South Carolina good time and sentence credit rules
Most South Carolina sentences earn 20 days of good conduct credit per month. "No parole" offenses earn only 3 days a month and must serve at least 85%.[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
- Good conduct: 20 days per month served for people who follow the rules, except for "no parole offenses."[1]
- No parole offenses: 3 days per month.[1]
- Work and education credits: 0 to 1 day for every 2 days in a productive job or academic/vocational program, up to 180 days a year combined (not for no parole offenses).[1]
Exclusions and limits
Parole eligibility vs. discharge
- 85% rule: people convicted of a no parole offense are not eligible for early release, discharge or community supervision until they serve 85% of the actual term, counted without work, education or good conduct credits.[1]
- For other offenses, credits come off the term of the sentence. Parole is decided separately by the Board of Paroles and Pardons.
How to find a release date
- Search the official SCDC Incarcerated Inmate Search 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
How much good time do you get in South Carolina?
20 days a month for most offenses, or 3 days a month for no parole offenses (§24-13-210). Work and education credits can add up to 180 days a year.
What is the 85% rule in SC?
People convicted of a no parole offense must serve at least 85% of the actual term before early release, with no credits counted toward that 85% (§24-13-150).
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, 8:21 AM MT. Spotted an error? Tell us.
All 50 states + DC · Federal (First Step Act) · Paroling to another state (Interstate Compact)
Sources: S.C. Code ch. 24-13 (§§24-13-210, -230, -150) · Last verified: · Corrections