Kansas good time and sentence credit rules
For crimes on or after July 1, 1993, Kansas good time is capped at 15% of the prison part of the sentence. The cap is 20% for some lower-level crimes.[1]
Sources last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:19 AM MT. This explains current law. It does not calculate anyone's date.
Credit types and rates
- The Secretary of Corrections sets good-time rules. Credits can depend on program and work participation, conduct, and willingness to confront past behavior.[1]
- Cap: 15% of the prison part of the sentence for crimes on or after July 1, 1993.[1]
- 20% cap for nondrug severity level 7-10 crimes on or after Jan 1, 2008, and for certain drug severity level 3-5 crimes (depending on the offense date).[1]
- K.S.A. 21-6821 also provides program credits and allows forfeiture of earned credits.[1]
Exclusions and limits
Parole eligibility vs. discharge
- Kansas sentencing-guidelines sentences have a prison part followed by postrelease supervision. Good time shortens the prison part, within the caps above.[1]
How to find a release date
- Search the official KDOC KASPER offender search by name or ID number.
- Look for the projected release, parole eligibility, or discharge date. The DOC record already includes credits it has awarded.
- For questions, contact the facility records office. Only DOC can correct a date.
New laws and bills
Not yet verified We have not yet verified whether sentence-credit legislation is active here. (tracker checked Oct 16, 2026)
FAQ
How much good time can you earn in Kansas?
Up to 15% of the prison part of the sentence for crimes on or after July 1, 1993, or 20% for certain lower-severity crimes (K.S.A. 21-6821).
What is postrelease supervision?
Supervision in the community after the prison part of a Kansas guidelines sentence ends.
What this site can't do
| Issue | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Discipline and lost credits | We cannot see write-ups, forfeitures or restored credits. Only the facility record shows them. |
| Detainers and holds | Warrants, immigration holds or other-state detainers can block release. They are not in public data. |
| Consecutive and concurrent sentences | How sentences stack changes every date. We do not recompute aggregated sentences. |
| Parole board discretion | Eligibility is not release. Boards decide, and can deny or defer. |
| Jail credit errors | Pretrial credit is set by the court. Errors must be fixed through the court or records office. |
| Recent law changes | New laws, court rulings and DOC policy changes can take weeks to reach records. |
| Individual legal advice | We 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
Official statute, regulation, or agency pages only. Last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:19 AM MT. Spotted an error? Tell us.
All 50 states + DC · Federal (First Step Act) · Paroling to another state (Interstate Compact)
Sources: K.S.A. 21-6821 (good time and program credits) · Last verified: · Corrections