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AR · Sentence credit rules

Arkansas good time and sentence credit rules

Arkansas meritorious good time can cut up to 30 days a month off the parole or transfer eligibility date. It never shortens the sentence itself.[1]

Sources last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:26 AM MT. This explains current law. It does not calculate anyone's date.

Credit types and rates

  • Up to 30 days per month incarcerated after sentencing, for good discipline, behavior, work and rehabilitative activities.[1]
  • It applies to Division of Correction and Division of Community Correction custody.[1]

Exclusions and limits

  • Meritorious good time "will not be applied to reduce an inmate's length of sentence."[1]
  • It can never cut time served by more than half of the percentage the law requires for transfer eligibility, or community punishment confinement by more than half.[1]
  • People in the lowest class because of discipline, or serving punitive disciplinary time, cannot earn it.[1]

Parole eligibility vs. discharge

  • Good time moves up parole or transfer eligibility only. Discharge stays at the full sentence.[1] Transfer eligibility percentages come from statute and 12 CAR §60-110.

How to find a release date

  1. Search the official ADC Inmate Search by name or ID number.
  2. Look for the projected release, parole eligibility, or discharge date. The DOC record already includes credits it has awarded.
  3. For questions, contact the facility records office. Only DOC can correct a date.

ADC Inmate Search (official)

New laws and bills

Not yet verified We have not yet verified whether sentence-credit legislation is active here. (tracker checked Oct 16, 2026)

50-state tracker · Arkansas action kit

FAQ

Does Arkansas good time shorten the sentence?

No. Meritorious good time only moves up parole or transfer eligibility (12 CAR §60-113).

How much good time can you get in Arkansas?

Up to 30 days per month, but never more than half of the required transfer eligibility percentage.

What this site can't do

Limits of OutSooner information
IssueWhy it matters
Discipline and lost creditsWe cannot see write-ups, forfeitures or restored credits. Only the facility record shows them.
Detainers and holdsWarrants, immigration holds or other-state detainers can block release. They are not in public data.
Consecutive and concurrent sentencesHow sentences stack changes every date. We do not recompute aggregated sentences.
Parole board discretionEligibility is not release. Boards decide, and can deny or defer.
Jail credit errorsPretrial credit is set by the court. Errors must be fixed through the court or records office.
Recent law changesNew laws, court rulings and DOC policy changes can take weeks to reach records.
Individual legal adviceWe explain public rules. A lawyer or the DOC records office can apply them to one case.

Always confirm dates with the official DOC records office.

Sources

  1. 12 CAR §60-113 (meritorious good time)

Official statute, regulation, or agency pages only. Last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:26 AM MT. Spotted an error? Tell us.

All 50 states + DC · Federal (First Step Act) · Paroling to another state (Interstate Compact)

Sources: 12 CAR §60-113 (meritorious good time) · Last verified: · Corrections