New York good time and sentence credit rules
New York good time can take up to one-third off the maximum of an indeterminate sentence and one-seventh off a determinate sentence. Merit time can take another one-sixth off the minimum for eligible nonviolent offenses.[1]
Sources last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:28 AM MT. This explains current law. It does not calculate anyone's date.
Credit types and rates
- Good time (Penal Law §70.40, Correction Law §803): the conditional release date is one-third off the maximum for indeterminate sentences and one-seventh off for determinate sentences, unless good time is lost.[1]
- Merit time: one-sixth off the minimum (one-third for A-I drug felonies) on indeterminate sentences, or one-seventh off determinate terms. Requires a GED, a treatment or vocational certificate, or 400 hours of work-crew service, and no serious infractions.[1]
- Supplemental merit time: another one-sixth for certain A-II through E drug felonies.[1]
- Limited Credit Time Allowance: 6 months for some non-merit-eligible people who complete significant programs.[1]
Exclusions and limits
- Merit time is not available for violent felony offenses, non-drug A-I felonies, manslaughter 2nd, vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, incest, or sex offenses (Penal Law art. 130 or 263).[1]
- LCTA is not available for murder 1st or art. 130 sex offenses.[1]
- A Time Allowance Committee reviews good time about 4 months before the conditional release date.[1]
Parole eligibility vs. discharge
- Indeterminate: parole eligibility at the minimum (or the merit date). The Board of Parole decides. Conditional release at two-thirds of the maximum is not discretionary.[1]
- Determinate: no parole board discretion. Release is by law at six-sevenths, followed by post-release supervision.[1]
- The Earned Time Act (S342) is pending. See the tracker.
How to find a release date
- Search the official DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup 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
Pending Earned Time Act (S342) pending: up to 1/2 off maximum vs 1/3 today. (tracker checked Oct 16, 2026)
FAQ
How much good time do you get in New York?
Up to one-third off the maximum (indeterminate) or one-seventh (determinate), per DOCCS.
What is merit time in New York?
An extra one-sixth off the minimum (or one-seventh of a determinate term) for eligible nonviolent offenses after completing a GED, a treatment or vocational certificate, or 400 hours of work crew.
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, 8:28 AM MT. Spotted an error? Tell us.
All 50 states + DC · Federal (First Step Act) · Paroling to another state (Interstate Compact)
Sources: NYS DOCCS: Serving a Sentence (good time, merit time, conditional release) · Last verified: · Corrections