For example, if you were sentenced to three years (1,095 days) in prison, but received 120 days of credit for time served prior to sentencing, 60 days for good behavior, and 20 days after sentencing, then you can subtract 200 days from your 1,095 day sentence, setting your maximum release date 895 days into the future.
In federal prison, you can get “time off for good behavior. ” If you are found to be in “exemplary compliance with institutional disciplinary regulations,” you can earn up to 54 days off your sentence each year. [3] X Research source Stated simply, obey all the rules and make yourself a model prisoner. For example, Arizona defines a model prisoner as someone who has had little to no disciplinary action taken against him or her, has helped stop criminal activity by others, has improved his or her own education (earning a high school diploma or equivalent in prison weighs in favor of time off for good behavior. [4] X Research source ), has found religion or spirituality, and who voices new positive goals for the future. [5] X Research source
As you prepare for your hearing, be prepared to discuss your feelings of remorse and your plans to find stable housing and work upon release. Give the names of friends and family members who support you, where you will live, where you want to work, and whether or not you will have a job offer open upon your release. Although you cannot change the circumstances of the crime you committed, you can explain and reframe those circumstances for the parole board. For example, if you robbed someone to support your drug addiction, that addiction does not excuse or justify the crime. Still, you can ask the board to consider that you have kicked your habit, learned to appreciate how your addiction harmed you, your family, and others, and that you intend to stay clean and become financially independent.
The parole board will notify you of its decision at a later date, usually within a period of several months. [11] X Research source
Your letter should include your plan for how you will provide for this person if you are released, and should include copies of a death certificate or medical records to prove death or incapacity. [13] X Research source
Age 70 or older, have served at least 30 years, and were sentenced on or after November 1, 1978; Age 65 or older, have served at least 50% of your sentence, and have a serious and irreversible aging-related medical condition; or Age 65 or older and have served the greater of 10 years or 75% or your sentence.
