Glossary
- Earned credit / earned time
- Days taken off a sentence for good behavior, work, or programs. One credit usually equals one day.
- Good time
- A common name for credit earned for good conduct.
- Gain time
- Florida's term for sentence-reduction credit.
- Meritorious credit
- Extra credit for exceptional service or achievement (Nevada AB 542 allows up to 90 days a year).
- Minimum term
- The shortest time before someone can be considered for parole.
- Maximum term
- The longest time someone can be held on a sentence.
- Parole eligibility date (PED)
- The earliest date someone can be considered for parole.
- Expiration date
- The date a sentence ends if served in full after credits.
- Class level
- In Oklahoma, a level (1-4) set by an adjustment review committee that determines monthly credits.
- 85% rule
- A requirement that a person serve at least 85% of the sentence before release.
- Category A/B felony
- Nevada's most serious felony classes; excluded from SB 413's 35% credit.
- Election
- Choosing to switch to a new credit method (Nevada lets people sentenced earlier elect SB 413).
- Jail credit
- Time spent in county jail that counts toward a prison sentence.
- Achievement credits
- Lump-sum credits for completing a degree, diploma, or program.
- Mandatory supervision
- Texas release to supervision once time served plus good time equals the sentence (for eligible offenses).
- Second look
- A law letting a judge review and possibly reduce a long sentence after a set number of years.