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Discipline, write-ups, lost good time and grievances: a guide for families

What happens after a write-up, how hearings and appeals work, how credits are lost and restored, and how to file a grievance on time. With each state's official rules where they are published.

Important: deadlines are strict and differ by state and policy. Missing one often ends the right to appeal. This guide isn't legal advice. Confirm the deadline in the official policy and on the form the person received.

Coverage of this guide

Verified against official sources: 7 states (Idaho, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, Virginia, Texas, Maryland) and federal BOP.

Last source check: 2026-10-21

What's missing: 44 states without verified official information (listed below).

Human-reviewed: not yet

1. What happens after a write-up

  • Staff write a report of the violation, and the person gets written notice. The written notice usually starts the clock.
  • There is usually a hearing before an officer or committee. Depending on the policy, the person can ask for witnesses, present evidence, and ask for help (for example, a staff assistant).
  • The decision and sanction are given in writing. Always ask for a copy.

2. Sanctions and lost good time

  • Sanctions can include lost privileges, segregation, fines or restitution, and loss of credits (good time or earned time). Losing credits can push back the release date.
  • A violation can also affect classification, jobs, programs and parole review.
  • Many states let people earn back lost credits with good conduct. Ask the case manager how it works and get the policy in writing.
  • If a write-up changed the release date, use Check the math to request the official time computation.

3. Appealing a disciplinary decision

  • Read the decision form for the appeal deadline and where to send it.
  • Some states require the appeal to be received by the deadline, not just mailed. Send it as early as possible.
  • Common grounds: deadlines or process rights weren't followed, the evidence wasn't enough, or the sanction doesn't fit the violation. Stick to facts, dates and witness names.
  • Keep a copy of everything and write down the date it was sent.

4. Grievances

  • Most systems have steps: first an informal try (a request to staff or informal grievance), then a formal grievance, then one or two appeals.
  • Each step has its own deadline, often just days. Skipping a step or missing a deadline can get the grievance rejected.
  • Before suing in federal court over prison conditions, federal law requires using all available administrative remedies first (42 U.S.C. 1997e(a)). That's why finishing every grievance step matters.
  • Several of the policies we checked prohibit retaliation for using the grievance process. If it happens, write down dates and facts and grieve that too.

5. What families can do

  • Help keep a record: dates of the write-up, the hearing, the decision and each filing.
  • Find the official policy (links below) and print or mail it, following the facility's mail rules.
  • Don't pay anyone who promises to "erase" a write-up. Appeals and grievances are free.
  • For legal questions, contact the public defender, a legal aid office or a lawyer. See also Ask the Right Office.

What each state publishes (official sources)

Idaho

  • Write-ups: IDOC Standard Operating Procedure 318.02.01.001 (Disciplinary Procedures for Inmates) sets the process. Class A offenses are the most serious; a Disciplinary Offense Report (DOR) must be written for Class A and B offenses.
  • Time limits in the SOP: the DOR is written within 7 days after staff become aware of the violation (10 days if the person is in segregation pending investigation), served within 24 hours after it's signed, and the hearing is held within 7 days of service. The SOP says all time limits may be extended for good cause.
  • Appeal a DOR: within 15 days after the review authority affirms it. The appellate authority reviews it within 15 days.
  • Grievances: SOP 316.02.01.001 has three steps: an Offender Concern Form (staff should answer within 7 days), then a Grievance/Appeal Form, then an appeal. Grievances must be filed within 30 days of the incident, and appeals within 14 days of the decision.
  • The disciplinary SOP says discipline must not be used to retaliate against someone for using the grievance process.

Official source: IDOC SOP 318.02.01.001: Disciplinary Procedures for Inmates (PDF) (opens in new tab) · IDOC SOP 316.02.01.001: Grievance and Informal Resolution Procedure (PDF) (opens in new tab)

Colorado

  • Write-ups: CDOC Administrative Regulation 150-01, the Code of Penal Discipline (COPD), covers charges, hearings, sanctions and appeals.
  • Earned time: AR 625-02 (Earned Time) governs earned time. Earned time is discretionary and can be withheld or lost.
  • Grievances: AR 850-04 (effective March 1, 2026). File Step 1 no later than 30 calendar days from when the person knew, or should have known, the facts. File the next step within 5 calendar days of receiving the written response. Steps 1 and 2 go through the case manager; Step 3 goes to the grievance officer.

Official source: CDOC: Department Policies (AR 150-01, AR 625-02, AR 850-04) (opens in new tab)

Nevada

  • Write-ups: NDOC Administrative Regulation 707 (Offender Disciplinary Process) and AR 707.1 (Offender Disciplinary Manual) set the charges, hearings and sanctions.
  • Lost credits: Nevada law covers forfeiture and restoration of credits (NRS 209.451).
  • Grievances and disciplinary appeals: AR 740 (temporary, July 2026) lists disciplinary appeals among the issues handled through the grievance process. File the Informal Grievance within 10 calendar days for issues such as classification, discipline, mail and food (within 6 months for property, injury, medical or other tort claims). Appeal each level within 5 calendar days of the response. Response times: 45 days (Informal), 45 days (First Level), 60 days (Second Level).

Official source: NDOC: Administrative Regulations, 700 series (AR 707, AR 707.1) (opens in new tab) · NDOC AR 740: Offender Grievance Procedure (PDF) (opens in new tab) · NRS chapter 209 (see NRS 209.451) (opens in new tab)

Oklahoma

  • Write-ups: ODOC OP-060125 (Inmate/Offender Disciplinary Procedures, effective 10/09/2023). The offense report is served within 72 hours, and the hearing is held within 7 days.
  • Appeals: there is no mailbox rule. The appeal must be received by the deadline, not just mailed. The policy also covers restoring revoked earned credits.
  • Grievances: OP-090124. Submit a Request to Staff within 7 days of the incident. The grievance must be received within 15 days of the Request to Staff response.

Official source: ODOC OP-060125: Disciplinary Procedures (PDF) (opens in new tab) · ODOC OP-090124: Grievance Process (PDF) (opens in new tab)

Virginia

  • Write-ups: VADOC Operating Procedure 861.1 (Inmate Discipline, effective September 1, 2023). File a Level I appeal to the Facility Unit Head within 15 calendar days of receiving the copy of the completed Disciplinary Offense Report. An Informal Resolution can't be appealed.
  • Grievances: OP 866.1. File the Written Complaint within 15 days of the incident (or of finding out). The Regular Grievance must be received within 30 days.

Official source: VADOC OP 861.1: Inmate Discipline (PDF) (opens in new tab) · VADOC OP 866.1: Offender Grievance Procedure (PDF) (opens in new tab)

Texas

  • Write-ups: TDCJ GR-106, Disciplinary Rules and Procedures for Inmates (October 2024). It includes a Good Time Loss Limits chart.
  • Appeals: a disciplinary decision is appealed through the inmate grievance procedure (forms I-127, Step 1, and I-128, Step 2).

Official source: TDCJ GR-106: Disciplinary Rules and Procedures (PDF) (opens in new tab) · TDCJ: Inmate Grievance Program (opens in new tab)

Maryland

  • Grievances (Administrative Remedy Procedure): COMAR 12.02.28. File no later than 30 days after the incident, or after first knowing of it. The appeal to the Commissioner must be received within 30 calendar days.

Official source: COMAR 12.02.28: Administrative Remedy Procedure (opens in new tab)

Federal (BOP)

  • Under BOP Program Statement 5270.09, the incident report is ordinarily delivered within 24 hours of staff becoming aware of the incident, and the Unit Discipline Committee (UDC) ordinarily reviews it within 5 work days.
  • More serious cases go to the Discipline Hearing Officer (DHO), who can disallow good conduct time. The person gets written notice at least 24 hours before the DHO hearing.
  • Decisions are appealed through the Administrative Remedy Program (28 CFR part 542). The BP-9 request is due within 20 calendar days of the event. The BP-10 goes to the Regional Director within 20 days of the response, and the BP-11 to the General Counsel within 30 days.

Official source: BOP Program Statement 5270.09: Inmate Discipline Program (PDF) (opens in new tab) · 28 CFR part 542: Administrative Remedy Program (opens in new tab) · 42 U.S.C. 1997e: suits by prisoners (opens in new tab)

Other states

We haven't verified official information for these states yet. Ask the Department of Corrections for its discipline and grievance policies:

General information, not legal advice. Checked 2026-10-21.

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Sources: How we source and verify · Last verified: · Corrections

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