Estimate Good Conduct Time (up to 54 days per year), First Step Act earned time credits, and RDAP reductions on a federal prison sentence.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 3624(b), Bureau of Prisons inmates earn up to 54 days of Good Conduct Time per year of the sentence imposed. That means a 10-year sentence with clear conduct earns roughly 540 days of GCT — about 85% time served before any other credits.
On top of GCT, eligible inmates earn First Step Act earned time credits by completing evidence-based programs. Earning rate depends on PATTERN recidivism-risk score. Completing RDAP can reduce a sentence by up to 12 months. See the glossary for definitions.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 3624(b), federal inmates can earn up to 54 days of Good Conduct Time per year of the sentence imposed, awarded at the end of each year and prorated for the final partial year.
Good Conduct Time is calculated on the sentence imposed, not the sentence remaining. In practice most inmates who maintain clear conduct serve about 85% of the imposed sentence before GCT alone.
FSA credits are additional time credits earned by completing evidence-based recidivism reduction programs. Minimum and low PATTERN risk inmates earn faster and can apply credits toward prerelease custody or supervised release.
Yes. Completing the Residential Drug Abuse Program can reduce an eligible inmate's sentence by up to 12 months under 18 U.S.C. § 3621(e).
Educational estimate only — not legal advice. See Terms & Sources.