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MT · Sentence credit rules

Montana good time and sentence credit rules

Montana generally makes people with time sentences eligible for parole after serving one-fourth of the full term. Life sentences become eligible after 30 years.[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

  • We found no current statutory good-time deduction for Montana prison sentences. Ask Montana DOC whether any credit applies to a specific sentence.

Exclusions and limits

  • No parole for death sentences, people temporarily placed in prison for assessment or sanctions, and sentences imposed under §46-18-202(2) (court-restricted parole) or §46-18-219.[1]

Parole eligibility vs. discharge

  • Parole eligibility: one-fourth of the full term for time sentences, and 30 years for life.[1]
  • If parole is denied, the next hearing can be up to 6 years away for sexual or violent offenses, or up to 1 year for others.[1]
  • DOC can move people to prerelease within 14 months of parole eligibility.[1]

What we could not verify

We could not confirm from official text whether any good-time credit applies to current Montana sentences.

How to find a release date

  1. Search the official Montana DOC Offender Search (CON Network) 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.

Montana DOC Offender Search (CON Network) (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 · Montana action kit

FAQ

When is someone eligible for parole in Montana?

After one-fourth of the full term for time sentences, or 30 years for life (MCA 46-23-201), unless the court restricted parole.

Does Montana have good time?

We found no current statutory good-time deduction. Please confirm with Montana DOC.

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. MCA §46-23-201 (parole eligibility)

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: MCA §46-23-201 (parole eligibility) · Last verified: · Corrections