Texas good time and sentence credit rules
Texas "good conduct time" does not shorten the sentence itself. It only moves up parole eligibility and, for people who qualify, release to mandatory supervision.[1]
Sources last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:17 AM MT. This explains current law. It does not calculate anyone's date.
Credit types and rates
- Good conduct time depends on time-earning class: trusties earn 20 days per 30 days served (plus up to 10 extra days), Class I earns 20 days, and Class II earns 10 days. Class III earns none.[1]
- Up to 15 more days per 30 days served can be earned for diligent work, or for agricultural, educational or vocational programs.[1]
- Good conduct time is "a privilege and not a right." TDCJ can award it only if the person is actively working or in a program, unless they are not able to take part.[1]
- TDCJ can take away (forfeit) good conduct time for a new offense or a rule violation. Forfeited time cannot be restored.[1]
Exclusions and limits
- No parole: death sentences, life without parole, and certain offenses listed in §508.145(a), such as continuous sexual abuse of a child.[2]
- Offenses described in Code of Criminal Procedure art. 42A.054(a) (the "3g" list), and judgments with a deadly-weapon finding: parole eligibility needs actual time served of half the sentence or 30 years, whichever is less, with a 2-year minimum. Good conduct time does not count.[2]
- Mandatory supervision is barred for anyone serving or previously convicted of an offense on the §508.149(a) list (for example murder, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated robbery and 3g offenses).[2]
Parole eligibility vs. discharge
- Parole eligibility: for most other people, eligibility comes when calendar time served plus good conduct time equals one-fourth of the sentence or 15 years, whichever is less.[2] Being eligible does not mean the Board will grant parole.
- Mandatory supervision: for eligible people not on parole, release is required when calendar time plus good conduct time equals the full sentence. A parole panel can still block it if it finds the good time does not reflect rehabilitation and release would endanger the public.[2]
- Discharge: good conduct time "does not otherwise affect an inmate's term." The sentence's end date stays the same.[1]
How to find a release date
- Search the official TDCJ 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
Does good time reduce a Texas sentence?
No. Under Gov't Code §498.003, good conduct time only affects eligibility for parole or mandatory supervision. It does not shorten the sentence.
When is someone eligible for parole in Texas?
For most offenses, it is when calendar time plus good conduct time equals one-fourth of the sentence or 15 years, whichever is less. For 3g and deadly-weapon cases, it is half the sentence or 30 years of actual time (at least 2 years), with no good time counted.
What is mandatory supervision?
It is required release when calendar time plus good time equals the sentence, for people whose offenses are not on the §508.149 list. A parole panel can still deny it on public-safety grounds.
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
- Tex. Gov't Code ch. 498 (good conduct time)
- Tex. Gov't Code ch. 508 (parole and mandatory supervision)
Official statute, regulation, or agency pages only. Last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:17 AM MT. Spotted an error? Tell us.
All 50 states + DC · Federal (First Step Act) · Paroling to another state (Interstate Compact)
Sources: Tex. Gov't Code ch. 498 (good conduct time) · Tex. Gov't Code ch. 508 (parole and mandatory supervision) · Last verified: · Corrections