How Much of a sentence Do You Serve in California?

In California, most inmates are required to serve 85 percent of their imposed sentence before becoming eligible for release. On a 16 month sentence that works out to approximately 13 and a half months of actual time served.

California moved to the 85 percent rule for most offenses as part of truth in sentencing reforms that eliminated the possibility of serving just half a sentence on many charges. The days of doing a third or half of your time and walking out are largely gone for most offense categories in the state system.

That said, some variables can affect the final number. Presentence credit is applied first, meaning any time already served in county jail while the case was pending gets counted toward the sentence before the 85 percent calculation kicks in. If he spent several months in jail before sentencing that time comes off the top and reduces what remains considerably.

Good behavior credits can also apply, depending on the offense classification. Certain lower-level offenses still carry day-for-day good time credits that can reduce the time served below the 85 percent threshold. The specific charge matters here and his attorney or the facility case manager can clarify exactly which credit-earning rate applies to his case.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation calculates the official release date, and that information lives in his paperwork. InmateAid can help you locate him in the system and monitor his status as that date approaches.