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WV · Sentence credit rules

West Virginia good time and sentence credit rules

West Virginia gives eligible prisoners one day of good time for each day served, counted against the maximum or fixed term.[1]

Sources last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:19 AM MT. This explains current law. It does not calculate anyone's date.

Credit types and rates

  • Each eligible inmate gets 1 day of good time for each day incarcerated. Jail time credited by the sentencing court counts.[1]
  • Good time is deducted from the maximum term of an indeterminate sentence, or from the fixed term of a determinate sentence.[1]
  • Consecutive sentences are added together and treated as one sentence for good time.[1]

Exclusions and limits

  • Life sentences earn no good time.[1]
  • People committed under §25-4-1 et seq. (young adult offender centers) or §62-12-26 (supervised release) are not covered.[1]
  • Good time can be lost for disciplinary violations under the commissioner's rules.[1]

Parole eligibility vs. discharge

  • Good time sets the minimum discharge date (the maximum term minus good time). Each person gets a statement with their sentence and minimum discharge date.[1] Parole eligibility on indeterminate sentences is decided separately by the Parole Board.

How to find a release date

  1. Search the official WV DCR Offender Search 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.

WV DCR Offender Search (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 · West Virginia action kit

FAQ

How much good time do you get in West Virginia?

One day for each day served (day-for-day), deducted from the maximum or fixed term (§15A-4-17).

Does a life sentence get good time in WV?

No.

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. W. Va. Code §15A-4-17 (good time)

Official statute, regulation, or agency pages only. Last checked Oct 16, 2026, 8:19 AM MT. Spotted an error? Tell us.

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Sources: W. Va. Code §15A-4-17 (good time) · Last verified: · Corrections