when it determines that the required standard was not met.
People frequently describe this as “15% off” but that is shorthand—not the actual rule. Fifty-four days is approximately 14.8% of a 365-day year, no reduction is automatic, and CaseSteps does not calculate any sentence or release date.
Example
For a five-year sentence, 54 days multiplied by five years equals a maximum of 270 days of good-conduct time. This is only a general illustration. It is not a personal release-date calculation and does not account for every factor affecting sentence computation.
Important distinction
Good-conduct time is different from First Step Act Time Credits. Good-conduct time can affect the amount of time served on the sentence. First Step Act Time Credits are earned through successful participation in qualifying programs or productive activities and are subject to separate eligibility and application rules.
Both are also separate from Second Chance Act prerelease placement, which concerns where the final portion of a sentence may be served, and from the separate statutory benefit associated with the Residential Drug Abuse Program under 18 U.S.C. § 3621(e). Four different rules, four different decisions.
Questions to discuss with counsel or appropriate BOP staff
- Is this sentence eligible for good-conduct time?
- How is the projected release date being calculated?
- Has prior-custody credit been calculated separately?
- Are disciplinary issues affecting good-conduct time?
- Where can the official sentence computation be reviewed?
Official sources
This is general federal legal education, not legal advice. Procedures and outcomes depend on the facts, the controlling law, court orders and local practices. Confirm deadlines and decisions with qualified counsel.
Was this page helpful?
Share CaseSteps
Shares a link to this page and a short general description. Nothing about you is included.
Link shared: https://casesteps.org/resources/federal/good-conduct-time
Browse Related Questions
- What Is the Difference Between Good-Conduct Time, First Step Act Time Credits, the Second Chance Act, and RDAP?Federal · Custody transition · about 6 min read
- What are First Step Act Time Credits?Federal · Time and credits · about 3 min read
- What happens after federal sentencing?Federal · Post-sentencing · about 3 min read
More federal foundations
- What Is the Difference Between a PSI and a PSR?After a guilty plea or verdict • Before sentencing
- What Is the Role of the Federal Probation Officer Before Sentencing?Presentence investigation
- Why is reviewing my federal PSR important?PSR review • Before sentencing
- What Are First Step Act Time Credits?Sentenced • Federal custody • Reentry preparation
- Understanding a Federal Plea AgreementPlea discussions • Before a change-of-plea hearing
- What Happens at a Federal Change-of-Plea Hearing?Change-of-plea hearing
- How Does Federal Sentencing Work?Sentencing
- What Happens at a Federal Sentencing Hearing?Sentencing
- What Happens After Federal Sentencing?After sentencing • Designation and transfer
- What Is the Difference Between Good-Conduct Time, First Step Act Time Credits, the Second Chance Act, and RDAP?Federal custody • Sentence computation topics
- How Do the Second Chance Act, RRC Placement, and Home Confinement Work?Federal custody • Preparing for release
- What Is Federal Supervised Release?Release and reentry • Community supervision
- Does Everyone Automatically Get 15% Off a Federal Sentence?Custody transition • Time and credits
- How Does Someone Earn 10 Days Versus 15 Days of First Step Act Time Credits?Time and credits
- When Can First Step Act Credits Begin—During Detention, After Sentencing, or After Arrival at a BOP Facility?Custody transition • Time and credits
- Who Is Eligible to Earn First Step Act Time Credits?Time and credits
- What Is a PATTERN Risk Score, and Why Does It Matter?Time and credits
- What Is the Difference Between Earning First Step Act Credits and Having Them Applied?Time and credits
- Why Can the BOP Release Date Differ From a First Step Act or Conditional Release Date?Release and reentry
- Does the Second Chance Act Guarantee 12 Months in a Residential Reentry Center?Release and reentry
- What Can Someone Do if Their First Step Act Credit Record Appears Incorrect?Time and credits
- Does First Step Act Eligibility Depend on the Conviction, the PSR, or Relevant Conduct?Time and credits
- What Can Someone Do if Their PATTERN Assessment Appears Incorrect?Time and credits
- Which Programs, Classes, Jobs, and Productive Activities Count Toward First Step Act Credits?Time and credits
- What Happens if a Qualifying Program Has a Waiting List or Is Canceled?Time and credits
- What Is the Difference Between an Excused Absence, Opting Out, and Refusing a Program?Time and credits
- Can SHU Placement, Hospitalization, a Writ, or a Transfer Affect Credit Earning?Time and credits
- Can Earned First Step Act Credits Be Lost or Restored?Time and credits
- Can Someone Continue Earning First Step Act Credits in an RRC or on Home Confinement?Release and reentry
- When Does a Federal Sentence Officially Begin?Post-sentencing • Custody transition
- Does Time Spent in Jail Before or After Sentencing Count Toward a Federal Sentence?Post-sentencing • Custody transition
- How Does the Bureau of Prisons Decide Which Federal Facility Someone Will Be Sent To?Post-sentencing • Custody transition
- Can a Federal Judge Recommend a Particular Prison, and Must the Bureau of Prisons Follow It?Sentencing • Post-sentencing
- Why Can Someone Remain in a Detention Center After Sentencing, and How Do Designation and Transfer Work?Post-sentencing • Custody transition
- How Can Federal and State Custody, Writs and Concurrent or Consecutive Sentences Affect When a Federal Sentence Begins?Post-sentencing • Custody transition
- What Is a Detainer, and How Can It Affect Designation, Transfer or First Step Act Time Credits?Custody transition • Time and credits
- How Can Someone Review a Bureau of Prisons Sentence Computation and Raise a Possible Error?Post-sentencing • Time and credits
- How Does the Bureau of Prisons Decide the Length and Timing of Residential Reentry Center Placement?Release and reentry
- Who Decides Home Confinement, and Can a Federal Judge Order It?Release and reentry
- Do Earned First Step Act Time Credits Guarantee Placement in an RRC or Home Confinement?In custody • Time and credits
- How Can First Step Act Time Credits Be Applied Toward Early Transfer to Supervised Release?In custody • Time and credits
- Do Unused First Step Act Time Credits Shorten Supervised Release After Supervision Begins?Supervised release
- What Is RDAP, and How Is Its Early-Release Benefit Different from Time Credits and Good-Conduct Time?In custody • Programming
- Can Federal Supervised Release Be Modified, Terminated Early or Revoked?Supervised release
- What Changed When the Bureau of Prisons Expanded the Use of Minimum-Security Camps?In custody • Awaiting transfer
- Why Might Someone Leaving a Federal Prison Camp Still Have to Wear an Ankle Monitor?Release and reentry