Michigan good time and sentence credit rules
Michigan has no good time for current sentences. Instead, people subject to "disciplinary time" get extra time added for each major misconduct, and the parole board considers it.[1]
Sources last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:22 AM MT. This explains current law. It does not calculate anyone's date.
Credit types and rates
- A prisoner subject to disciplinary time gets disciplinary time for each major misconduct they are found guilty of.[1]
- Accumulated disciplinary time goes to the parole board for its parole review. The minimum sentence plus disciplinary time cannot exceed the maximum.[1]
- Disciplinary time can be reduced for good behavior under the section's rules.[1]
Exclusions and limits
- Disciplinary time applies to people convicted of listed offenses (MCL 800.34(5)), which covers most serious felonies, committed after the statutory effective dates.[1]
Parole eligibility vs. discharge
- Michigan uses indeterminate sentences. People become parole-eligible at the minimum and can be held to the maximum. Disciplinary time is considered by the parole board but does not automatically extend the minimum.[1]
How to find a release date
- Search the official MDOC Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) 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
Does Michigan have good time?
Not for current sentences. Michigan uses disciplinary time (MCL 800.34), which adds time for major misconducts and is considered by the parole board.
When are Michigan prisoners eligible for parole?
When they reach their minimum sentence. The parole board decides whether to release them.
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, 8:22 AM MT. Spotted an error? Tell us.
All 50 states + DC · Federal (First Step Act) · Paroling to another state (Interstate Compact)
Sources: MCL 800.34 (disciplinary time) · Last verified: · Corrections