Diminution Credits – Good Time Credits
In Maryland, if you’re incarcerated you will be granted credit for days that reduces the period of incarceration. The credits are called Diminution Credits. It is important to know the difference between the legnth of sentence and an incarceration period/term of confinement, because diminution credits are applied to you “term of confinement.”
The length of sentence is the the time that a judges imposes for a conviction of a charge at sentencing. For multiple convictions, the sentence may be imposed to serve concurrently (meaning all at the same time), consecutively (meaning one sentence after the other) or there may be a mixture of concurrently and conseuctively sentences.
A term of confinement is either the length of your sentence, for a single sentence; or the period of time from the first day of the sentence that begins through the last day of the sentenc that ends last for a concurrent sentence, partially concurrent sentences, consecutive sentences or a combination of concurrent and consecutive sentences.
Diminution credits are granted for good conduct, work tasks, education, and special projects or programs. Good Conduct “Good Time” credit is advanced to an inmate while they are intake as an incentive for future good behavior. All other types of diminution credit are calculated from the first day of participation and on a prorated bases for any portion of a calendar month that applies. (§§3-705 through 3-707 of the Correctional Services Article). All dimunition credits are automatic and not discretionary.
Calcuating Good Conduct “Good Time” Credit
• Sentences imposed before October 1, 1992 qualify for good conduct at the rate of 5 days per month regardless of the offense type.
• Sentences imposed between October 1, 1992 and October 1, 2017 qualify for good conduct at the rate of 5 days per month if the inmate’s term of confinement include sentence at the rate of 5 days per month if the inmate’s term of confinement includes a sentence for a crime of of violence (as defined in Criminal Law Article $140191
• Sentences imposed after October 1, 2017