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SD · Sentence credit rules

South Dakota good time and sentence credit rules

South Dakota sets each person's initial parole date as a percentage of the full term, from a grid based on felony class, violent or nonviolent, and prior felonies. For example, a first Class 4 nonviolent felony is 25%.[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

  • South Dakota does not use monthly good time. DOC sets the initial parole date by applying the grid percentage to the full term minus suspended time.[1]
  • Nonviolent percentages range from 25% to 50%. Violent percentages range from 35% to 75%. Class A and B felonies are 100%.[1]
  • Everyone serves at least 60 days before parole release.[1]

Exclusions and limits

  • Life and death sentences are not eligible, except through the commutation process.[1]
  • For crimes on or after July 1, 2023, offenses under §24-15-4.1 are 100% (no parole), and offenses under §24-15-4.2 are 85% to 100%.[1]
  • The statute includes a list of crimes that count as violent.[1]

Parole eligibility vs. discharge

  • The grid sets the initial parole eligibility date. Release depends on compliance and the Board of Pardons and Paroles process.[1]

How to find a release date

  1. Search the official SD DOC Offender Locator 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.

SD DOC Offender Locator (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 · South Dakota action kit

FAQ

How is parole calculated in South Dakota?

By multiplying the full term (minus suspended time) by a grid percentage under SDCL 24-15A-32. The percentage depends on felony class, violent/nonviolent, and prior felonies.

What changed for crimes after July 1, 2023?

Truth-in-sentencing offenses under §24-15-4.1 (100%) and §24-15-4.2 (85-100%) were added to the grid.

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. SDCL §24-15A-32 (initial parole date grid)

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: SDCL §24-15A-32 (initial parole date grid) · Last verified: · Corrections