Earned Time And Release
Gov't Code 498.003 — good conduct time counts toward parole, not off the sentence
Toward parole, not off the sentence. Good conduct time applies only to eligibility for parole or mandatory supervision and does not otherwise affect an inmate's term. It is a privilege and not a right, and the department may grant it only if the inmate is actively engaged in an agricultural, vocational or educational endeavor, an industrial or other work program, or a treatment program, unless the department finds the inmate is not capable of participating.
| Classification | For each 30 days actually served |
|---|---|
| ClassificationTrusty | For each 30 days actually served20 days, and the department may award not more than 10 extra days |
| ClassificationClass I | For each 30 days actually served20 days |
| ClassificationClass II | For each 30 days actually served10 days |
| ClassificationClass III | For each 30 days actually servedNone |
- Diligent participation in an industrial or other work program, or participation in an agricultural, educational or vocational program, can earn up to 15 days for each 30 days actually served, in an amount the department determines.
- No good conduct time accrues while an inmate is on parole or under mandatory supervision.
- Each inmate is classified on arrival according to conduct, obedience and industry, and reclassified as circumstances warrant. The department may place a new arrival in a time earning category that allows no more than 30 days of good conduct time for each 30 days served.
Losing it. If an inmate commits an offense or violates a rule, the department may forfeit all or part of the accrued good conduct time, or place it in suspension under the department's policy. Forfeited time is not restored, but suspended time may be reinstated. On revocation of parole or mandatory supervision, the inmate forfeits all good conduct time previously accrued. The code as published prints two versions of that subsection, from two acts of the same session, and they differ on whether time forfeited on a revocation may later be restored.
| The sentence | Eligible for parole when |
|---|---|
| The sentenceMost sentences | Eligible for parole whenActual calendar time served plus good conduct time equals one fourth of the sentence or 15 years, whichever is less |
| The sentenceAn offense the section ties to article 42A.054 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the others it lists there | Eligible for parole whenActual calendar time served, without good conduct time, equals one half of the sentence or 30 calendar years, whichever is less, and never less than two calendar years |
| The sentenceA life sentence for a capital felony | Eligible for parole whenActual calendar time served, without good conduct time, equals 40 calendar years |
| The sentenceA sentence of death, life without parole, and the offenses the section lists | Eligible for parole whenNot eligible |
Mandatory supervision. A parole panel orders the release to mandatory supervision of an inmate not on parole when actual calendar time served plus accrued good conduct time equals the term of the sentence, unless the inmate is serving a sentence for, or was previously convicted of, an offense the section lists. An inmate released to mandatory supervision is considered to be released on parole.
When good conduct time is not enough. An inmate may also be kept from mandatory supervision if a parole panel determines that the accrued good conduct time is not an accurate reflection of the inmate's potential for rehabilitation and that release would endanger the public. The panel specifies its reasons in writing, the determination is not subject to administrative or judicial review, and the panel reconsiders the inmate at least twice during the two years after it.
- A parole panel may release an eligible inmate on parole only when arrangements have been made for employment or for maintenance and care, and the panel believes the inmate is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law abiding citizen.
- Parole is ordered only for the best interest of society and not as an award of clemency, and the panel may have the inmate appear before it for an interview.
- Every decision granting or denying parole, or denying mandatory supervision, comes with a written statement in clear and understandable language explaining the decision and the reasons that relate specifically to the inmate, and the inmate is given a copy.
- After a denial, the month set for reconsideration generally begins after the first anniversary of the denial and ends before the fifth.
Statements for or against release. Where a person was a victim of the offense, the victim, a guardian of the victim or a close relative of a deceased victim may provide a written statement to the panel and may appear before board members to present one. The section does not limit the number of persons who may provide written statements for or against the release of an inmate on parole.
Section 508.145 is printed with more than one version of some subsections, from different acts of 2025, and the offenses they list differ. Jail credit, state jail felonies, medically recommended supervision, and the offenses each section lists by number are not on this page. Whether a particular inmate is eligible is a question for a licensed Texas attorney.
Sources for this section (9)
- Gov't Code 498.003 — Accrual of good conduct time
- Gov't Code 508.145 — Eligibility for release on parole; computation of parole eligibility date
- Gov't Code 498.002 — Classification and reclassification
- Gov't Code 498.004 — Forfeiture and restoration of good conduct time
- Gov't Code 508.147 — Release to mandatory supervision
- Gov't Code 508.149 — Inmates ineligible for mandatory supervision
- Gov't Code 508.141 — Authority to consider and order release on parole
- Gov't Code 508.1411 — Notification of parole panel decision
- Gov't Code 508.153 — Statements of victim
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Texas attorney.