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KY · Sentence credit rules

Kentucky good time and sentence credit rules

Kentucky gives 90 days for each diploma, degree or approved program completed. DOC may also award up to 10 days a month for good behavior, plus up to 7 days a month for meritorious service.[1]

Sources last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:23 AM MT. This explains current law. It does not calculate anyone's date.

Credit types and rates

  • Required credits: jail credit for prior confinement (KRS 532.120), and 90 days for each high school equivalency, high school diploma, college degree, or completed vocational/technical program.[1]
  • Up to 90 days for each approved drug treatment, evidence-based, or life skills program completed.[1]
  • Optional credits: up to 10 days per month served for good behavior, up to 7 days a month for exceptionally meritorious service, and up to 7 days a month for exceptional service during an emergency.[1]

Exclusions and limits

  • Sexual offenders who must take sex offender treatment do not get sentence credit until they complete it.[1]
  • Credits can be forfeited for offenses or rule violations, and for civil suits dismissed as malicious, harassing or frivolous.[1]

Parole eligibility vs. discharge

  • Credits come off the sentence, which moves up the release date. Parole eligibility is set separately and decided by the Kentucky Parole Board.

How to find a release date

  1. Search the official KY DOC KOOL Offender Online Lookup 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.

KY DOC KOOL Offender Online Lookup (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 · Kentucky action kit

FAQ

How much good time do you get in Kentucky?

Up to 10 days a month for good behavior, up to 7 a month for meritorious service, and 90 days per diploma, degree or approved program (KRS 197.045).

Does a GED reduce a Kentucky sentence?

Yes. 90 days for a high school equivalency diploma.

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. KRS 197.045 (sentence credit)

Official statute, regulation, or agency pages only. Last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:23 AM MT. Spotted an error? Tell us.

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Sources: KRS 197.045 (sentence credit) · Last verified: · Corrections