Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) Subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (b) of this section, all sentences, other than a life sentence, imposed for any offense pursuant to any provision of this title, Title 16 and/or Title 21 may be reduced by good time credit under the provisions of this subchapter and rules and regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Corrections. This provision will apply regardless of any previously imposed statutory limitations set forth in this title, Title 16 or Title 21.
(b) The awarding of good time credit set forth in subsection (a) of this section above will not apply to sentences imposed pursuant to § 4214 or § 4204(k) of this title or sentences imposed prior to the enactment of this statute.
(c) “Good time” may be earned for good behavior while in the custody of the Department of Correction when the person has not been guilty of any violation of discipline, rules of the Department or any criminal activity and has labored with diligence toward rehabilitation according to the following conditions:
(1) During the first year of any sentence, good time may be awarded at the rate of 2 days per month beginning on the first day of confinement.
(2) After completing 365 days of any sentence, good time may be awarded at the rate of 3 days per month.
(3) No person shall be awarded more than 36 days of good time under this subsection for good behavior in any 1 year consisting of 365 calendar days actually served.
(d) “Good time” may be earned by participation in education, rehabilitation, work, or other programs as designated by the Commissioner. Good time may be awarded for satisfactory participation in approved programs at a rate of up to 10 days per calendar month. For offenders sentenced on or after August 8, 2012, up to 60 days of additional good time may be awarded for successful completion of an approved program designed to reduce recidivism.
(e) No more than a total of 180 days of “good time” may be earned in any 1 year consisting of 365 days actually served. Good time credits shall be applied such that the resulting release date is not prior to the effective completion date of the offender's approved program. For offenders serving multiple sentences, good time shall be credited to the consolidated time being served, rather than individually to each sentence.
(f) Each person serving a sentence in the custody of the Department shall be provided a copy of all rules, policies, and procedures relating to the accrual and forfeiture of good time, notwithstanding § 4322 of this title, at the person's initial classification and upon transfer to a different facility. The rules, policies, and procedures shall also be made available upon request of a person in custody.
(g) The Department shall provide each person in its custody with a quarterly accounting of that inmate's good time, including the good time accrued each month, total good time accrued, and any good time forfeited, together with the reason therefor. If the inmate believes the accounting is incorrect, the Department shall provide the inmate with an in-person meeting with a correctional counselor or designee to discuss and resolve any alleged discrepancy.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Delaware Code Title 11. Crimes and Criminal Procedure § 4381. Earned good time - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/de/title-11-crimes-and-criminal-procedure/de-code-sect-11-4381/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)