Release Questions — Ask the Inmate
The days and weeks leading up to a release date are filled with practical questions that the facility is often not equipped to answer clearly. What time will they be released? What do they leave with? What happens if the release date changes? What is the difference between a projected release date and an actual release date? This section covers everything families need to know about the release process including how release dates are calculated, what good time and earned time credits do to the projected date, what an inmate receives upon release, how transportation from the facility works, what the first 24 hours after release typically look like, and how to prepare as a family for the moment the door opens. The guidance here comes from people who have walked out those doors and from families who were waiting on the other side. See also our sections on Halfway House, Parole and Probation, and Re-entry and Rehabilitation.
Related InmateAid Services
If it says 670 days left on the InmateAid inmate profile, that is the adjusted release date with the good time already figured in. Sounds like a 2018 release date.
Read moreMost county jails do not provide transportation or travel funds for short-sentence inmates being released. The standard procedure is that the inmate gets their personal property back and walks out the door. Whether anyone is there to pick them up is up to the family. That said, every county does things a little differently, and some jails have modest provisions for releasing inmates, a bus ticket, a small amount of gate money, or access to a phone to arrange
Read moreWorking straight from the surrender date, five months from September 8 lands on February 8, 2017 as the full-term release date. In the federal system, inmates serve a minimum of 85 percent of their sentence. On a 5-month sentence of roughly 152 days, 85 percent works out to about 129 days, which puts the earliest possible release around January 15, 2017. For sentences under a year, federal good conduct time is prorated and relatively modest, so the difference between
Read moreWe are not sure with these really short sentences. Some get out before the 85% to clear space or save money of the inmate wasn't a problem. If he goes the full time, it's not a big deal.
Read moreThe date is solid as long as nothing disrupts his good time credit between now and then. Good time release dates are calculated based on earned credits accumulated through clean conduct, and those credits can be taken back if an inmate picks up a disciplinary infraction. An incident report that results in a formal finding against him is the main thing that can push that date out. The severity matters too. Minor infractions may result in a small loss
Read moreThis is strictly a guess based on the 85% theory. Release guestimate: February 27, 2017
Read moreThere is no time frame if there is no bail. They can place a "material witness hold" that requires very low standards of proof to hold a witness they say might leave the jurisdiction; flight risk - and it carries has no bail. They are not charging them with a crime, they are claiming that this person has vital information and their testimony is crucial to another case altogether.
Read moreInmates get a good time credit when they begin their sentence. In almost all cases, this is 15%, meaning the offender will do 85% of their time (less halfway house which could be 1 month to 9 months). Parolees wishing to to live in out-of-state will need to get this approved by his Parole Officer, maybe the Board. Transferring out of the jurisdiction will require another agency to handle the case. It can be done, but do not expect it
Read moreThe release date is something every inmate knows. If they are getting a reduction and are waiting for a new out-date, it might take up to two months before it reposts. All calculations are done by the administration under the direction of the Department of Corrections or the Bureau of Prisons
Read moreThis is not an unusual request and it is worth pursuing immediately. With only 23 days remaining on his sentence, there is a reasonable basis for asking for early release or, at a minimum, a supervised temporary release to be at his daughter's bedside. The two people to contact right away are the facility chaplain and his case manager. Start with the chaplain. Chaplains deal with family emergency situations regularly and often have more flexibility and compassion in how
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