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MA · Sentence credit rules

Massachusetts good time and sentence credit rules

Massachusetts awards earned good time for programs and work: up to 7.5 days per program per month in state prison (15 days max), plus completion credits. Total reductions are capped at 35% of the term.[1]

Sources last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:21 AM MT. This explains current law. It does not calculate anyone's date.

Credit types and rates

  • State prison: up to 7.5 days per program or activity each month, no more than 15 days a month total.[1]
  • House of correction: up to 5 days per program per month, no more than 10 days a month.[1]
  • Completion bonus: up to 10 more days in the month a designated program is completed.[1]
  • Completion credits (state prison): up to 80 days per designated program, capped at 17.5% of the maximum term.[1]

Exclusions and limits

  • Credit requires meeting program requirements and showing competency in the material.[1]
  • Deductions cannot reduce the maximum term, or the minimum term for parole eligibility, by more than 35%.[1]

Parole eligibility vs. discharge

  • Discharge: deductions come off the maximum term, and a certificate of discharge is issued on the new date.[1]
  • Parole: deductions and completion credits also come off the minimum term for parole eligibility under §133, up to 35%.[1]

How to find a release date

  1. Search the official Massachusetts DOC (VINELink offender 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.

Massachusetts DOC (VINELink offender 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 · Massachusetts action kit

FAQ

How does earned good time work in Massachusetts?

Up to 7.5 days per program per month (15 max) in state prison, completion bonuses, and up to 80-day completion credits. Totals are capped at 35% (c.127 §129D).

Does earned good time affect parole in Massachusetts?

Yes. It reduces both the maximum term and the minimum term for parole eligibility.

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. Mass. Gen. Laws c.127 §129D (earned good conduct deductions)

Official statute, regulation, or agency pages only. Last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:21 AM MT. Spotted an error? Tell us.

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Sources: Mass. Gen. Laws c.127 §129D (earned good conduct deductions) · Last verified: · Corrections