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Delaware good time and sentence credit rules

Delaware good time for behavior is 2 days a month in the first year and 3 days a month after that (36 days a year max). Programs add up to 10 days a month. Total good time is capped at 180 days a year.[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

  • Behavior: 2 days per month in year one, then 3 days per month. No more than 36 days in a 365-day year.[1]
  • Programs: up to 10 days per calendar month for education, rehabilitation, work or other approved programs.[1]
  • For people sentenced on or after Aug 8, 2012: up to 60 more days for completing an approved recidivism-reduction program.[1]
  • Cap: 180 days of good time in any 365 days actually served.[1]

Exclusions and limits

  • No good time for life sentences.[1]
  • No good time for sentences under §4214 (habitual offender) or §4204(k), or for sentences imposed before the statute was enacted.[1]
  • Good time cannot set a release date before the approved program's completion date.[1]

Parole eligibility vs. discharge

  • Good time reduces the sentence and is applied to the consolidated time for multiple sentences.[1]

How to find a release date

  1. Search the official Delaware VINELink offender 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.

Delaware VINELink offender 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 · Delaware action kit

FAQ

How much good time do you get in Delaware?

For behavior, 2 days a month in year one and 3 after (max 36 a year). Programs add up to 10 days a month. The total is capped at 180 days a year (11 Del. C. §4381).

Do habitual offenders get good time in Delaware?

No. Sentences under §4214 are excluded.

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. 11 Del. C. §4381 (earned good time)

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

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Sources: 11 Del. C. §4381 (earned good time) · Last verified: · Corrections