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.
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Subject: Release questions
Every offender is sent a copy of his or her Master Prison Record document reflecting the calculation of their sentence when the calculation is complete. If there are questions about time computation, offenders housed in state facilities should write the Records Office at his/her assigned facility. For offenders housed in local facilities, he/she is advised they may submit his/her questions in writing following the Administrative Remedy Process. While offenders often ask family members or friends to contact the Office of...
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There are very few places where it is posted (except maybe in federal). What do you know? Do you know where he is incarcerated. Do you know for how long? Normally the release date is 85% of the imposed sentence.
Subject: Release questions
No. When someone is revoked back to custody for a parole violation, the system makes clear that this is the consequence for breaking the conditions they were given. The release date they hand down is the date. Good behavior is expected at that point, not rewarded with early release on top of the revocation.
Parole violations are taken seriously precisely because the person already had the benefit of being out. Going back in for it is a direct consequence of not...
Read moreSubject: Release questions
The letter means that "when he is released", he is to report to the probation Office (by web portal) within 30 days of that. He will most likely not be released earlier than his out-date. That pretty much never happens. One small bit of advice, please tell him that once is is out, that he cannot take the probation officer lightly. He knows what he can and cannot do, where he can and cannot go... and just lay low.
Subject: Release questions
If parole is granted, release typically follows relatively quickly, but the exact timeline varies and several things have to fall into place first.
The two biggest factors are approved housing and confirmed release conditions. The parole board has to have a verified, acceptable address where he will be living, a parole officer assigned in that jurisdiction, and all of the paperwork processed before they will authorize the actual release date. If everything is already in order, release can happen within a...
Read moreSubject: Release questions
VINELink is the tool built exactly for this situation. It stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday, and it is a free service available at vinelink.com that allows victims and concerned parties to register for automatic notifications when an offender's custody status changes, including when they are released, transferred, or escape. You can sign up to receive alerts by email, phone, or text. This is the most reliable way to make sure you are not the last person to know.
Beyond...
Read moreSubject: Release questions
Unless there is massive overcrowding, the release date normally facotrs in the good time credits - so that date is when they'll most probably get out
Subject: Release questions
This is serious, and it can affect his release date, but it depends on how the escape is handled.
Walking away or escaping from a halfway house is still considered an escape from custody, even though it is a lower security setting.
What could happen:
If treated as a minor violation:
He could lose privileges or good time
He might still be released close to the original date
If treated seriously (which is common):
He could be charged with escape
His release date could be pushed back
He may be returned to...
Read moreSubject: Release questions
Not unless something decisive happens at the hearing. A routine court date where no final decision is rendered does not result in release. He will be transported to court, the hearing will take place, and he will be returned to the facility the same day. The release date stays at October 11.
The only scenario where a court appearance leads to immediate release is if the judge takes action that ends the incarceration, such as dismissing the charges, ordering time served,...
Read moreSubject: Release questions
Yes, they are different, and it is easy to confuse them.
Out date:
This is the expected release date. It reflects when the system currently shows the inmate should be released, based on:
Sentencing
Time served
Credits or holds
Keep in mind, this date can change if something in the case changes.
Update (or update date):
This is not a release date. It simply means something in the inmate’s record was changed or reviewed. That could be:
A new court date added
A charge updated
A bond or hold change
Administrative updates
So when you...
Read moreSubject: Release questions
In most cases, yes, he will serve close to the full 25 days, but there can be small variations.
Here is how it usually works:
Short sentences like 25 days:
There is often little or no time off for good behavior
Some facilities may apply a small amount of credit, but it is not significant on such a short sentence
Possible ways he could get out a little earlier:
Good time credit (if the facility applies it to short sentences)
Overcrowding or administrative release (not guaranteed)
Transfer to immigration custody (ICE) before the full...
Read moreSubject: Release questions
This happens more often than people think, and it is usually not as serious as it looks.
If the inmate has official paperwork showing a release date, that is what matters most. Internal records and signed documents are what the facility actually uses, not the public website.
Why the online date might change:
Database updates that lag behind real time processing
Automatic recalculations triggered by transfers, audits, or clerical updates
Temporary holds or flags that get entered and later removed
Simple data entry errors
Public inmate locator systems...
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the facility has that information, ask to speak to the case manager
Subject: Release questions
He needs to wake up and go see the counselor himself. If there is a hold, he HAS to be informed. We would be surprised if he didn't know already (and maybe doesn't want to tell you). The way it works is when you are so close to the door (8 months is short time), your counselor is meeting with you at least twice a month. They are gathering information to position the release, approve the next residence, etc. If...
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Milestone credits are a program in the California state prison system (CDCR) for non-violent, second strike drug offenders.
Prior to 2014, non-violent second strikers were given 20% credit for the time they served, but that number was increased to 33.3% last year. For example, under the previous system, an inmate sentenced to one year in prison would have been eligible for release after 304 days, however, under the new system the same inmate would now be eligible for release after serving...
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