New Hampshire good time and sentence credit rules
New Hampshire has no monthly good time. Instead it gives one-time reductions to both the minimum and maximum sentence for completing programs, from 60 to 180 days each.[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
- Education: 90 days for a high school equivalency certificate, 120 days for a high school diploma, and 180 days each for associate, bachelor's, master's or doctorate degrees. Each comes off both the minimum and the maximum.[1]
- Vocational programs: 60 days per approved program completed.[1]
- Mental health or substance-use treatment, Family Connections Center parenting programs, and correctional industries certificates: 60 days each.[1]
Exclusions and limits
- Credits are awarded or recommended by the commissioner after reviewing the prisoner's record.[1]
Parole eligibility vs. discharge
- Because credits cut the minimum, they move up parole eligibility. Because they cut the maximum, they move up final discharge.[1]
How to find a release date
- Search the official NH DOC Inmate Locator 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 New Hampshire have good time?
Not monthly good time. RSA 651-A:22-a gives one-time earned time credits for completing education, vocational, treatment and other programs.
How much time off for a GED in New Hampshire?
90 days off both the minimum and maximum sentence for a high school equivalency certificate.
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: RSA 651-A:22-a (earned time credits) · Last verified: · Corrections